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Minnesota Vikings News & Rumors

Draft Notes: Sternberger, Jets, Thorson

March 31st, 2019 at 12:23pm CST by Rory Parks

The Patriots are on the lookout for tight end help in the wake of Rob Gronkowski‘s retirement, and the club will have a top-30 visit with Texas A&M TE Jace Sternberger, per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. The Pats could use their No. 32 overall pick on a tight end, and while that may be a little high for Sternberger, top prospects Noah Fant and T.J. Hockenson may be off the board by that point. Alabama’s Irv Smith Jr. could be available, though, and there is no reason why New England, which has deployed two tight ends to great effect in the past, could not use several of its 12 picks in this year’s draft on the tight end position.

Now for more draft-related rumblings from around the league:

  • In addition to the Patriots, Wilson reports that Sternberger has visits lined up with the Chiefs, Packers, Lions, Cowboys, Vikings, and Seahawks.
  • Brian Costello of the New York Post does not believe that the Jets will invest high-end draft capital on the WR, RB, or TE positions this year in light of their free agent expenditures, but he still thinks the club could bolster those units with collegiate prospects. He suggests that Gang Green could use a middle- or late-round selection on a wideout, particularly if that player offers return ability, and he thinks a Day 3 blocking tight end and power back could also be in the cards. Of course, with only six draft picks at the moment, New York may need to focus on areas of greater need.
  • Penn State DE Shareef Miller will visit with the Ravens, Cardinals, and Jets, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Miller currently projects as a Day 3 pick, but all three clubs could use pass rushing help, and Miller has the raw ability to succeed as a 4-3 DE or 3-4 OLB.
  • The Broncos may be hosting some of the top QBs in this year’s draft class, but they’re looking at more under-the-radar passers as well, as Mike Klis of 9News.com tweets that Denver will be working out Northwestern QB Clayton Thorson in early April. Thorson is expected to be a middle-round selection.
  • Valdosta State CB Stephen Denmark has top-30 visits lined up with the Browns and Saints, per Wilson (via Twitter).

Details On Josh Kline's Contract With Vikings

March 30th, 2019 at 9:58pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg
  • The Vikings signed guard Josh Kline last week to bolster their offensive line, and now we have details on the contract. The Vikings guaranteed Kline $7.25MM at signing, according to Ben Goessling of The Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Goessling reports that the Vikings now have less than $3MM in cap space, and will now need to make some maneuvers in order to be able to sign their draft class next month. The Vikings’ offensive line was a weak spot last year, and they’ll be counting on Kline to give them a boost. Kline received average marks from Pro Football Focus last year, grading out as their 50th-best guard.

Vikings Interested In DT Ra’Shede Hageman

March 27th, 2019 at 5:36pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Defensive tackle Ra’Shede Hageman hasn’t seen the field in two years due to a myriad of off-field issues, but the Vikings and four other unidentified clubs have reached out to express interest in the former second-round pick, according to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press.

Hageman is still only 28 years old, but he hasn’t been heard from since being cut by Atlanta in September of 2017. After being arrested on domestic violence charges in 2016, Hageman was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list prior to the 2017 campaign. The Falcons subsequently waived Hageman, and he was then handed a six-week suspension by the NFL, a ban which he fulfilled as a free agent. Hageman was arrested again last June for suspicion of fourth-degree driving while impaired.

“It’s been one heck of a two years sitting out and just watching my fellow teammates play, but it’s definitely a learning experience,” Hageman said. “The whole process is just getting back in everybody’s ear (with NFL teams) about me staying out of trouble. You can’t beat around the bush. They obviously want to see consistency with me. I’m letting everybody know that my past is my past.”

Based on talent alone, it’s perhaps not surprising that Hageman would be given a second chance. The Falcons clearly had high hopes for Hageman after using the 37th overall selection in the 2014 draft on the ex-Minnesota standout, and the club’s coaching staff was reportedly enamored with his progress in February 2017. All told, Hageman appeared in 44 of Atlanta’s 48 regular-season games and combined for 15 starts during his three-year tenure with the club.

Hageman has drawn free agent interest before, as he was linked to the Seahawks and Patriots (the latter of whom put him through a workout) last spring. The Vikings would offer a homecoming of sorts for Hageman, and the club could use a defensive tackle after losing Sheldon Richardson to the Browns.

Vikings To Meet With QB Sean Mannion

March 26th, 2019 at 5:46pm CST by Sam Robinson

After seeing their 2018 backup sign with the Jets, the Vikings have a need behind Kirk Cousins. They will explore a replacement option this week.

The Vikings are planning to meet with Sean Mannion at some point this week, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. Mannion was viewed as a possible Trevor Siemian contingency plan. Siemian signed with the Jets last week.

Mannion has only thrown 53 career passes, having backed up Jared Goff the past two seasons. Blake Bortles will now assume that position. A 26-year-old Oregon State product, Mannion spent four years with the Rams after arriving as a third-round pick in 2015. Mannion’s most significant audition came in Week 17 of the 2017 season, when Sean McVay rested his starters. His then-backup quarterback completed 20 of 34 passes for 169 yards. No other teams have been linked to Mannion thus far in free agency.

While Minnesota wants to add a veteran to work as Cousins’ backup, Mike Zimmer did not rule out 2017 UDFA Kyle Sloter or a to-be-determined rookie filling that role, per Tomasson. Sloter, a Broncos UDFA the Vikings added on waivers in 2017, has yet to throw an NFL pass. Siemian also threw zero passes as a Viking. Cousins took all the snaps for the Vikings last season.

Vikings Extend GM Rick Spielman

March 26th, 2019 at 3:55pm CST by Zachary Links

The Vikings have extended the contract of GM Rick Spielman, owner Mark Wilf says (Twitter link via Chad Graff of The Athletic). Spielman, like head coach Mike Zimmer, is now under contract through the 2020 season.

The Vikings have acquired and locked up much of their core under Spielman. Key players such as Danielle Hunter, quarterback Kirk Cousins, running back Dalvin Cook, wide receiver Adam Thielen, offensive tackle Riley Reiff, center Pat Elflein, linebacker Eric Kendricks, safety Harrison Smith, cornerback Xavier Rhodes, and defensive end Everson Griffen are all under contract through 2020 and beyond.

Spielman, 56, spent six years as the team’s vice president of player personnel before being promoted to GM in 2012. Since then, the team has seen its fair share of ups and downs, including last year’s disappointing 8-7-1 finish. Still, the talent is there, and the Vikings have the potential to contend in 2019.

Vikings Hosted OL Tyler Shatley

March 24th, 2019 at 4:05pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Vikings met with free agent interior offensive lineman Tyler Shatley on Friday, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (Twitter link). Shatley’s visit didn’t end with a deal, but an accord between the two parties is still possible, tweets Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Minnesota has not yet offered Shatley a contract, although they have proposed a pact to fellow free agent Brett Jones, per Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN (Twitter link).

Minnesota is set to experience significant turnover along its offensive line. Mike Remmers and Tom Compton, each of whom played more than 75% of the Vikings’ snaps in 2018, are both gone, as is Nick Easton, who started 12 games in 2017 before missing all of last season with injury. Jones, too, is a free agent, and he’s drawn interest from the Seahawks, Eagles, Jets, and Chiefs in addition to the Vikings.

While they’ve lost several members of their front five, the Vikings have also made one addition, signing former Titans starter Josh Kline to a three-year deal worth $15.75MM. Minnesota is likely set at four of its five offensive line positions with Riley Reiff at left tackle, Pat Elflein at center, Kline at right guard, and Brian O’Neill at right tackle, but the club still needs help at left guard, where Danny Isidora is currently the projected starter.

Shatley, 27, has the ability to play both guard and center, and started 15 games for the Jaguars over the past three seasons. An undrafted free agent in 2014, Shatley played 543 snaps in Jacksonville last year, filling in at center while starter Brandon Linder was sidelined. Pro Football Focus graded Shatley as the NFL’s No. 26 center among 39 qualifiers.

George Iloka Unlikely To Return To Vikings

March 23rd, 2019 at 12:28pm CST by Ben Levine

George Iloka has been relatively busy as a free agent, but it sounds like he won’t be returning to Minnesota. Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News in Minnesota reports (via Twitter) that while the two sides met at the combine, it’s unlikely the safety returns to the Vikings.

Iloka has met with the Cowboys and Raiders this offseason, with his ability to play both free and strong safety making him a commodity. David Moore of the Dallas Morning News writes that the 28-year-old ultimately left Dallas without a deal, and we can assume the same about his previous visit with Oakland.

Iloka was a starter for the bulk of his career with the Bengals, but played mostly in a reserve role for the Vikings last year. In 16 games (three starts), the defensive back compiled 16 tackles and one forced fumble. However, he’s only one year removed from an 80-tackle campaign.

Wolfson also notes that the Vikings have not extended an offer to free agent wideout Aldrick Robinson, and the team is looking for other options at receiver. Robinson finished last season with 17 receptions for 231 yards and five scores.

Vikings To Sign Josh Kline

March 20th, 2019 at 4:15pm CST by Zachary Links

The Vikings seem to have found their replacement for Nick Easton. On Wednesday, the team agreed to sign offensive lineman Josh Kline, according to a source who spoke with ESPN.com’s Courtney Cronin (on Twitter). It’ll be a three-year, $15.75MM deal when all is said and done.

[RELATED: Vikings Re-Sign Dan Bailey]

Kline signed a four-year, $26MM deal ($12MM guaranteed) with the Titans last offseason, but the team moved on from him after he rejected a pay cut earlier this month. The lineman started all 16 games in 2018, although the advanced metrics imply that he took a step back from his previous seasons. After rating as a fringe top-20 guard in 2017, Pro Football Focus graded Kline 50th among 77 eligible guards in 2018.

The Vikings need some reinforcement on the offensive line, which is exactly what Kline can provide. At the moment, it appears that he’ll be in line to serve as the team’s starting right guard.

Interestingly, his new deal gives him a comparable average annual value to his previous deal, so he probably made the right call by rejecting the Titans’ push for a pay cut.

Contract Details: Ingram, Suggs, Kendricks

March 19th, 2019 at 10:52pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are the latest details from some agreed-upon contracts during the second wave of free agency. All links courtesy of the Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson, unless otherwise noted.

Jets To Meet With Trevor Siemian

March 19th, 2019 at 6:53pm CST by Sam Robinson

Trevor Siemian will travel east to meet with the Jets about their backup job, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter). This meeting will occur Wednesday.

The Vikings are interested in keeping Siemian as their backup, but the first-time free agent has a few teams interested, Garafolo adds. The Jets have been connected to Siemian for a while now.

Siemian was on their radar a year ago, with the team connected to the then-Broncos quarterback via trade. New York had already re-signed Josh McCown and added Teddy Bridgewater, leading to Minnesota’s trade acquisition. In 2017, when some brief Tony Romo-to-Denver smoke surfaced, rumors of Jets-Siemian interested emerged. But Siemian returned as the Broncos’ 2017 starter.

Now that Siemian’s a free agent and McCown is considering retirement, the Jets are exploring this addition for a third straight offseason.

Siemian did not appear in a Vikings game last season; Kirk Cousins took every snap for Minnesota. Siemian, 27, fared better as the 2016 Broncos’ starter, with Peyton Manning‘s immediate successor leading the team to a 9-7 record and throwing 18 touchdown passes compared to 10 interceptions. In 2017, he rated as one of the NFL’s worst quarterbacks, prompting the Broncos to abandon their unusual experiment with the former seventh-round pick.

Should Siemian defect to the Jets or sign with another team, the Vikings are interested in recent Rams backup Sean Mannion, Garafolo adds. The Rams just added Blake Bortles to be Jared Goff‘s backup. Mannion, who has thrown 53 career passes, is a free agent.

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