Minnesota Vikings Free Agency 2012: Best Free-Agent Fits at Positions of Need

Much has been made about the depth of the 2012 free-agent class. It seems a pro-bowl caliber player can be had at every position. This bodes well when you're a fan of a team such as the Minnesota Vikings.

Coming off its worst season since 1984, the Vikings have plenty of holes to fill on both sides of the ball. Rookie QB Christian Ponder barely had time to finish a 5-step drop before opposing defenses had him in their grasps.

Defensively, Jared Allen's team record 22 sacks is even more impressive when you consider how bad the secondary truly was. The unit finished in the bottom five in every major statistical passing category including: yards allowed, completion percentage and interceptions.

The Vikings could realistically use an upgrade at every position besides center, running back, and right defensive end. However, some positions are more pressing needs.

It seems like a forgone conclusion at this point that Minnesota will draft USC LT Matt Kalil to shore up one position of dire need, but more replacements are needed.

These needs will need to be met using financial creativity because, due to their salary-cap situation, betting the house on one big name free agent is not a wise move for the future of the organization.

The Vikings currently have around $10 million in cap space, and cutting veterans like Anthony Herrera, Cedric Griffin, Steve Hutchinson, and others could push that number towards $30 million.

Wide Reciever:

This is likely the Vikings' biggest need, and luckily it happens to be free agency's deepest position this year. Many of the big name targets, including DeSean Jackson and Dwayne Bowe, have been franchised by their respective teams, but there are still many good options for the Vikings.

Many fans are clamoring for the team to spend big money to lure in a player such as Vincent Jackson or Marques Colston. However, spending upwards of $8 million on one player would be detrimental to this teams rebuild.

Instead, fans should be looking at the second-tier guys, including Robert Meachem, Pierre Garcon and Mario Manningham. These players will cost significantly less ($5-7 million range) and are younger than Jackson and Colston, providing a better outlook for the future.

One other option would be signing the Steelers' restricted free-agent receiver Mike Wallace to an offer sheet. The Steelers would have the right to match any offer submitted to Wallace, but he is the only WR I would feel comfortable signing to a hefty contract.

Of course, if the Vikings were to sign Wallace away from Pittsburgh, they would have to relinquish their #3 overall pick in the upcoming draft, but if the Vikings were told they were guaranteed to get a player of Wallace's ability with the No. 3 pick, they would jump on him in a heartbeat.

The problem with signing Wallace is that the team would still have a large hole on the offensive side of the ball at LT.

In the end, signing Meachem, Manningham or Garcon would be best for this team both now and in the future.

Safety

Any way the Vikings tried to slice it last season, a two-man combination of Tyrell Johnson, Jamarca Sanford, Mistral Raymond, and Husain Abdullah just did not cut it at safety.

New defensive coordinator Alan Williams will still employ the Tampa-2 system, but fans often get caught up in the system's name. The scheme does not mean the team will run cover-2 all the time, or even 50 percent of the time.

So when the Vikings are searching for a safety this offseason, do not be surprised to hear the names of guys who are not seen as fit for the "Tampa-2" system.

With the recent photos that have surfaced showcasing LaRon Landry's Hercules-like build, one can understand why fans will be drooling over potentially landing the star safety.

But buyer-beware, Landry has had numerous injuries during the last few seasons and will demand top-five money for a safety, in the range of $7-8 million.

Getting Landry would most certainly help the Vikings' secondary improve in 2012, but other, cheaper options are available and should be seriously considered.

The first player the Vikings should look at is Atlanta's Thomas DeCoud, who is a highly underrated player who excels in both pass coverage and tackling, and could be had for a few million less than Landry.

Other safeties who could join the team in 2012 include Tennessee's Chris Hope, Cincinnati's Reggie Nelson, and Tampa Bay's Tanard Jackson.

Cornerback

Injuries and off-the-field problems plagued this position for the Vikings in 2011. Antoine Winfield and Chris Cook were both performing well before their respective problems sidelined them for the season.

Cedric Griffin has not recovered from back-to-back knee surgeries, while Asher Allen is little more than a third or fourth option. This position will need to be upgraded, not only in free-agency, but also on the second day of the draft.

Most Vikings fans have heard the team being connected to Tennessee's Cortland Finnegan, but the star CB is rumored to want an annual salary upwards of $10 million. Signing a free agent to a contract that big is a detriment to rebuilding an organization.

The Vikings should also be wary of spending big money on Brandon Carr and Carlos Rogers.

Instead, the team should take a hard look at former Giants CB Aaron Ross. He played extremely well for the Super Bowl champions last year, and was lights out during the Super Bowl itself.

Ross is currently flying under the radar, and may be had for much less than his value. His game would transition very well to the Vikings' zone-based coverage scheme.

Other free-agent CBs Vikings fans should keep an eye on include Terrell Thomas, Zack Bowman, Tim Jennings, and Jason Allen.

Conclusion

A dream scenario for the Vikings in the coming weeks would include at least one starter signed from each of the three groups listed. Doing this, plus adding Kalil during the draft, would go a long way towards competing for the playoffs within the next two seasons.

Personally, I believe the combination of Robert Meachem, Aaron Ross and Thomas DeCoud could bring this team back to relevance in 2012.

Will this happen? Probably not. Can a fan dream? Most certainly!