Breaking Down the Contract Needed to Re-Sign Every Minnesota Vikings Free Agent

The Minnesota Vikings approach the new season with an ample supply of unsigned players. The team will review its own class of 14 free agents against needs that can also be addressed in the external market or through the upcoming NFL draft.

According to Tom Pelissero of 1500 ESPN, the Vikings will have approximately $14 million of salary cap space—this includes an incentive payment to cornerback Antoine Winfield and the release of wide receiver Michael Jenkins by March 16.

The Vikings will consider several external free agents at top-need positions, including wide receiver, linebacker, defensive back and backup quarterback. With that said, the front office will only be able to afford players who can contribute to the team at a reasonable price.

The following outlines the estimated contracts, including any bonuses, to re-sign every Vikings free agent. This is not a recommendation to do so in aggregate, but rather a breakdown of each player and the contract terms needed to bring them back to the team in 2013.

WR Devin Aromashodu

2012 Cap Hit: $540,000

Status: Unrestricted Free Agent

Aromashodu has five years of professional experience, bouncing from practice squad to starting lineup. Originally signed by Miami in the 2006 NFL draft, the 28-year-old has played for the Colts, Texans, Redskins and Bears before joining the Vikings in 2011.

He's a smart player with a strong work ethic, but Aromashodu has not performed well in Minnesota. He has just 37 catches for 650 yards and one touchdown in his past two seasons with the team.

Having signed consecutive one-year contracts with the Vikings already, a similar deal is the only option for the wide receiver staying with the team. All signs point to Aromashodu exiting Minnesota for 2013, but he would be a cheap option to add depth to the receiving corps.

Contract Terms: 1 year / $715,000

C Joe Berger

2012 Cap Hit: $1.89 million

Status: Unrestricted Free Agent

Berger was a solid backup at guard and center in 2011, but was not needed last year due to the health of the offensive line. The 6'5", 305-pound reserve previously signed a two-year, $2.678 million contract with the Vikings.

That type of deal seems a bit rich this time around, with the team more likely to extend a one-year contract to the versatile 30-year-old lineman. With other options available and more pressing needs for the Vikings' salary cap dollars, this signing will not be a top priority.

Contract Terms: 1 year / $1.5 million

LB Jasper Brinkley

2012 Cap Hit: $611,500

Status: Unrestricted Free Agent

Brinkley had a strong season in 2012, starting 15 games and recording 99 tackles. This was a recovery year following a hip injury in 2011. The 27-year-old is an above-average defender against the run, but struggles in nickel defenses against the pass. He only defended three passes in 2012 and did not record a sack.

The Vikings have several linebackers to consider in order to complement Chad Greenway. Brinkley could be a relatively inexpensive option, adding depth to the position even if the team decides to pursue other options in the draft or external market. Brinkley previously signed a four-year, $1.936 million contract and will be expecting an increased contract offer.

Contract Terms: 2 years / $4 million

FB Jerome Felton

2012 Cap Hit: $700,000

Status: Unrestricted Free Agent

Felton was selected to his first Pro Bowl this past season, blocking in front of Adrian Peterson, who went on to rush for 2,097 yards. It's clear AD wants to keep running behind the 6'0", 248-pound fullback—and Rick Spielman shares in the sentiment (via Tom Pelissero of 1500 ESPN). The question will be: At what price?

In comparison to the market, Vonta Leach of the Texans is the NFL's highest-paid fullback, signing a three-year, $11 million contract in 2011. Felton should be a higher priority than most Vikings free agents this offseason, and he would be a significant hit to the team's ground attack if he walks. Expect the Vikings to pay top market value if they plan to keep him.

Contract Terms: 3 years / $12 million

LB Erin Henderson

2012 Cap Hit: $2 million

Status: Unrestricted Free Agent

Henderson signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Vikings in 2012. The team has been unwilling to sign the linebacker to a multi-year deal, something the 26-year-old was not happy about last season. In a commonly referred to "prove-it" year, Henderson had 80 tackles and three sacks.

Similar to Brinkley, Henderson struggles in pass coverage and is better suited as a run defender. It seems unlikely the Vikings will bring back both players, so the team will have to decide whom to target more aggressively.

Henderson is a year younger than Brinkley and has five years of NFL experience versus three. Ultimately, Henderson will require an additional year on his contract to stay in Minnesota.

Contract Terms: 3 years / $10 million

CB A.J. Jefferson

2012 Cap Hit: $540,000

Status: Restricted Free Agent

One of only two restricted free agents for the Vikings this offseason, Jefferson may draw interest in the open market. He played well for the injured Chris Cook last year, blending size and speed at cornerback.

As a restricted free agent, the Vikings must make a qualifying offer to Jefferson to earn the right of first refusal and compensation. In other words, if the three-year player receives a competing offer from another team, the Vikings can either match it and retain Jefferson or refuse and receive a compensatory draft pick.

According to Albert Breer of NFL.com, here are the qualifying offers (or tenders) for 2013:

First round: $2.879 million
Second round: $2.023 million
Original round: $1.323 million

As an undrafted player, the Vikings will not offer an original-round tender, which would leave the team with no compensatory draft pick if they refuse a competing offer. Instead, the team should take the middle ground with a second-round draft pick as backup compensation.

Contract Terms: 1 year / $2.023 million (second-round tender)

OT Troy Kropog

2012 Cap Hit: $0 ($630,000 not rewarded)

Status: Restricted Free Agent

Kropog did not play a snap in the NFL in 2012, signing with the Vikings' practice squad in September and joining the 53-man roster after Percy Harvin went on injured reserve.

Considered a highly regarded prospect out of Tulane, Kropog was drafted by the Titans in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL draft before being released last year. He may not be a household name, but the 6'6", 310-pound offensive tackle impressed the Vikings enough to promote him to the active roster in an effort to prevent other teams from signing him.

Expect the Vikings to offer the lowest qualifying offer, providing the team a fourth-round draft pick if Kropog receives a competing offer and Minnesota refuses to match.

Contract Terms: 1 year / $1.323 million (original-round tender)

OT Phil Loadholt

2012 Cap Hit: $918,750

Status: Unrestricted Free Agent

Loadholt is coming off a four-year, $3.425 million contract and is the only player that the Vikings may consider for the franchise or transition tag. However, the cost to do so for a right tackle is rather steep, making it doubtful the team will go that route.

The franchise tag costs $9.66 million and the transition tag—which would allow Loadholt to receive a competing offer the Vikings can match—costs $8.56 million.

Originally a left tackle out of Oklahoma, Loadholt has made a successful switch across center in the NFL and has been a consistent presence on the Vikings' offensive line. Other than one game in 2009 due to a leg injury, the 27-year-old has started every game in his four-year career. True to his name, Loadholt is a towering force at 6'8", 343 pounds.

Contract Terms: 4 years / $20 million

LB Marvin Mitchell

2012 Cap Hit: $725,000

Status: Unrestricted Free Agent

Mitchell was brought on to the Vikings in 2012 after four years with the Saints and one year with the Dolphins as a special teams player. He played in 11 games for Minnesota, starting one at linebacker. He recorded 10 tackles and had one forced fumble.

Although Mitchell adds depth at the linebacker position, it's unlikely the Vikings will bring him back for 2013, focusing its attention on Brinkley and Henderson. The only possible option for Mitchell will be the league minimum for salary.

Contract Terms: 1 year / $715,000

S Jamarca Sanford

2012 Cap Hit: $627,318

Status: Unrestricted Free Agent

Sanford has primarily been a backup safety and special teams player over his four years with the Vikings. He was promoted to a full-time starter in 2011 and struggled in the role. He allowed 20 completions in 31 targets (64.5 percent) for 344 yards and eight touchdowns.

In 2012, Sanford improved in the secondary when playing for the injured Mistral Raymond. He had four forced fumbles and 66 tackles in 13 games started.

Despite the improvement, Sanford still provides the most value on special teams. The Vikings will likely re-sign the former seventh-round draft pick for depth at safety and his special teams play.

Contract Terms: 1 year / $715,000

OT Geoff Schwartz

2012 Cap Hit: $1.5 million

Status: Unrestricted Free Agent

Schwartz played his college days in Oregon and was drafted in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL draft by the Panthers. He started all 16 games at right tackle for Carolina in 2010, but missed all of 2011 with a hip injury.

The 26-year-old joined the Vikings last year and played some snaps at right guard. However, Schwartz did not start a game in 2012, something the lineman has voiced he wants to do in 2013.

With potential interest from other teams, it would be a surprise for the Vikings to re-sign Schwartz. If they do make an offer, they'll likely scale back some of the miscellaneous bonus money he received last year.

Contract Terms: 1 year / $1 million

S Andrew Sendejo

2012 Cap Hit: $540,000

Status: Exclusive Rights Free Agent

Sendejo has two years of NFL experience and is not under contract in 2013, making him an exclusive rights free agent. He had six tackles in 13 games played for the Vikings last year after playing in the UFL in 2010 and bouncing around with the Cowboys and Jets.

The Vikings simply have to offer Sendejo the league minimum for a three-year player and no other team can counter.

Contract Terms: 1 year / $630,000

CB Marcus Sherels

2012 Cap Hit: $465,000

Status: Exclusive Rights Free Agent

Sherels is also an exclusive rights free agent, expected to receive the same offer as Sendejo.

The Minnesota-native was impressive as a punt-returner last year, scoring on a 77-yard return in a win against Detroit. He has performed well on special teams and will most likely be brought back by the Vikings for that exact reason.

As a reserve defender, Sherels has struggled in the backfield. With injuries to Antoine Winfield and Chris Cook last year, the 5'10", 175-pound cornerback was thrown into defensive schemes and was not prepared.

Hopefully for Vikings fans, the secondary can stay healthy allowing Sherels to excel exclusively on special teams.

Contract Terms: 1 year / $630,000

WR Jerome Simpson

2012 Cap Hit: $2 million

Status: Unrestricted Free Agent

Simpson joined the Vikings in 2012 with high expectations. The former Bengal was a strong No. 2 receiver in 2011, hauling in 50 receptions for 725 yards and four touchdowns. Fans may remember him most for an acrobatic touchdown flip into the endzone.

Unfortunately, Simpson didn't bring that level of excitement to Minnesota. After sitting out three games at the beginning of the season for drug-related charges, he only showed minimal flashes of potential with some of his best plays coming on pass interference calls.

In order to return to the Vikings in 2013, Rick Spielman will need to be convinced the 27-year-old can improve upon his numbers last year—26 catches for 274 yards and zero touchdowns. If he returns, it will most likely be in a reduced role off the bench.

Contract Terms: 1 year / $1.5 million

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