While the Vikings must determine this offseason what to do with expensive veterans like Chad Greenway, Greg Jennings and that Adrian Peterson fella, the organization won't have to brace for any significant departures in free agency.
Of the players who made it onto the active roster this season, the Vikings will have only 10 free agents. Fullback Jerome Felton will make it 11 if he opts out of his contract in February. He is just one of two Week 1 starters who could reach unrestricted free agency, though several other key reserves who were forced to step into starting spots could become free agents as well.
In the coming weeks, we will dive into the likelihood of whether these pending free agents will be back in 2015. But for now, here's a list of the Vikings' free agents with a quick blurb on each.
RB Matt Asiata: A rare restricted free agent, Asiata shared the backfield with rookie Jerick McKinnon after Peterson was lost. The coaching staff likes him, so he should be tendered.
OL Joe Berger: I can count on one hand how many times I wrote Berger's name in training camp, but the backup lineman showed his value by starting nine games after injuries at guard.
MLB Jasper Brinkley: Brinkley came back to the Vikings in 2014 on a cheap one-year deal. The Vikings need to find a three-down middle linebacker to start, but Brinkley could still have a role here.
OL Vlad Ducasse: Ducasse, a backup guard, ended up starting six games but struggled. The Vikings have to hope rookie guard David Yankey will be ready to step up into a larger role instead.
FB Jerome Felton: Felton is not a free agent yet. He technically still has a year on his contract. But with the team expected to cut him and go with Zach Line, he says he plans to opt out first.
