VikesCentric: Vikings wish list

With everyone out shopping this weekend, snapping up "Black Friday" door-buster mega deals, it got me wondering what – or more specifically who – should be on the Vikings' wish list. They might want to make a run at some free agents in the spring just a year in advance of their new stadium opening. Who are the targets?

The Vikings should feel motivated to jump into free agency. They won't have enough draft picks to plug every hole in this roster, Mike Zimmer is going to want to bring in more of "his guys" and, as mentioned above, there are season tickets and personal seat licenses to sell in the new stadium.

Also, there's a chance that the Vikings could have some extra money to throw around should they make the business decision to release Adrian Peterson or at least restructure his deal. They'll have some leverage in that regard.

Anyway, since it's probably at least one week early to even attempt the earliest of "early" mock drafts, I decided to scan the horizon for some of the notable players set to hit the unrestricted free agency market in March.

We'll start with the offense and make this a two-part series, with (you guessed it) defense in part two.

Should the Vikings pay what it might cost to land any of these guys?

Quarterback

Brian Hoyer

Ryan Mallet

Michael Vick

Mark Sanchez

Jake Locker

Colt McCoy

Shaun Hill

Austin Davis

Christian Ponder

Of the above guys, my guess is the only one that seems like a fit for the Vikings is Shaun Hill – a veteran backup type of player. However, he would be a better fit if Cassel weren't already with the team. His teammate Austin Davis might work as a second or third quarterback as well. Before you even ask, the answer is "no" on Michael Vick. Several of the other quarterbacks listed above are going to want a shot at starting, and that's not happening in Minnesota. This is Teddy Bridgewater's offense last I checked.

This one is worth exploring if, and only if, the Vikings decide to get rid of Peterson. Even then, with Jerick McKinnon, Ben Tate Matt Asiata and Joe Banyard around, it seems unlikely. It should be noted that Asiata will be a restricted free agent.

Mark Ingram

Justin Forsett

C.J. Spiller

DeMarco Murray

Knowshon Moreno

Stevan Ridley

Shane Vereen

Darren McFadden

Ryan Mathews

Roy Helu

Jacquizz Rodgers

I'll say this: it's an interesting group of free agent running backs. Last offseason, Ben Tate and Toby Gerhart headlined the free agent running back class. Again, I don't think the Vikings will make a run at any of the above unless things chance with Peterson, Tate isn't brought back, Asiata leaves, etc.

Wide receiver

Here's where things get interesting if you are the Vikings. They spent free agency money a few years ago at wide receiver when they inked Greg Jennings and they've made a run at free agent wide receivers in the recent past if reports regarding the likes of Vincent Jackson and Mike Wallace are accurate. Might one of the guys listed below be on the Vikings wish list in March? I think there's a chance.

Demaryius Thomas

Randall Cobb

Torrey Smith

Hakeem Nicks

Reggie Wayne

Jeremy Maclin

Michael Crabtree

Kenny Britt

Cecil Shorts

Andre Holmes

Nate Washington

Now that's a list with some star power! I'm pretty sure Jerry Jones will cough up whatever it takes to keep Dez Bryant in Dallas. Similarly, if Peyton Manning keeps playing he'll probably restructure his deal if that's what it takes to keep Demaryius Thomas with the Broncos. The Vikings could opt to make a run at a Packers free agent and at least drive up the price on Cobb. The most likely guys on this list that I could see the Vikings pursuing are Maclin, Crabtree or even Shorts. The Vikings need a way to stretch the field, assuming Bridgewater finds the radar on his deep passes. Shorts is an injury risk and he's not exactly a household name outside of fantasy football leagues, but he can take the top off a defense. So can Torrey Smith, of course, but I'm guessing the Ravens will figure out a way to re-sign him. Regardless, there are some interesting free agents at this position of need for the Vikings.

Tight end

I think the Vikings are fairly set at tight end after signing Kyle Rudolph to a six-year contract in July. They aren't about to throw big money at another tight end. Nevertheless, here are the top pending free agents at tight end.

Julius Thomas

Jordan Cameron

Charles Clay

Jermaine Gresham

Zach Miller

Jacob Tamme

Rob Housler

Niles Paul

If the Vikings need tight end depth, it won't be one of these guys. As with Demaryius Thomas, I think Julius Thomas will very likely be staying in Denver with a fat new contract, as long as Peyton Manning decides to keep playing.

Offensive Line

I think the Vikings simply have to get at least one offensive lineman in free agency. Clearly this is an area of need and they won't be spending all their draft picks on linemen. I'd put offensive line even ahead of wide receiver as an area of need in free agency. Here are the big guys who are set to become available in March.

Doug Free

Bryan Bulaga

Michael Roos

Joe Barksdale

Gabe Carimi

Guards

Orlando Franklin

Mile Iupati

James Carpenter

Clint Boling

Will Rackley

Centers

Brian De La Puente

A.Q. Shipley

Roberto Garza

Stefen Wisniewski

Will Montgomery

The Vikings are set at center with John Sullivan, but guards and tackles should definitely be in their crosshairs. Current Vikings Joe Berger and Vladimir Ducasse are also set to become unrestricted free agents so they'll need even more depth at guard if those two leave.

Would it be too much to ask for the Vikings to go after Iupati or Bulaga? If they intend to make a run at either, they will need to open Zygi's wallet wide. There is speculation in San Francisco that Iupati won't be re-signing with the 49ers, and could be headed toward the biggest contract for a guard in league history.

The Vikings need to go into next season having done more than add a rookie or two to the current group.

We'll take a look at the defensive players set to hit free agency in Part Two of this "wish list" next week at VikingsJournal.com.

Go to VikingsJournal.com to discuss the Panthers vs. Vikings game and to check out my Week 13 Fantasy Football rankings.

Bo Mitchell is the Vice President of Content at SportsData, head writer at VikingsJournal.com, co-host of the Fantasy Football Pants Party at 1500ESPN.com and a member of the Pro Football Writers of America.