The Minnesota Vikings are coming into a very important offseason for the team with Mike Zimmer as the new head coach and that means the defense will be getting an overhaul and free agents like D'Qwell Jackson, Brian Orakpo and Brandon Spikes could be potential linebacker options, while draft picks like C.J. Mosley and Khalil Mack are possible targets in May.
The Vikings missed the playoffs last season and went 5-10-1 and that led to Leslie Frazier getting fired and Zimmer getting hired and after he turned the Bengals D around, he will try and do the same with the Vikes. According to ESPN.com writer Ben Goessling, the team could look at Jackson as an option after he was released by the Browns, while NFL.com reports that no less than seven teams have called in to ask about Jackson already.
The Browns released Jackson instead of paying him $4.1 million in bonuses and now he could move on to another team quickly. Last season Jackson was excellent and he has been a leader with the Browns and he made 141 tackles last season with one forced fumble and one interception and he will be a great option if the team can sign him. Orakpo could be an option as well if the Washington Redskins let him go, as he comes into the offseason after making 60 tackles and he is expected to be one of the top linebackers on the market.
The draft at the top is strong this season with Mack and Mosley, but those players could be off the table or not in play when the Vikings pick, as they have needs in a number of areas. The team could go after a quarterback or a receiver like Sammy Watkins and on top of that, Mack might be off the board by then, while Mosley is projected to be in the middle of the first round. Jackson is 30 years old and while he may be nearing the end, the Vikings could squeeze another solid year out of him.
