One free agent each NFL team should sign in 2019

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 04: Stephen Gostkowski #3 of the New England Patriotstakes the field prior to Super Bowl LII against the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Minnesota Vikings — Stephen Gostkowski

Signing Kirk Cousins elevated the Vikings in 2018, but could put them in a difficult financial spot in 2019 and beyond. After signing Eric Kendricks to a massive linebacker contract, Minnesota retains just $11 million in cap space to ink Stefon Diggs, Danielle Hunter, and Anthony Barr.

Given the likely markets for those players, Rick Spielman will have to create space just to sign one of those players, much less all three.

That could keep them out of the 2019 free agent market for the most part, but the Vikings happen to have a hole at a low-key critical spot: kicker. Stephen Gostkowski hasn’t been as automatic lately as he was earlier in his career, but he’s been through playoff battles and Super Bowls. He’s made big kicks with the game in the balance.

Minnesota still hasn’t recovered from the Blair Walsh Project horror show. Bringing in a proven veteran at what should be a reasonable cost may not grab headlines, but will offer cheap stability at a position of need. For a Super Bowl contender, that’s all they can really ask for in free agency.