3 free agents the Minnesota Vikings should avoid in the 2021 offseason

If the Vikings are serious about freeing up some, the first cut that needs to be made is the one of Kyle Rudolph. The teams go-to target since being drafted out of Notre Dame, Rudolph no longer is worth the $7.65 million owed in 2021.

Initially, the plan was for Irv Smith Jr. to take over as the next tight end. Since leaving Alabama, Smith is done well in a two-tight end set. Now being forced to take over as the No.1, do the Vikings think they are in good hands?

With limited tight ends hitting the free agent market this offseason, Smith is the de facto number two option behind Hunter Henry. He picked a great time to enter contract negotiations after coming off a career-year with 41 catches for 448 yards and eight touchdowns.

Adding as many weapons for Cousins will be helpful, but the price matters as well. Since the market is low, teams will buy high on Smith, who’s production was only slightly better than his backup, Anthony Frisker. He’s not going to be worth the $35 million contract a team offers him.

Minnesota doesn’t have the money to compete. They also need to spend that on defense rather than offense.