UPDATE: The Vikings are agreeing to a contract with former Detroit Lions offensive tackle Riley Reiff, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Former Lions OT Riley Reiff plans to sign with Vikings , per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2017
Reiff is considered one of the five best free-agent offensive tackles and he’s an immediate upgrade to what Minnesota rolled out last season with the likes of T.J. Clemmings, Matt Kalil, who signed with Carolina, and Jeremiah Sirles.
More to come.
Read the original story below.
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Plenty of deals are already in place thanks to the league’s two-day tampering period. So far, however, none of them are with the Vikings, although ESPN’s Josina Anderson expects the Vikings to pursue former Seahawks and Broncos left tackle, Russell Okung. Teams can’t contact Okung until 3 p.m. because he doesn’t have an agent.
I'm told the #Vikings are expected to express interest in OT Russell Okung when free agency starts.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 8, 2017
Here are the key updates on o-linemen so far today.
Source: The #Saints are signing G Larry Warford to beef up their OL. Was a big area of focus for them.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2017
Cowboys G Ron Leary plans to sign with the Denver Broncos assuming no last-minute negotiating snags, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2017
#Rams deal for Andrew Whitworth: 3 years, $36M w $15M guar, including $2.5M guar in Year 2. Deal pays more $13M in Year 1 and $24.5M over 2
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2017
Here are 10 best free-agent tackles and guards, according to Walter Football. A line through the player’s name means they’ve reportedly signed or are close to signing somewhere else.
Tackles
- Andrew Whitworth, Bengals, 35
- Russell Okung, Broncos, 28
- Ricky Wagner, Ravens, 27
- Kelvin Beachum, Jaguars, 28
- Riley Reiff, Lions, 28
- Ty Nsekhe, Redskins, 31 (restricted)
- Ryan Clady, Jets, 31
- Sebastian Vollmer, Patriots, 33
- Matt Kalil, Vikings, 28
- Austin Pasztor, Browns, 26
Guards
- Kevin Zeitler, Bengals, 27
- Andrew Norwell, Panthers, 25 (restricted)
- T.J. Lang, Packers, 29
- Larry Warford, Lions, 26
- Evan Mathis, Cardinals, 35
- Brian Winters, Jets, 26
- Ronald Leary, Cowboys, 28
- Jahri Evans, Saints, 34
- Mike Harris, Vikings, 27
- Patrick Omameh, Panthers, 26
Other names to watch out for include D.J. Fluker, a tackle recently cut by the Chargers, former Titans guard, Chance Warmack, and Packers center, J.C. Tretter.
Update: Tretter reportedly going to the Browns.
JC Tretter will officially be a Cleveland Brown in about five hours. That deal is getting done. Expected to be their new center.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 9, 2017
Here’s what Minnesota’s offensive line depth looked like for the final game of last season. A line through the player’s name means they’re no longer with the team.
- LT: T.J. Clemmings, Rashod Hill
- LG: Alex Boone, Zac Kerin
- C: Joe Berger, Nick Easton
- RG: Brandon Fusco, Willie Beavers
- RT: Jeremiah Sirles
Clearly, with how inconsistent Clemmings and Sirles were last season the Vikings some work to do. Also keep in mind that Berger will be 35 years old next season.
