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NFL Free Agency: Breaking Down Each Team’s Biggest Offseason Need

By Peter Panacy

Sep 14, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) reacts after the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 14, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) reacts after the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 3, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman Alex Boone (76) against the New York Giants at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Giants 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman Alex Boone (76) against the New York Giants at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Giants 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

Minnesota Vikings

Projected Cap Space: $37,949,218

Biggest Need: Left Tackle

The Minnesota Vikings offensive line was abysmal in 2016, and the entire team played about as well as the O-line showed.

Good and bad.

Chief among the problems was left tackle Matt Kalil, who has seen his play steadily decrease since his 2012 campaign. He and Andre Smith Jr. are both set to be free agents, putting even more pressure on Minnesota to land some talent. Especially considering the weak NFL Draft class at tackle.

The Vikings can try to see if veteran tackle Russell Okung would benefit from a change in scenery. Or they bring in a swing tackle-type like Menelik Watson to hold the line until a younger player is developed into a starting role.