Pauline’s Latest: Vikings, Redskins, Eagles

Now that Adrian Peterson‘s Vikings tenure could be over, the club is in dire need of a solution at running back. With that in mind, the Vikings have been showing interest in impending free agent Latavius Murray, reports Tony Pauline of DraftAnalyst.com. The 27-year-old Murray, whom the Raiders won’t stop from hitting free agency, has averaged a so-so 4.0 yards per carry in each of the past two seasons, but that’s significantly better than the paltry 3.2 team mean the Vikes put up in 2016 en route to a last-place NFL ranking. Murray also found the end zone 12 times last year, whereas Minnesota’s contingent of backs only combined for nine scores.

More pre-free agency buzz from Pauline:

• The Redskins will prioritize re-upping defensive end Chris Baker during the upcoming scouting combine, when the team will begin ramping up attempts to keep its unsigned players. Baker stands as the Redskins’ best soon-to-be free agent on the defensive side, having just finished the first 16-start year of his career and added 4.5 sacks – giving him 10.5 since 2015. In terms of overall performance, the 29-year-old Baker ranked as Pro Football Focus 18th-best interior D-lineman among 127 qualifiers in 2016.
• It’s no secret that one of Washington’s other impending free agents, DeSean Jackson, wouldn’t mind returning to Philadelphia, where he spent the first six years of his career. But the Eagles would be “content” to sign a different Redskins wideout, Pierre Garcon, if they’re unable to reel in Jackson, per Pauline. The 30-year-old Garcon, who has amassed 564 catches and 37 touchdowns in nine seasons, could garner $9MM-plus per year on his next contract.
• Free agent guards Kevin Zeitler (Bengals) and Larry Warford (Lions) are likely to land mega-deals. Zeitler figures to sign for around $10MM per year, which might be too pricey for the Bengals, while Warford could come in around $9MM per annum. Each ranked among PFF’s top guards last year, with Zeitler at No. 7 and Warford 20th.