Vikings named as one of the most improved teams post-free agency

The Minnesota Vikings have had a relatively quiet free agency period compared to most teams in their situation. They are very much in the middle of a balancing act in which they have to ensure they handle their salary cap well while also helping them take the next step in the team's development. ESPN has been reviewing the free agency process for several teams by asking a panel of analysts for their answers to various questions.

One of those questions was who was the most improved team, and to the surprise of some, analytics analyst Seth Walder named the Vikings. Walder writes, "Forgive the simplicity, but a team's biggest offseason change is going from zero starting-caliber quarterbacks to one starting-caliber quarterback. That's what the Vikings accomplished, moving them from a noncontender to a team with a real shot at the postseason.

" While the moves have been simple, they are in critical areas. The biggest being Kyler Murray coming in to compete with J. J.

McCarthy, of course. If Murray can be another free agent hit at quarterback for Kevin O'Connell and his staff, then this team may be on to something. This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: NFL Free Agency: Vikings named as one of the most improved teams