EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Typically, the inclination is to never believe an NFL general manager when his lips are moving this close to the draft and free agency. That’s particularly true for Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman, who is adept at springtime misdirection.

“Once free agency starts,” Spielman said this week, “we’ll probably lay in the weeds a little bit and see what happens.”

That has been Spielman’s primary game plan in previous years. He prefers to fill more holes with one-year, cap-friendly deals for younger players who have something to prove.

However, Spielman is not entirely predictable. Two years ago, he went against most of his rules of thumb when he overpaid for receiver Greg Jennings, an older player with a history of injuries.

Spielman called the Jennings signing a “unique” situation that presented itself. A cynic would say that’s code for being desperate because Percy Harvin had forced a trade and left the Vikings’ receiving corps empty.

Either way, Spielman also used the words “unique situation” while leaving himself wiggle room in case he leaps out of the weeds and signs someone on Tuesday.

The guess, however, is he will be overly cautious for cap management reasons that go beyond this season. While the Vikings are in good shape under the cap — about $24 million after releasing left guard Charlie Johnson and agreeing to trade backup quarterback Matt Cassel to Buffalo — they also have to be careful with what they spend.

Spielman’s draft-day maneuvers netted a whopping seven first-rounders during a three-year span from 2012 to last season. That’s a lot of potential to probable to definite in-house contract extensions on the horizon for tackle Matt Kalil and safety Harrison Smith (class of 2012); cornerback Xavier Rhodes, defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd and wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (2013); and linebacker Anthony Barr and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (2014).

Spielman likes to extend deals for guys heading into the final year of their rookie contracts. He took care of tight end Kyle Rudolph and guard Brandon Fusco last offseason. Smith is on deck next year, and Kalil could be as well, if he bounces back from a terrible 2014 season.

“We’ve been pretty patient through free agency,” Spielman said. “We feel good about a lot of these young kids on our roster.”

–Outside linebacker Chad Greenway would be an obvious cap casualty if not for his experience, the lack of a better replacement and Greenway’s willingness to take a pay cut to play a 10th season in Minnesota.

Greenway is slated to make $7 million next season, but he knows he’ll have to take a pay cut for the second straight season to stay with the team. A year ago, he took a $1 million pay cut to keep his family in Minnesota.

The Vikings have young linebackers who could take his spot. But there is no guarantee that Gerald Hodges or Audie Cole are ready to take that next step.

Meanwhile, from a pure non-financial football/locker-room standpoint, the Vikings sound ready to commit to Greenway for another season.

“I think everybody knows what type of player and person he’s been,” Spielman said.