10 free agents Minnesota Vikings can sign with their salary cap issues, including multiple former first-round picks
With their salary cap issues, the Minnesota Vikings will likely be bargain bin shopping.
The Minnesota Vikings are in a salary cap pinch. Edge rusher Jonathan Greenard might be traded, and they are already planning on releasing running back Aaron Jones, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, and defensive tackle Jonathan Allen.
With these issues, the Vikings aren’t likely to be big spenders in free agency. It will likely be bargain bin shopping. They are going to need to add multiple players on the roster to compete next season, and it will likely have to be on short-term deals worth less than $5 million per season.
The most likely scenario is quarterback Kyler Murray joining the roster to fortify the position for the veteran minimum. I took a look at 10 other players the Vikings could target for an inexpensive price.
RB Sean Tucker
The Buccaneers decided to not to tender Tucker, which is somewhat of a surprise considering how well he played when called upon this season, including a 106-yard and two touchdown performance against the Buffalo Bills. He is a lightning-style back who would pair well with Jordan Mason. He deserves a chance to get more playing time at his next stop. If he was healthy, Tucker would have dominated the combine, which is the likely reason he went undrafted. It’s a low-risk, high-reward option for the Vikings, and he’s good in pass protection.
Projected contract: 2 years, $5 million
WR Zay Jones
When looking at different wide receivers to target, there isn’t a wealthy of talent available. Being that Kyler Murray is likely to be signed next week, finding someone he’s somewhat familiar with would be a good idea. With the Cardinals, Jones only caught 20 passes for 267 yards across two seasons, but he provides a steady hand who can compete for the WR3 job and also play on special teams.
Projected contract: 1 year, $3 million
TE Charlie Kolar
The Vikings don’t have much depth at the tight end position, and it could become very dire if they end up cutting T.J. Hockenson. Even if he stays, the TE3 position could use some depth. Kolar was buried at the position with Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely ahead of him. Kolar is a traditional inline tight end who can give the Vikings a balanced player at the position in a similar way to how Johnny Mundt did.
Projected contract: 1 year, $2 million
OT Larry Borom
One of the biggest things last season was the health of hte offensive line. It wasn’t there, and it hindered the Vikings’ offense in a major way. Justin Skule is a potential option to bring back and Borom could be an upgrade. He played 664 snaps last year and allowed just two sacks and 15 pressures for the Miami Dolphins at right tackle, and, if nobody offers him starter caliber money, would be a smart addition.
Projected contract: 1 year, $5 million
C Matt Hennessy
Center is one position that many believe the Vikings need to address. It’s likely that they will select one, but adding depth at the position. Hennessy was a third-round pick of the Atlanta Falcons in teh 2020 NFL Draft and was their full-time starter in 2021. Since then, he’s played just 348 snaps across the last four seasons and has been a backup. He will be competition for the likes of Michael Jurgens and Blake Brandel, and likely just that.
Projected contract: 1 year, $2 million
DL Logan Hall
Hall was the player selected one spot after the Vikings took Lewis Cine in the 2022 NFL Draft. With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Hall was a contributor from day one and played 2,205 snaps. He had his best year this past season with 32 pressures. With his 6-6 and 285 pound frame, Hall could be a versatile asset for Brian Flores across the defensive line.
Projected contract: 1 year, $5 million
EDGE Payton Turner
I will always believe in Payton Turner. A first-round pick in the 2o21 NFL Draft, Turner didn’t play a single snap for the Dallas Cowboys last year, and he’s dealt with injuries throughout his career. However, Turner has a lot of athletic ability, and would be worth bringing in at the veteran minimum.
Projected contract: 1 year, $1.25 million
LB Christian Harris
After being a starter for the Houston Texans over the first two seasons of his career, Harris has been nothing but a depth player. He needs a lot of refining with his eyes and decision making, but the athleticism is there. He ran a 4.44 40-yard dash at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine, and that’s something Flores can use. With a bargain budget, this would be a major upside play.
Projected contract: 1 year, $2 million
CB Eric Stokes
Cornerback needs at least one or two players added to the room, and one of them should be a veteran. Stokes was a player I thought they should target last offseason due to being a former first-round pick and having a good athletic profile. He signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, and finally had a breakout season. He allowed just 28 catches for 261 yards and one touchdown after being consistently picked on during his time with the Green Bay Packers. Get him in Flores’ system, and he can be a long-term asset on defense.
Projected contract: 2 years, $12 million
S Andre Cisco
Safety is a really big need for the Vikings. They seem to really like Jay Ward, but he hasn’t done enough to inspire confidence that he’s the long-term answer at the position. Cisco is one of the better safeties with ball skills, and he’s likely going to come cheap after playing for the New York Jets in 2025. Pair him with Josh Metellus and have a talented player to develop behind them.
Projected contract: 1 year, $3 million