It's official! The 2024 NFL free agency period has begun and the first week has already been a wild ride around the league. There will certainly still be plenty of news to come, but it's time we take a look at how the Minnesota Vikings faired through the first wave of signings and their trade with the Houston Texans.

The Vikings were one of the busiest franchises in the league, re-signing talent, signing brand new players, and even pulling off a big trade to acquire an additional first round pick.

Let's dive in and see how general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and the Vikings have graded out thus far as the first week 2024 NFL free agency is about to conclude.

Vikings Acquisitions via Trade

2024 Pick 23 & 232, from Texans for 2024 Pick 42 & 188 plus a 2025 2nd Round Pick 

The Vikings seem to be positioning themselves to trade up for their quarterback of the future in early round one after making the blockbuster trade with the Texans here. Most trade value charts out there will mark this down as a "loss" in value for the Vikings, but general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is clearly making strategic moves to get exactly who he wants on NFL Draft day.

Not the perfect value move, but still positive if the Vikings pull off some follow-up magic.

Grade: B-

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Minnesota Vikings to sign the game wrecker on defense line that Brian Flores wanted in free agency

Vikings sign game wrecking edge defender

Vikings New Free Agency Signings

RB Aaron Jones, 1 year for $6 million

With one move the Vikings fill their feature running back need on the cheap and get to stick it to division rival Packers by signing one of their premier long-time stars. Just a beautiful move in its simplicity and execution.

Grade: A+

EDGE Andrew Van Ginkel, 2 years for $20 million

Van Ginkel stepped up in a big way for the Dolphins last season when the team kept enduring injuries to edge players. Snagging an edge defender with a pressure rate near 17% at fringe top 50 edge prices is phenomenal.

Grade: A

LB Blake Cashman, 3 years for $22.5 million

Cashman has struggled with soft tissue injuries over the years, but when he finally stayed healthy for a full season last year he was special for the Texans. This is a decent value for Cashman who quickly proved to be one of the better linebackers in the league in 2023.

Grade: B

DL Jerry Tillery, 1 year for $3.75 million

Tillery fills a need at defensive tackle for the Vikings as he comes off a decent season in 2023. He might not be a flashy sack artist, but he brings disruptive pressure at times. Cheap contract for the team so they can add more along the line soon.

Grade: C+

K John Parker Romo, TBD

The Vikings bringing in a former XFL kicker seems a little risky. They may bring in more competition, and probably should.

Grade: D

EDGE Jonathan Greenard, 4 years for $76 million

Greenard is coming off a dominant career year for the Texans last year and should be the best Vikings edge defender in 2024 and beyond. Double digit sacks incoming. A bit expensive for a player with just one elite complete season, but still fills a huge need.

Grade: B+

QB Sam Darnold, 1 year for $10 million

The Vikings needed to bring in some sort of backup plan in case their NFL Draft doesn't go how they hope. Darnold should be a great mentor and potential bridge quarterback for the rookie signal caller that the Vikings likely select in round one. $10 million for a backup is a bit much, but he can also start if needed and the wheels won't fall off like last year's mess of quarterbacks in Minnesota.

Grade: B

WR Trent Sherfield, 1 year, $1.79 million

More special teams and receiver depth. The Vikings still likely add some other help, but Sherfield can actually produce on the field as a receiver in a pinch.

Grade: C+

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Vikings Free Agent Re-Signings

OL Blake Brandel, 3 years for $9.5 million

The Vikings reward Blake Brandel for consistent play in spot roles over the past three years. He's played special teams on kicks, left tackle, and right guard. Locked in versatile offensive line depth for a few years.

Grade: C+

WR Brandon Powell, 1 year for $2 million

The Vikings needs receiver depth who can play special teams and Powell fills that role. Very little value as a receiver.

Grade: C

OT David Quessenberry, 1 year for $1.885 million

Getting a swing tackle depth piece for under two million dollars with 2500 career NFL snaps is an incredible value.

Grade: B+

TE Johnny Mundt, 1 year for $2.5 million

Cheap tight end depth that will be on the field in 12 and 13 personnel to block and chip when called up on. Doesn't add much value, but again he's cheap.

Grade: C-

DL Jonathan Bullard, 1 year for $3.25 million

Bullard is not the difference maker he once was in terms of bringing pass rush pressure, but he's still a strong savvy run stopper. Getting him to come back to fill a specific run-stopping role for just over three million is great value, even if it's not high impact every down.

Grade: C+

TE Nick Muse, 1 year for $985,000

Muse may not be active on game days, but he provides familiar offensive depth for the team.

Grade: C-

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Vikings Free Agency & Trade Grade: B-

The Vikings made a couple really savvy additions in running back Aaron Jones and edge defender Andrew Van Ginkel. Sam Darnold certainly gives them a strong backup or bridge option at quarterback this year. The overall Vikings' grade through this first week of free agency likely hinges upon the perception of their trade with the Texans though. On paper the trade is a loss, but if it allows them to accomplish their greater goal in acquiring the right quarterback it's a win long-term.

There's still plenty of time for the Vikings to make more moves, but it seems for now their results are quite a mixed bag. Yes, they re-signed some depth at defensive line and at offensive line, but there's certainly room for improvement on what they've done thus far. The Vikings just need their quarterback of the future now and this off-season will look a whole lot better.