Ranking Every Minnesota Vikings Player: Top free agent acquisitions by Kwesi Adofo-Mensah highlight Nos. 15-11

We are getting extremely close to naming the top 10 Minnesota Vikings heading into the 2025 season.  So far, we have revealed a whopping 76 players with some surprises, including quarterback J.J. McCarthy at 20th overall. After a few games, he could easily jump up the rankings here, but games will need to be played […]

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
Dec 8, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah looks on before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

We are getting extremely close to naming the top 10 Minnesota Vikings heading into the 2025 season. 

So far, we have revealed a whopping 76 players with some surprises, including quarterback J.J. McCarthy at 20th overall. After a few games, he could easily jump up the rankings here, but games will need to be played first.

Now that we are getting close to the top 10, we are seeing the impact that general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's free agency signings have had on this roster, as they are littered in the group just outside the top 10.

youtube placeholder image

15. C Ryan Kelly

The Vikings haven't had consistency at the center position over the course of the last few seasons. Garrett Bradbury couldn't overcome his issues in pass protection, which led the Vikings to signing Kelly.

A four-time Pro Bowler and one-time second-team All Pro, Kelly has been excellent over his nine seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. The biggest issue with him is simple: staying healthy. If he does, Kelly is going to be a huge asset to the Vikings this year.

14. DT Harrison Phillips

Phillips doesn't get the respect he deserves for how good he is. What he does often doesn't get recognized, because it's in the running game. His savvy in navigating double teams has been nothing short of excellent. He maneuvers incredibly well with nimble feet to evade blockers and blow up plays in the backfield. With two good pass rushers on the interior coming in, Phillips will get to focus his energy more of what he's good at, which could make him more impactful this season.

13. RB Aaron Jones

The signing of Jones before the 2024 season was one of the better ones the Vikings made in recent memory. He set a career high in rushing yards with 1,138 and the second-highest yards from scrimmage total with 1,546. Not only that, Jones played in all 17 games, something he'd only done two times before in his career. Now that Jones has a running mate in Jordan Mason, his impact will get better.

12. LB Blake Cashman

Did anyone have a bigger impact this past season than Cashman? The Vikings had struggles on the second level once Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr started to lose a step, and Cashman immeditately made a difference at an insane value of just $7.5 million. The Vikings went 1-2 without him coming out of the bye week and went 13-2 with him, as his versatile skill set elevated the defense early and often.

11. S Josh Metellus

Metellus has proven to be an incredible asset for the Vikings. They signed him to a two-year extension before ever becoming a full-time starter in the NFL. He rewarded them early and often with great play at a variety of positions. That versatility has been huge for Flores' defense, as they have maneuvered throughout all the changes they have made.

The big question is whether or not the two sides will end up coming to an agreement on an extension. They are in talks right now on one, but it has yet to come to fruition.

Previous rankings

Related Articles