Minnesota Vikings Free Agency

The tampering period of NFL free agency kicks off today. From 9am PT until 1pm PT Wednesday, teams are permitted to contact and enter into contract negotiations with the agents of players with expiring contracts. Nothing is official until the start of the new league year on Wednesday but many of the top prospective free agents will find new teams over the next two days. 

The Minnesota Vikings will have a critical and busy offseason. It starts with their own free agents. 

Kirk Cousins, QB

Danielle Hunter, OLB

Marcus Davenport, OLB

Joshua Dobbs, QB

Jordan Hicks, LB

Oli Udoh, OT

Chris Reed, G

Jonathan Bullard, DL

Brandon Powell, WR

Austin Schlottman, C

D.J. Wonnum, OLB

Cam Akers, RB

James Lynch, DL

Troy Dye, LB

Blake Brandel, G

Dalton Risner, G

K.J. Osborn, WR

Khyiris Tonga, DL

David Quessenberry, OT

T.J. Smith, DL

The Vikings offseason won’t really get started until Kirk Cousins decides where he’s going to throw his next pass. As of last night, it appeared that he was leaning toward checking out the free agent market. My hope is that the Vikings can somehow bring back both Cousins and Danielle Hunter. I was optimistic of that possibility in January and February. I’m not so optimistic now. 

Various outlets have the Vikings at around $40 million in cap space. With some maneuvering, that could grow to about $50 million. The Vikings have the means to be very active. 

As for their own free agents (other than Cousins and Hunter), I’d like to see the Vikings bring back the following:

D.J. Wonnum

Brandon Powell

Austin Schlottman

James Lynch

Troy Dye

Blake Brandel, Khyiris Tonga, and T.J. Smith are restricted free agents. If the Vikings are interested, they could easily retain all three. 

I’ve gone back and forth on Jordan Hicks and Dalton Risner. I can easily see bringing both back. I could just as easily see the team go another route. 

The most fun part of NFL free agency is the possible additions of new players. The Vikings have several positional needs, especially on defense.

Defensive Tackle

Edge

Linebacker

Cornerback

Interior Offensive Line

Running Back

Receiver Depth

Even if Cousins decides to stay, this is a big quarterback offseason. The biggest decision will be made in the draft. With Cousins, the Vikings have an opening day starter for this season. Without Cousins, a bridge quarterback will be needed from free agency. Nick Mullins is a possibility but I imagine that the Vikings will sort through the likes of Sam Darnold and Garner Minshew. 

If the Vikings are willing to spend, I have a healthy wish list. It all starts with a reunion between defensive coordinator Brian Flores and the first player he drafted as head coach of the Miami Dolphins.

Christian Wilkins, DT

Wilkins will get one of the biggest deals of free agency. I hope that the Vikings are willing to pay it. The defense desperately needed an interior presence last season. They desperately need an interior presence moving forward. Wilkins would provide that. The Vikings need Christian Wilkins. I’ve admired his play from afar since his Clemson days. 

After Wilkins?

Javon Kinlaw, DT

Dorrance Armstrong, Edge

Denico Autry, Edge

Andrew Van Ginkel, Edge

Jerome Baker, LB

Blake Cashman, LB

Isaac Yiadom, CB

Tre’Davious White, CB

Tony Pollard, RB

D’Andre Smith, RB

Austin Ekeler, RB

There’s a few of the free agents that I like for the Vikings. The fun begins soon.