15. Lance Johnstone, DE
Lance Johnstone was the Vikings first hit in free agency. He might fly a bit under the radar as he started only 23 games in five seasons. Coming off the bench as a designated pass rusher, Johnstone collected 41 sacks in those five seasons, including 10 and 11 sacks in consecutive seasons. He even returned an interception 33 yards for a score in 2003. The Vikings desperately needed a pass rushing presence with the sad departure of John Randle and Johnstone provided some. Even if it often came from the bench,
14. Tom Johnson, DT
Tom Johnson's performance with the Vikings was a revelation mostly because it took him so long to hit his stride in the NFL. He played in the Arena Football League, Canadian Football League, and NFL Europe before he found a spot with the New Orleans Saints in 2011 at 27. He really found his place in the NFL with the Vikings in 2014. Johnson was a terrific interior pass rusher. So terrific that he's one of the best Vikings free agent signings. His impact on the Vikings pass rush is reminiscent of the one made by Lance Johnstone two decades ago.
13. Corey Chavous, S
Corey Chavous came to Minnesota as a corner in 2002 but really found his home with a switch to safety. His 2003 season was simply outstanding. That was the year in which he often seemed to be the only Vikings player on the field that had any interest in playing defense. He was picked for the only Pro Bowl of his career that season. Smart football player.
12. Byron Murphy Jr., CB
Byron Murphy Jr. has had a somewhat up-and-down three years in Minnesota. In my opinion, he’s had far more ups than downs. Nearly all of the 2024 season was an up. Reportedly, the plan has always been for him to spend most of his snaps playing on the inside. His strength has always been his versatility and that is best seen when he’s closer to the middle of the field.
11. Ben Leber, LB
Ben Leber was a consistently solid linebacker for the Vikings from 2006-10. He had a great knack for making big plays in crucial moments. The linebacker trio of Leber, Chad Greenway, and E.J. Henderson is one of the best in franchise history.
10. Ryan Longwell, K
A kicker! The only thing that keeps Ryan Longwell from being ranked higher is the position that he played. Longwell was an excellent kicker for each of his six seasons in Minnesota. He's in the argument for best kicker in Vikings franchise history.
9. Chester Taylor, RB
Chester Taylor had an outstanding first season for the Vikings in 2006. He probably would have had several more outstanding seasons in Minnesota if not for the surprising arrival of Adrian Peterson in the 2007 NFL Draft. Taylor's playing time was cut drastically but he remained an effective complimentary back to Peterson. The two formed one of the league’s best running back combos.
8. Blake Cashman, LB
The only thing keeping Blake Cashman from being even higher on this list is his availability. Injuries have peppered his two years with the Vikings. When he’s on the field, Cashman has been outstanding. He directs the Vikings defense crafted by Brian Flores.
7. Jonathan Greenard, OLB
If Blake Cashman is the leader of the Vikings defense, Jonathan Greenard is the heart. He’s relentless on the field. He didn’t collect the sacks last year that he collected in 2024 but his pass rushing was just as effective. Many of the sacks of his teammates were the result of his work. In recent days, there’s been reports that the Vikings are listening to trade offers for Greenard. He’s the sort of player teams try to find. Not trade away. The economics of this league has always forced teams to do stupid things.
6. Andrew Van Ginkel, OLB
I wish that the pairing of Andrew Van Ginkel and Brian Flores could be a Vikings defensive fixture for eternity. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a player with Van Ginkel’s instincts. He is one of the most fun defensive players to watch and study. Another season like the last two and he’s moving higher on this list. I wish that he’d come to Minnesota earlier in his career.
5. Pat Williams, DT
Defensive tackles Pat and Kevin Williams formed the "Williams Wall." No one ran on the "Williams Wall." It was remarkable to watch Pat Williams move over short distances. He was so big but got through the line so fast. He was a lot of fun to watch.
4. Linval Joseph, DT
Linval Joseph was a huge addition to the Vikings defensive line in 2014. The only knock on his play would be the games that he didn't play. Injuries kept him out of a few. When healthy, he was one of the best interior defensive linemen in the league. He was a defensive cornerstone from 2014 to 2019.
3. Kirk Cousins, QB
The signing of Kirk Cousins at the start of the 2018 spending spree was the Vikings' most aggressive free agent signing. He had a legion of critics but his passing numbers compare to those of any quarterback of the past six years. Cousins was signed to lead a talented Vikings team to a Super Bowl win. He didn’t do that. For that reason, the signing will always be questioned. He did bring many thrills and some fine passing.
2. Antoine Winfield, CB
Antoine Winfield's signing in 2004 was the Vikings first true venture into big time free agency. They merely dabbled the first ten years. They struck gold with Winfield. He played for the Vikings for nine years and was fantastic for nine years. He made it to three Pro Bowls. He should have been to more. It was a real treat to be witness to his football career. He won't get much Hall of Fame consideration but he's in my Hall of Fame. A great, fun football player.
1. Steve Hutchinson, G
Steve Hutchinson might’ve been the team MVP in 2006. He quickly changed the level of play and attitude of the Vikings offensive line. And as a result, the entire offense. He was an outstanding football player for all of his six seasons in Minnesota. He was so outstanding that he earned a bust in Canton.
***
The Minnesota Vikings have rarely been significant players in free agency. The Cousins, Hutchinson, and Winfield signings were aggressive but are outliers. A low free agency profile is the norm. That's why 2006 was such a surprise. In Brad Childress' first season as head coach, the Vikings really dove into free agency. Four players on this list were signed that year. Steve Hutchinson, Chester Taylor, Ryan Longwell, and Ben Leber. That offseason was a bonanza and Vikings fans were delirious. All four helped form the foundation of a team that improved each season. A team that ended up being a play away from the Super Bowl in 2009. That free agency production may have been matched by the players signed in 2024. Blake Cashman, Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Sam Darnold, Aaron Jones. The Vikings hit big on nearly every signing that offseason. They had to hit in free agency because so little help was coming from the draft.
Hopefully, a player, or more, signed in the coming weeks crack this list in the coming years.
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