Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports activities.
The NFL’s free company interval is 2 days away, and the Minnesota Vikings have over $60 million to spend on current and new gamers — probably the most in years. “Legal tampering” begins on Monday, March tenth.
7 Gamers for the Vikings to AVOID in Free Company
Minnesota is predicted so as to add high-profile free brokers whereas re-signing roughly 10 or so males from the 2024 roster.
So, we requested all VikingsTerritory writers to call one participant apiece whom Minnesota ought to keep away from in any respect prices. That’s — the exterior participant that flat-out doesn’t belong on the 2025 Vikings roster.
These are their responses.
1. Drew Dalman (C)
Wealthy Barnes-USA TODAY Sports activities.
VT Author: Henrique Gucciardi
Dalman could be an enchancment at middle over Bradbury. Nevertheless, he’d be overpaid for his projected contract, whereas somebody like Ryan Kelly may very well be a less expensive and higher possibility.
2. Sam Darnold (QB)
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Photos.
VT Author: Ted Schwerzler
The Vikings helped him earn his newfound payday. They need to let another person foot the invoice.
3. Marcus Davenport (EDGE)
Detroit Lions defensive finish Marcus Davenport (92) pressures Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throughout the first half at Ford Discipline in Detroit on Sunday, September 8, 2024. © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK.
VT Author: Adam New
The Vikings have been stung two years in the past by signing Marcus Davenport, who then solely performed in 4 video games. He subsequently went to Detroit and solely performed twice. He has the expertise, however he can’t keep wholesome.
4. Aaron Banks (OG)
Darren Yamashita-Imagn Photos.
VT Author: Dustin Baker
If the Vikings signal Aaron Banks, it would really feel like they merely signed a brand new model of Ed Ingram — or another offensive guard from the final 5-10 years.
Right here’s his Professional Soccer Focus resume:
2024: 65.4
2023: 52.8
2022: 59.5
2021: 56.9
He’s mid.
Ought to Minnesota signal Banks and promote him as the answer, it’d simply be extra of the identical.
5. Milton Williams (DT)
Tim Heitman-Imagn Photos.
VT Author: Wes Johnson
Sure, the highest DT at a place of apparent want — the Vikings ought to keep away from. Not from a expertise standpoint however from a sheer worth perspective. The Vikings have quite a few holes to fill this offseason and don’t have to dedicate a big portion of their cap area to at least one participant.
t6. Stefon Diggs (WR)
Marc Lebryk-Imagn Photos.
VT Author: Ali Siddiqui
Sure, he was an impressive participant for the Vikings from 2015 to 2019 and made one of many largest performs in NFL historical past, however the Vikings ought to go on him in the event that they plan to signal a WR. Laborious to think about he could be okay with being a 3rd WR together with his diva habits.
t6. Stefon Diggs (WR)
Brad Rempel-Imagn Photos.
VT Author: Cole Smith
The recipient of the Minneapolis Miracle will all the time have a particular place in our hearts, however he’s now 30 and coming off an ACL tear. We additionally don’t know the way he’d react to seemingly being the fourth goal behind Jefferson, Addison, and Hockenson.
t7. Najee Harris (RB)
Katie Stratman-Imagn Photos.
VT Author: Josh Frey
The Vikings seemingly will likely be searching for an answer of their RB room over the subsequent couple of years, however that shouldn’t imply overspending in free company on the place. Harris, 27, has surpassed 1,000 dashing yards in every of his first 4 NFL seasons, nevertheless it has come by way of very inconsistent play. The Vikings ought to steer clear.
t7. Najee Harris (RB)
Dale Zanine-Imagn Photos
VT Author: Kyle Joudry
He’s younger, has nice dimension, and performs a place of want. Even higher, he has confirmed to be very sturdy. The difficulty is solely that he’s inefficient with a profession 3.9 YPC common. What occurs when runners are inefficient within the KOC offense? KOC doesn’t run.
t7. Najee Harris (RB)
Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports activities.
VT Author: Brevan Bane
Harris looks as if a pretty prospect, however his tape and profession manufacturing inform a story that wouldn’t be any happier within the Vikings’ fashion of run sport. Minnesota ought to look to youthful gamers within the draft on the place and a less expensive veteran than Harris to be within the room.
t7. Najee Harris (RB)
Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports activities.
VT Author: Janik Eckardt
Though he has been fairly dependable in his NFL profession (he hasn’t missed a sport in his 4 seasons), Najee Harris needs to be on the no-sign record. He has but to eclipse 4.1 yards per carry in a season and lacks breakaway velocity. Whereas he can constantly get 4 yards, he isn’t dynamic sufficient to be a difference-maker.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the College of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his day by day YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The present options friends, evaluation, and opinion on all issues associated to the purple staff, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates again to 1996. Listed responsible pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doorways (the band). He follows the NBA as carefully because the NFL.
All statistics offered by Professional Soccer Reference / Stathead; all contractual data offered by OverTheCap.com.
