Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco (15) and New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) talks after the Giants win between New York Giants and Indianapolis Colts at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024. © Julian Leshay Guadalupe/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK by way of Imagn Photos.
The Minnesota Vikings haven’t upset in free company, notably including Ryan Kelly (C), Will Fries (G), Jonathan Allen (DT), Javon Hargrave (DT), and Isaiah Rodgers (CB), along with re-upping with Aaron Jones (RB), Byron Murphy Jr. (CB), Theo Jackson (S), Harrison Smith (S).
5 Free Brokers Left for Vikings to Goal
However right here’s the deal: Minnesota isn’t essentially finished including newcomers.
Geared up with loads of cap area to unload, take into account these 5 targets as widespread sense gamers remaining for Vikings free company. They’re listed in ascending order (No. 1 = greatest goal).
5. Jerome Baker (LB)
Steve Roberts-Imagn Photos.
Every offseason, Adofo-Mensah provides no less than one veteran off-ball linebacker. See: Jordan Hicks, Troy Reeder, Kamu Grugier-Hill, and Blake Cashman.
Due to Jerome Baker’s earlier ties to Flores, he could fill that function for Minnesota in 2025. Minnesota signed linebacker Eric Wilson on Friday, however he may be extra of a particular teamer.
4. Drew Lock (QB)
Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports activities.
The backup quarterback market has dwindled mightily since Monday, the primary day of free company, and Lock is one the ultimate remaining choices if the Vikings don’t take a giant swing on Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Kirk Cousins, or Jameis Winston.
Lock can be the right gunslinging QB2 to know his function behind J.J. McCarthy and supply a spark if he ever noticed an everyday season discipline. The man can fling the rock.
3. Will Hernandez (G)
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports activities.
Hernandez is a strong guard coming off an October knee harm, and his price ticket can be smallish accordingly.
He graded a 74.0 pass-protection grade from Professional Soccer Focus earlier than lacking the rest of the season. Hernandez is just not elite, however the man can ball.
2. Mike Hilton (CB)
Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Mike Hilton (21) celebrates a cease within the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 18 recreation between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. The Bengals received 19-17 to complete the common season at 9-8. © Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK by way of Imagn Photos.
Hilton is taken into account by many to be the most effective blitzing cornerback within the enterprise.
The Vikings make use of probably the most blitz-happy defensive coordinator within the sport, possibly the game’s historical past.
Minnesota might additionally use an additional cornerback. Hilton will be the man. All of it is sensible.
1. Shaq Mason (G)
Troy Taormina-Imagn Photos.
Blake Brandel will in all probability begin at guard for the 2025 Vikings, and he deserves that project.
However Minnesota might additionally improve — they’ve finished a whole lot of that this week — and swing for the fences with Mason, a two-time Tremendous Bowl champion.
He’s not the elite asset from the Patriots days (2015-2021), however he’s nonetheless extra reliable than Brandel. He additionally shouldn’t be terribly costly.
This fivesome can be incredible:
LT: Christian DarrisawLG: Shaq MasonC: Ryan KellyRG: Will FriesRT: Brian O’Neill
Who says no?
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the College of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his every day YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The present options company, evaluation, and opinion on all issues associated to the purple crew, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings 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 info offered by OverTheCap.com.
