Nov 7, 2021; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive finish Jadeveon Clowney (90) earlier than the sport in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports activities
The Minnesota Vikings have simply over $13 million in cap room with coaching camp kicking off on the finish of the month. And in the event that they don’t merely use the dough on extensions for gamers like Brian O’Neill and Blake Cashman (two examples), new basic supervisor Nolan Teasley might realistically signal a participant or two.
Ranked in ascending order, these positions and gamers take advantage of sense for that process (No. 1 = most probably free-agent acquisition).
OLB Headlines the Vikings’ Remaining Summer season Wants
Cleveland Browns heart Ethan Pocic walks from the sphere at Huntington Financial institution Area after a house loss to San Francisco, leaving the sideline because the afternoon concludes. On Nov. 30, 2025, Pocic heads towards the tunnel following the matchup whereas Cleveland closes out one other tough lead to entrance of its residence crowd. Obligatory Credit score: Ken Blaze-Imagn Pictures.
3. A New Beginning Heart
Blake Brandel is lined as much as begin at heart in 2026, and when Week 1 rolls round, he’ll in all probability be the person snapping the pigskin to Kyler Murray or J.J. McCarthy. However what if coaching camp reveals that Brandel is nicely under the caliber of a beginning heart, and Kevin O’Connell realizes he wants an outsider? It’s an extended shot, but it surely’s not inconceivable.
The free-agent market might appear to be this:
Brady Christensen
Andre James
Ethan Pocic
Through commerce:
Garrett Bradbury (CHI)
Jake Brendel (SF)
Luke Fortner (CAR)
Matt Hennessy (DAL)
Olu Oluwatimi (SEA)
Luke Wypler (CLE)
This will likely be moot if the Vikings absolutely belief Brandel, however keep in mind, he’s 29 and about to embark on his first full yr as a beginning heart. That’s often “late to the party.”
2. A Guard for Depth
As beginning guards, the Vikings make use of Donovan Jackson and Will Fries. Jackson aspires to take the subsequent step in his growth after a promising rookie marketing campaign in 2025. Fries, who signed a monster contract final offseason, hopes to regain his type from his 2024 season with the Indianapolis Colts.
However what occurs if one will get damage? Effectively, the Vikings would both flip to Walter Rouse, a deal with who has flirted with switching to protect for a few yr, or to final yr’s rookie Joe Huber, an undrafted discover from Wisconsin. Would you are feeling snug beginning Rouse or Huber? If the reply isn’t any, the Vikings may want one other guard.
Arizona Cardinals guard Will Hernandez leaves the sphere at Financial institution of America Stadium after being ejected throughout the second half in opposition to Carolina. On Oct. 2, 2022, Hernandez walks towards the locker room as Arizona continues the highway matchup with out him and the Panthers put together for the subsequent possession in Charlotte. Obligatory Credit score: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports activities.
Right here’s the principle listing of accessible choices in free company:
Mekhi Becton
Daniel Brunskill
James Daniels
Liam Eichenberg
Will Hernandez
Graham Glasgow
Greg Van Roten
Kevin Zeitler
That’s really an honest listing of depth guards, all issues thought of. Minnesota might even faucet new assistant head coach Frank Smith’s ties and add Brunskill, who performed for the Dolphins with Smith because the offensive coordinator.
1. An Exterior Linebacker
The Jonathan Greenard commerce created a roster shortcoming for the Vikings — until rookie Jake Golday is prepared for EDGE snaps straight away or defensive deal with Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins absolutely converts to OLB. If neither of these choices come to fruition, the Vikings would roll with Bo Richter or Tyler Batty because the third EDGE on passing downs.
In any other case, utilizing the $13 million on a veteran EDGE defender a) is sensible b) is simple as a result of the present free-agent market has oodles of choices. Right here’s the listing:
Derek Barnett
Joey Bosa
Jadeveon Clowney
Marcus Davenport
Leonard Floyd
Jerry Hughes
Yannick Ngakoue
Emmanuel Ogbah
Josh Paschal
Haason Reddick
Preston Smith
Kyle Van Noy
Von Miller
Credible reporting has claimed that Bosa will retire, besides, the free-agent wire has loads of names.
SI.com‘s Will Ragatz noted on Reddick last month, “He turns 32 in September, which makes him younger than some of the other options the Vikings could target (Jadeveon Clowney, Leonard Floyd, Denico Autry, Za’Darius Smith, and extra).”
“The raw box score numbers aren’t great; Reddick has just 3.5 sacks in 23 games with the Jets and Buccaneers over the last two seasons. But as Schatz notes, his pass rush win rate last season was similar to a guy with 13 sacks (Tuipulotu) and a guy who has made eight consecutive Pro Bowls (Watt).”
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick battles by way of a block from Washington guard Andrew Wylie at Lincoln Monetary Area throughout an NFC East matchup. On Oct. 1, 2023, Reddick works across the edge as Philadelphia’s protection pressures the Commanders and the house crowd follows the motion from the stands that afternoon. Obligatory Credit score: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports activities.
Reddick was additionally linked to the Vikings by CBS Sports activities this week. The world apparently likes the match.
Ragatz added, “Whatever team ends up signing Reddick will be hoping he can rediscover some amount of his 2020-2023 form. During that four-year span, playing for the Cardinals, Panthers, and Eagles, Reddick racked up 50.5 sacks and 13 forced fumbles.”
“Only Watt, Myles Garrett, and Trey Hendrickson had more sacks during that time frame. No one had more forced fumbles.”
The Vikings might make this easy by signing Clowney or Floyd, for instance, proper now. They’ve the funds and will promote both man on the case for a playoff-contending crew. Floyd gained a Tremendous Bowl with Kevin O’Connell 5 years in the past in Los Angeles. Name him up.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
