The Best Free Agent Vikings Can Still Land
Ted Schwerzler
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The 2022 NFL Draft is over, and offseason activities have started to get underway for rookies. Kevin O’Connell has begun to coach up his first-round pick Lewis Cine, and the Minnesota Vikings are eyeing an opportunity to take back the NFC North. Who could they logically still bring in, though?
Per Spotrac, the Vikings have roughly $10 million left in cap space for the upcoming season. Admittedly most top free agents will surpass that number, but a restructuring of either Dalvin Cook or Erick Kendricks could help to bring in additional talent. Without knowing exactly what a deal would look like, there are a few names that could both benefit and be had by Minnesota to round out the roster.
JC Tretter (C)
Tretter is not the top free agent still available. That honor likely goes to wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. He is the best player at a significant position of need, however. Garrett Bradbury has been a colossal failure in the middle of the offensive line, and for a group that’s been largely revamped this season, that’s still a glaring hole in front of Kirk Cousins. Tretter has leg problems, namely his knees and ankles. That said, he still logged over 1,000 snaps last season and rated out well per Pro Football Focus. Obviously, General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah knows him well, so if Minnesota opts to stay away, that’s a pretty telling suggestion.
Kevin King (CB)
At this stage of the offseason, it’s hard to see Minnesota splurging on a position that isn’t a serious need. That takes out much of the offensive skill positions as well as the defensive line. While looking at the available free-agent options, many of them fall into that category. King is a corner that could help to bolster a weaker unit for the Vikings. Minnesota selected Andrew Booth in the draft, but there are injury concerns surrounding the Clemson product. King was hurt for the Packers last year, but maybe he’d feast on an opportunity to compete against them twice this season.
Anthony Barr (LB)
This would make Mike Zimmer happy, but with the Vikings moving on to a new defensive scheme Barr doesn’t fit. He’s still out there and has familiarity with Minnesota, but most of the roles are taken. Both Kendricks and Jordan Hicks will start up the middle, with Za’Darius Smith and Danielle Hunter on the edges. Unfortunately, Barr hasn’t found a landing spot yet, but even on the most team-friendly deal, it’s hard to see a reunion here.
Maybe Minnesota would opt to bring in another wide receiver, but it was notable that receivers coach Keenan McCardell urged the front office to pass on the position during the draft. Justin Jefferson may be the best in the league, and Adam Thielen still holds a spot down fine. K.J. Osborn emerged in 2021, and the depth of Bisi Johnson with Ihmir Smith-Marsette should make for a strong group.
Jaylen Twyman is still penciled in as a starter, which could be pushing his capabilities, but replacing him on the open market likely is done with a big name that’s aging and doesn’t come with anything but a steep price. Ultimately, the pickings are slim, and there’s little that the Vikings need to do at this point.
Is there a free agent not mentioned you’re still hoping winds up in Minnesota?
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