6 Free Agent Recommendations for Vikings | Post-Draft
VikingsTerritory writers were asked to provide one free agent apiece for the Minnesota Vikings to target sometime between now and the start of the 2024 regular season. The club still has a few roster deficiencies.
Our writers doubled up on a couple of candidates, so consider those double the recommendation.
6 Free Agent Recommendations for Vikings | Post-Draft
Minnesota has about $17 million in cap space, meaning each of these men should be gettable.
1. Hunter Renfrow (WR)
Advice Giver = Dustin Baker
The temptation was to roll with Calais Cambell (DT) and Greg Van Roten (OG) here, but those men were spoken for on this list.
So, a pivot Hunter Renfrow is in order, a man whose career oddly died when Davante Adams arrived in Las Vegas. Renfrow is still only 28 years old and should actually considered in his physical prime. Minnesota should try him on for size, especially because tight end T.J. Hockenson — the team’s defacto WR3 — will likely miss the beginning of the season.
Renfrow has 1,038 receiving yards in 2021. His DNA is productive.
2. Dalton Risner (LG)
Advice Giver = Josh Frey
The Vikings had one of the better offensive lines in the league, with Risner in the mix. Even if they don’t have the most impressive interior group, continuity will make things much easier on the new starting quarterback.
3. Greg Van Roten (OG)
Advice Giver = Janik Eckardt
The Vikings lost Dalton Risner in free agency, and although he is still available, a return isn’t imminent. Backup Blake Brandel was re-signed to replace him, and veteran Dan Feeney was added. Neither of the duo should be a starting guard in the NFL. For that reason, Greg Van Roten should be the team’s target. The 34-year-old has been a journeyman in the league but had an excellent 2023 campaign with the Raiders. Because of his age, he won’t be a long-term solution, but he would be a serviceable starter in 2024.
4. Xavien Howard (CB)
Advice Giver = Ali Siddiqui
The Vikings can still use another CB. He knows Brian Flores’ system and would be a big help to the young guys.
t5. Tyler Boyd (WR)
Advice Giver = Ted Schwerzler
With the DT market relatively picked over, Minnesota can try to make it work with Jerry Tillery. Boyd provides an upgrade at WR3 on Brandon Powell and gives the new signal caller yet another weapon.
t5. Tyler Boyd (WR)
Advice Giver = Adam New
The options for a genuine WR3 are quickly running out, but the Vikings can still add Tyler Boyd, a veteran pass catcher capable of replacing KJ Osborn.
t6. Calais Campbell (DT)
Advice Giver = Cole Smith
Calais Campbell is the free agent that I’d want Minnesota to sign between now and August. The six-time Pro Bowler still has juice in the tank, as he amassed 6.5 sacks in Atlanta. Ryan Nielsen, the Falcons’ defensive coordinator in 2023, runs a defense that has many parallels to Brian Flores’ scheme. Production and experience are needed on the defensive interior.
t6. Calais Campbell (DT)
Advice Giver = Kyle Joudry
Hard not to say Calais Campbell, right? Flores would probably love moving him all over the defensive line.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
You must be logged in to post a comment.