6 New Players Who Could Join the Vikings’ Roster This Summer
The Minnesota Vikings’ regular season gets underway in nine weeks, and the franchise is predicted to win about seven games and finish last in the NFC North.
7 New Players Who Could Join the Vikings’ Roster This Summer
The roster will likely add a new player or two this summer, perhaps someone notable, like N’Keal Harry in 2023 or Nick Mullens or Jalen Reagor in 2022.
So, we asked VikingsTerritory writers to predict a Harry-like, Mullens-like, or Reagor-like acquisition in the coming weeks.
These are their responses.
Note: We asked writers to exclude running back Cam Akers because his return feels imminent.
1. Emmanuel Ogbah (OLB)
Prediction Maker = Kyle Joudry
Hard not to say Emmanuel Ogbah, right? Someone who has been connected to the Vikings by Bleacher Report recently and has been talked about on both VT and P/PTSD. No such thing as too many pass rushers.
2. Hunter Renfrow (WR)
Prediction Maker = Janik Eckardt
After K.J. Osborn’s departure, the Vikings enter the summer without a clear-cut WR3. Adding an outside candidate makes sense, especially since both hopefuls Brandon Powell and Jalen Nailor come with question marks. Renfrow is the best available wideout in free agency, and the reliable pass-catcher could fill Osborn’s vacated spot in the slot.
3. Stephon Gilmore (CB)
Prediction Maker = Dustin Baker
A four-time Pro Bowler, Gilmore awaits his 2024 marching orders. He played for the New England Patriots from 2017 to 2020, crossing paths with Brian Flores in 2017 and 2018. Gilmore started all 17 games for last year’s Dallas Cowboys, registering a wonderful 74.4 Pro Football Focus grade for his troubles. If he signed with the Vikings — or almost any other team — it would represent five teams in five seasons for the 33-year-old.
He was also responsible for an admirable 82.7 passer-rating-against in 2023, which would’ve been wonderful by Vikings cornerbacks’ standards. For now, Minnesota has playable CBs in Byron Murphy, Mekhi Blackmon, Akayleb Evans, Andrew Booth, Shaquill Griffin, and rookie Khyree Jackson on the roster. Adding Gilmore could enhance the group.
The Flores-Gilmore connection checks out here on a team with no Pro Bowl-caliber CBs.
4. Treylon Burks (WR)
Prediction Maker = Brevan Bane
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is no stranger to attempting a reclamation project, and Tennessee’s new regime may want to move along off the former first-rounder who hasn’t come near to meeting expectations in Nashville.
He may not be straight-up released, but Minnesota could offer some of their small reserve of mid-late round draft picks to acquire the former Volunteer, who is only recently 24 years old and could complete the WR3 spot for the Vikings.
t5. Robert Woods (WR)
Prediction Maker = Ted Schwerzler
I think it’s relatively likely that Robert Woods finds himself on the outs for the Houston Texans. Being so deep at the wide receiver position, he is a cut candidate and would be an upgrade for the Vikings at their third wideout spot.
t5. Robert Woods (WR)
Prediction Maker = Wes Johnson
It’s no secret that the Vikings are set to enter training camp a little thin at WR with unproven players after Jefferson and Addison.
Adding a player there who can be depended on to contribute should be a must. With a lackluster pool of remaining free agents, the Vikings will look to the roster bubble/trade market to fill that need. That trade will come via a team with which KAM has a history of making deals.
Enter Robert Woods, a veteran wide receiver who very well may be on the roster bubble as a WR4 currently on the team. He’s in the last year of a two-year contract and has a deep history in a McVay-style offense. He would be a great WR3 for the Vikings this season. Depending on the outgoing compensation, the Vikings might even be able to recoup a late-round pick for the 2025 draft.
t6. Xavien Howard (CB)
Prediction Maker = Cole Smith
I expect Xavien Howard to be on the Vikings roster by the end of the summer. The four-time Pro Bowler played for Brian Flores in Miami, and there is open competition in the cornerback room.
t6. Xavien Howard (CB)
Prediction Maker = Ali Siddiqui
The Vikings could certainly use a cornerback, and he’s familiar with Brian Flores. Even at age 32, Howard will help the team as a player and mentor.
Vikings Linked to Free Agent Defender
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.
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