5 Big-Name Free Agents for Vikings to Pursue
If the Minnesota Vikings knock off the Detroit Lions in Week 18 alongside a loss by the Green Bay Packers to the Chicago Bears, an Arizona Cardinals win over the Seattle Seahawks, and either a Tampa Bay Buccaneers or New Orleans Saints loss, Minnesota would waltz into the postseason.
That’s also known as a Week 18 prayer.
5 Big-Name Free Agents for Vikings to Pursue
The year is winding down for the Vikings, and the offseason could begin as early as Sunday night or Monday morning, depending on one’s perception.
And with 2023 nearing the rearview, here are five high-profile free agents the club could pursue in March. They’re listed in alphabetical order.
1. Marquise Brown (WR)
After four years with the club, the Vikings will likely say goodbye to K.J. Osborn this offseason. Then, it could promote Brandon Powell or Jalen Nailor to WR3 and hope for the best.
Otherwise, several free-agent wideouts will hit the open market, and Marquise Brown’s production would fit nicely in Minnesota. He’s posted high-end WR3 numbers in recent years, and from 2020 to 2021, WR2 performance.
Brown won’t be too expensive — well, not cheap, but won’t break the bank — and could complement Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison well for a couple of years.
2. Bryce Huff (EDGE)
This 25-year-old has posted 8 sacks in 16 games as a reservist player for the New York Jets. Examining his free agency, he’s similar to Harrison Phillips in 2022 — a high-end backup waiting for his opportunity to start somewhere.
That could be the Vikings, a team only showcasing Patrick Jones and Andre Carter as EDGE rushers under contract in 2024. Huff has posted a 75.9 Pro Football Focus grade this season, seeing action on 454 defensive snaps.
He and Danielle Hunter — hopefully the Vikings re-sign him — could formulate a fearsome pass-rushing duo in 2024.
3. L’Jarius Sneed (CB)
Minnesota has building-block cornerbacks, none of whom are very old:
- Mekhi Blackmon
- Byron Murphy
- Akayleb Evans
- Andrew Booth
And the Flores defense only really plays three in the rotation (before injuries arise). So, based on one’s perception, this CB batch could blossom further.
However, Sneed and others are free agents. The Vikings could get better at corner and hedge the bet of maturation of the four men listed above.
Sneed has netted a 71.1 PFF grade in 2023 — playing nearly 100% of the time — and a 56.2 passer-rating-against. He’d be worth the investment.
4. D’Andre Swift (RB)
Alexander Mattison, Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu, and DeWayne McBride are under contract in 2023, but no one expects the Vikings to roll into 2024 with that foursome. Minnesota’s ground game has struggled profusely this season and desperately needs repair.
Swift has logged 1,263 yards from scrimmage this season and 4.7 yards per touch. Yes, please.
He should be gettable in free agency for $6-$7 million per year. The Eagle turns 25 next week.
5. Josh Uche (EDGE)
Uche isn’t a game wrecker or anything close to it, but his 66.1 PFF pass-rushing grade suggests he could further blossom in 2024. If Kwesi Adofo-Mensah prefers a bargain-bin EDGE alternative, this is the guy.
He’s a former 2nd-Rounder and will turn 26 next September, around the age Adofo-Mensah generally targets for roster newcomers.
Uche wouldn’t be a homerun signing, but if the Vikings re-sign Kirk Cousins, they’ll be cash-strapped and need to get creative for other depth chart solutions.
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 Vikings 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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