Jan 13, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback L'Jarius Sneed (38) reacts against the Miami Dolphins during the first half of the 2024 AFC wild card game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports.
The NFL’s “legal tampering” period of free agency begins on March 11th, also known as 7.5 weeks away.
The Minnesota Vikings will assuredly add new players, more equipped with cap space than in recent years.
So, as predictions for Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s spending, these are our bold predictions for the Vikings’ free-agent targets.
Prediction Maker: Kyle Joudry
If there’s no franchise tag, then it’s Justin Madubuike. The Baltimore defensive tackle is coming off a season where he picked up 13 sacks and 33 QB hits (for reference, Danielle Hunter was at 16.5 sacks and 22 QB hits). The pass-rushing DT just turned 26 on November 17th and was named a second-team All-Pro following the season. Back up the Brinks truck and sign the man.
Prediction Maker: Adam New
The Vikings need to add an impact player or two at every level of the defense this offseason. Minnesota is overdue to spend early draft capital on the defensive front, which leaves addressing cornerback in free agency. Brian Flores asks a lot of his CBs in an aggressive system, similar to Steve Spagnuolo in Kansas City, making L’Jarius Sneed a great fit for the Vikings. He won’t come cheap, but an aggressive CB who is sticky in coverage and well-versed on being left on an island as his defensive coordinator “sends the house” is exactly what the Vikings need. Book it.
Prediction Maker: Nate Powalie
The former Ohio State Buckeye has emerged into a very intriguing wide receiver in the NFL with the Washington Commanders, and his h-back WR mold is similar to that of a Deebo Samuel. If Samuel signs with Minnesota, he can provide plenty of explosiveness and versatility to partner with Justin Jefferson and K.J. Osborn.
Prediction Maker: Wes Johnson
Tell me if you’ve heard this story before: Vikings sign DE after an inconsistent, injury-altered season. A year after swinging and missing with then-free agent Marcus Davenport, GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah returns to the drawing board with a similar “prove it” deal. Young, who spent most of the season recovering from offseason knee surgery, takes a bag full of cash and looks to reset his market heading into 2025.
Prediction Maker: Dustin Baker
This 25-year-old posted 10 sacks in 17 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 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 tallied a 79.7 Pro Football Focus grade this season, seeing action on 480 defensive snaps.
He and Danielle Hunter — hopefully the Vikings re-sign him — could formulate a fearsome pass-rushing duo in 2024.
Prediction Maker: Ali Siddiqui
The Vikings could use an outstanding cornerback. Akayleb Evans looked okay at times, and Byron Murphy Jr. had his moments where he looked very good but didn’t meet expectations. Mekhi Blackmon had a promising rookie year. Johnson would be a huge get and be taken away from a division rival.
Prediction Maker: Cole Smith
The big-name free agent that I believe the Vikings target is DT Christian Wilkins. The Vikings desperately need help along the defensive line, and Wilkins is familiar with Brian Flores.
Prediction Maker: Ted Schwerzler
The Vikings haven’t had a solid running game for most of O’Connell’s tenure. Swift allows Minnesota to fix that immediately.
Prediction Maker: Josh Frey
The Vikings will likely be without T.J. Hockenson for a good chunk of the 2024 season, so they need reliable pass-catchers around Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson. By going after Boyd, they can create a terrific trio at the WR position.
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.