It’s Here. Your 2024 Vikings Free Agency Handbook.
You need a one-stop shop for all of the Minnesota Vikings 2024 free-agent doings — and this is that, with NFL players soon to be on the move in about one week.
In this second annual handbook, we’ll explain existing free agents who are free to sign anywhere, players theorized as cap casualties, men who could be traded, others who could be targeted for contractual restructuring, and realistic external free agents the Vikings could pursue.
It’s Here. Your 2024 Vikings Free Agency Handbook.
With free agency’s “legal tampering” period just nine days away, Minnesota has about $36 million to spend on the open market. At this time last year, the club was in the negative by $24 million. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has undoubtedly made the franchise more financially nimble.
Players will double up on this atlas; that’s just the nature of the beast. Cap-casualty guys could ultimately be traded — or some could expect restructures.
Alas, follow the atlas.
The Free Agents
These are men who played for the 2023 Vikings who are now able to sign anywhere beginning the week of March 11th.
- OT Hakeem Adeniji
- RB Cam Akers
- LB Anthony Barr
- IOL Blake Brandel
- DL Jonathan Bullard
- QB Kirk Cousins
- OLB Marcus Davenport
- QB Joshua Dobbs
- LB Troy Dye
- OLB Danielle Hunter
- LB Jordan Hicks
- TE Johnny Mundt
- TE Nick Muse
- K Greg Joseph
- DT James Lynch
- OT Oli Udoh
- G Chris Reed
- WR K.J. Osborn
- WR Brandon Powell
- OT David Quessenberry
- IOL Dalton Risner
- IOL Austin Schlottmann
- DL T.J. Smith
- DT Khyiris Tonga
- LB Nick Vigil
- OLB D.J. Wonnum
Cousins and Hunter obviously headline the group, but the others are important for depth. One item to monitor after the big-ticket guys like Cousins and Hunter? The trenches. Whether re-signing existing players, signing new ones, or going wild in the draft, Minnesota needs offensive and defensive linemen. Over half of the existing free agents play on the OL or DL.
Overall, you should expect about half of the players listed above to leave the team.
The Potential Cap Casualty Players
These are players under contract in 2024 but wouldn’t inspire utter shock if released.
- Garrett Bradbury (C)
- C.J. Ham (FB)
- Dean Lowry (DT)
- Nick Mullens (QB)
- Kene Nwangwu (RB)
- Harrison Smith (S)
Harrison Smith tops the list for notoriety: the man has played for the Vikings since 2012. His status is a mystery, possibly contemplating retirement, taking a paycut, or signing with a Super Bowl-contending team.
The others are somewhat ancillary, although moving on from Bradbury after five seasons would be rather noteworthy.
The Trade Candidates
- Andrew Booth (CB)
- Lewis Cine (S)
Last offseason, this list was ginormous, with men like Dalvin Cook, Za’Darius Smith, Danielle Hunter, and even Kirk Cousins at least whispered in the trade rumor mill.
This year, however, it’s tiny. In theory, Minnesota could trade Booth or Cine for draft picks, but that feels unlikely. Per outgoing players via trade, the Vikings probably won’t do much this offseason. Trading up the board on draft night or for veteran players is fair game, though.
The Restructure Candidates
Again — names double up here; that’s just how it works in the offseason. These are players whom Adofo-Mensah wants on the 2024 roster but targets for moving money into the future when the salary cap inevitably inflates.
- T.J. Hockenson (TE)
- Brian O’Neill (RT)
- Byron Murphy (CB)
- Harrison Smith (S)
Keep in mind: most of these money moves would be procedural. These are “move the money” around candidates aside from Smith.
Looking for Large Extensions
Consider these players already under contract but looking to secure their next big contract.
- Christian Darrisaw (LT)
- Justin Jefferson (WR)
Darrisaw is probably a 2025 offseason item, but he’ll want a sizeable next contract, rest assured. For Jefferson, well, that talking point has dominated eight weeks of the Vikings’ offseason so far. A deal could come together and finalize at any minute.
The Free Agent Targets
Admittedly, this is a crapshoot because one must hijack Adofo-Mensah’s psyche to know his wishlist. But keep these names in mind. Relatively obscure names are excluded.
Quarterback
- Jacoby Brissett (WAS)
- Drew Lock (SEA)
- Gardner Minshew (IND)
- Russell Wilson (DEN) [if released]
Running Back
- Saquon Barkley (NYG)
- JK Dobbins (BAL)
- Austin Ekeler (LAC)
- Antonio Gibson (WAS)
- Derrick Henry (TEN)
- Josh Jacobs (LV)
- Zack Moss (IND)
- Tony Pollard (DAL)
- D’Andre Swift (PHI)
Wide Receiver
- Noah Brown (HOU)
- Tyler Boyd (CIN)
- Kendrick Bourne (NE)
- DJ Chark (CAR)
- Gabe Davis (BUF)
- Darnell Mooney (CHI)
- Josh Reynolds (DET)
- Curtis Samuel (WAS)
- Rashid Shaheed (NO)
- Michael Thomas (NO)
Outside Linebacker
- Jadeveon Clowney (BAL)
- A.J. Epenesa (BUF)
- Jonathan Greenard (HOU)
- Bryce Huff (NYJ)
- Carl Lawson (NYJ)
- Za’Darius Smith (CLE)
- Josh Uche (NE)
- Andrew Van Ginkel (MIA)
- Chase Young (SF)
Defensive Tackle
- Raekwon Davis (MIA)
- Maurice Hurst (CLE)
- Da’Quan Jones (BUF)
- Javon Kinlaw (SF)
- Sheldon Rankins (HOU)
- Christian Wilkins (MIA)
- Leonard Williams (NYG)
Cornerback
- Kendall Fuller (WAS)
- Chidobe Awuzie (CIN)
- Stephon Gilmore (DAL)
- Steven Nelson (HOU)
- Kenny Moore II (IND)
- Sean Murphy-Bunting (TEN)
One Kirk Cousins Rumor Is Finally Dead
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.
You must be logged in to post a comment.