The Most Important Positions for the Minnesota Vikings to Address in 2025, Ranked
With the Super Bowl set to take place on Sunday, the NFL is about to officially turn all of its attention to the offseason.
NFL free agency is just over five weeks away, and the Minnesota Vikings are entering that free agency period with one of the highest cap space totals in the league. With that money, Minnesota has a chance to go out and improve upon a roster that led them to a 14-3 record in 2024.
Here is a look at the five positions that the Vikings need to address this offseason.
5. Inside Linebacker
The Vikings certainly have a dynamic duo in their starting lineup at the inside linebacker position in Blake Cashman and Ivan Pace. The duo combined for 184 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, and nine passes defended.
However, both Cashman and Pace missed time in 2024 due to injury, and Kamu Grugier-Hill was the guy to fill in the majority of the time while they were out. Grugier-Hill is now a free agent though, and Minnesota’s only depth inside linebacker left on the roster is Brian Asamoah, who has played fewer than 40 defensive snaps in each of the past two seasons.
The Vikings need to find some depth at the linebacker position, not only in case of injury to Cashman or Pace, but also to help out on special teams as Grugier-Hill played the second-most special teams snaps on the team this season
4. Defensive Tackle
There certainly is an argument for the defensive tackle position to land higher on this list. However, Brian Flores has continued to prove that he doesn’t need overwhelming talent or money attached to this spot in order to create a stout defensive scheme.
All throughout the 2024 offseason, Vikings fans were clamoring for a bigger emphasis on the defensive tackle group, but instead, Minnesota splurged on edge rushers like Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and first-round pick Dallas Turner. At defensive tackle, it was largely production through committee with the biggest standout player once again being Harrison Phillips.
Even still, it’s hard to imagine a Flores defense with a big-name DT wouldn’t find even more success in 2025. Perhaps the Vikings go after a name with the 24th overall pick like Walter Nolen, Kenneth Grant, or Tyleik Williams.
3. Running Back
Through three seasons as the Vikings’ head coach, Kevin O’Connell has led the team to two playoff appearances, but in the end, a lack of a consistent rushing attack has spelled trouble for Minnesota’s offense when it matters most.
Aaron Jones played well in purple this past season, but it constantly seemed like he was playing through a nagging injury or two, and he is now 30 years of age. The Vikings parted ways with Dalvin Cook at the first signs of decline, and it may be wise to expect the same with Jones.
If Jones does not return in 2025, the RB room in Minnesota consists of only Ty Chandler on a one-year deal. Obviously, depth can be found if Cam Akers is brought back, but fans probably should expect the Vikings to draft a running back at some point during the second day of the draft.
2. Interior Offensive Line
Perhaps more important than adding a running back this offseason could be improving the interior offensive line, particularly by snagging one of the top guards in free agency. Dalton Risner ultimately replaced Ed Ingram at the right guard spot.
The experiment of Blake Brandel/Garrett Bradbury/Risner had ups and downs throughout the season, but come January, it was definitively a negative experience for that trio. With Risner heading into free agency, and Bradbury in the final year of his current contract and no real signs of major improvement, the Vikings would be wise to target at least one interior offensive linemen in this free agency cycle.
1. Cornerback
Cornerback absolutely is the major position of need for Minnesota this offseason. The Vikings currently employ just Mekhi Blackmon and Dwight McGlothern as the true cornerbacks on their roster with Byron Murphy, Stephon Gilmore, and Shaquill Griffin all heading towards free agency.
Obviously, the hope is that an agreement can be reached with Murphy to keep him on the team for the long-term, but it would still be wise for the Vikings to find more talent at the position whether it be through free agency or in the draft.
The draft offers intriguing names like Benjamin Morrison and Shavon Revel, who have terrific talent but may tumble down the board due to injuries. Snagging one of those players would provide some extra insurance at the position.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Reference.
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