Top 5 Vikings Free Agent Options at Guard
We are just 10 days away from the start of NFL free agency, and having previously looked at options for the interior defensive line, I am now going to look at the top 5 FA options for Vikings at Guard.
With over $60 million of salary cap space to play with, Minnesota’s general manager, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, is ready to attack free agency aggressively and will look hard into a big acquisition at guard.
Top 5 Vikings Free Agent Options at Guard
In the aftermath of a promising season falling away badly, both Adofo-Mensah and Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell have stated that improvement on the interior of the offensive line is needed for this team to step up to the level of the top teams in the NFL. Trey Smith was the top name on the market, but the Kansas City Chiefs slapped the franchise tag to ensure he stays in town. Viking fans shouldn’t fret too much, as there are still good options out there.
5. James Daniels
After an average six seasons in the league, James Daniels was turning in a career year in Pittsburgh, earning a 92.9 overall grade from Pro Football Focus before a torn Achilles in Week 4. The injury meant we never saw if Daniels could maintain that level over a full season. At just 27 years old and with seven years of experience behind him, there’s plenty to like at the right price.
4. Aaron Banks
Aaron Banks, a former second-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers, has shown steady growth over his four-year rookie deal. The downside is his habit of picking up niggling injuries which cause him to miss a game here and there when you really want the linemen to be ever-present. Banks moves very well in the run game for his size (6’5, 325 lbs), which O’Connell should be looking for as his team looks to improve their ground game. His pass blocking is reasonable, but he still has room to grow in pass protection.
3. Mekhi Becton
A transition from tackle to guard saw Mekhi Becton become the latest lineman to shine in Philadelphia under the tutelage of Jeff Stoutland. Becton is on the long list of New York Jets failures after they drafted him with the 11th overall pick in 2020. Injuries and poor play saw him leave the Jets and sign a one-year deal with the Eagles. The move re-ignited Becton’s career, and he will now look to cash in.
The question for teams and Becton himself is whether he wants to stay at guard and whether last season’s success can be emulated outside Philadelphia. It’s an option the Vikings should explore if they fail to land one of the top two players on this list.
2. Teven Jenkins
Teven Jenkins has the talent. His time in Chicago has been hampered by injuries and constant change of position, going from right tackle to left tackle to left guard during his time with the Bears. If the Vikings brought him in and gave him a settled position, and he can stay consistently healthy, they would have a guard who is solid in both phases of the game — a highly sought-after commodity.
Jenkins won’t come cheap, but he should be attainable for under the $20 million mark the top guards have recently fetched in free agency. There would also be the added bonus of stealing a good player away from a division rival.
1. Will Fries
Injury has been a disappointingly common theme in this list, and it rears its ugly head again with our top prospect. Will Fries made tremendous strides throughout his rookie contract and, having started the 2024 season strong, earned an overall grade of 86.8 from PFF. Unfortunately, he was struck with a devastating injury when he fractured his tibia in Week 5 against the Jacksonville Jaguars and underwent immediate surgery.
Fries has put plenty of tape to suggest he is worth a significant investment, which is why he’s my top pick for the Vikings, not just for the position but for the whole of free agency. This is the guy the Vikings need to go and get if they want their offense to take the next step in 2025.
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