The Minnesota Vikings have already done significant heavy lifting in free agency. They still have a couple of places to focus on, and they have some money left to spend. What is a profound positive, however, is that they are already addressing the edges of the roster.
Vikings Addressed Edges of Roster Early
It’s great that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has gone to work and brought in a gaggle of new starters. Those players will be the ones to bolster the roster in the biggest way. The Vikings saw a significant amount of free agents leave, though, and they must also have a level of depth.
Thursday saw the signing of a depth tackle and special teams defensive back. Friday brought the addition of another linebacker. Those moves aren’t going to generate the same level of splash that the big acquisitions up front have, but they are integral additions to the roster.
While an NFL roster is capped at 53 players, the true impact and building process is substantially more involved than just that group. If Kevin O’Connell’s team is going to replicate the success they saw in 2024, then it will be because they can withstand adversity and have players on the fringes capable of stepping up.
One can hope that neither new tackle Justin Skule nor defensive back Tavierre Thomas is needed in a regular capacity. Eric Wilson will factor in a bit more as a linebacker, but he shouldn’t be expected to start. That said, if each of them can provide a level of practicality, then they will have served their purpose.
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will remain active in free agency until he feels the roster is set. Minnesota gained another draft pick but still has just three to their credit. Rather than having to go with a set position or need, they should be able to focus on the player that will most immediately impact their overall talent.
To say that the Vikings have won free agency is probably putting it lightly. Minnesota had a ton of cap space to use, and they hit an absolute home run with how they handed it out.
Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes daily for Minnesota Sports Fan. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.