Who Will the Vikings Sign in Free Agency? 9 Predictions
In six weeks, the Minnesota Vikings will sign new free agents, with “legal tampering” beginning on March 9th. The club must first clear cap space to get into the green, but after that, fresh players will join the roster. And we have predictions for that process.
One name each — nine bets on the Vikings’ top March signing targets.
VikingsTerritory writers answered this question: If you had to stake your reputation on one external free agent whom the Vikings will pursue and sign in March, what’s that guy’s name?
Nine Predictions for the Vikings’ Free-Agent Signings
Our picks for the Vikings’ free-agent signees from a January perspective.
1. Cade Mays | C, CAR
Predictor: Wesley Johnson
Mays will be a free agent coming out of Carolina. He’s young enough (27 at the start of next season) and talented enough to help calm an inexperienced J.J. McCarthy. Mays projects as the 3rd-best free-agent center and might be available at a slightly discounted rate. At minimum, he will replace Ryan Kelly, who has likely played his last NFL snap.
2. Jimmy Garoppolo | QB, LAR
Predictor: Josh Frey
Garoppolo is an experienced, reliable veteran quarterback who spent the 2025 season in Sean McVay’s system. That’s a perfect fit in Kevin O’Connell’s offense.
3. Alontae Taylor | CB, NO
Predictor: Kyle Joudry
Taylor is a Brian Flores corner. Some size, can blitz, make plays on the ball, and be shuffled into the slot or play along the outside.
4. Alohi Gilman | S, BAL
Predictor: Janik Eckardt
The Vikings haven’t adequately replaced deep safety Camryn Bynum, and with Harrison Smith’s retirement looming, the club needs to add depth at safety. Gilman isn’t a flashy player, but his skill set is precisely what the Vikings need next to Joshua Metellus. The 28-year-old is assignment-sound as a deep safety and still provides help in the running game.
5. Reed Blakenship | S, PHI
Predictor: Ted Schwerzler
The Vikings could be in for a world of hurt if Harrison Smith is actually done. Reed Blankenship plays a very good safety and may help to lessen that blow. He’s just 27 and has played for an Eagles team that has won it all.
6. Greg Newsome II | CB, JAX
Predictor: Cole Smith
I could see the Vikings pursuing Jaguars cornerback Greg Newsome in March. He was a first-round pick by the Browns in 2021 when Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was in the front office, and he will only be 26 when the season starts.
7. Cordale Flott | CB, NYG
Predictor: Dustin Baker
Flott is just 24 years old, and the New York Giants have transitioned to an all-new coaching staff, led by John Harbaugh. The young corner may not be in the Giants’ offseason plan, and Flott can be signed for about eight or nine million bucks. He fits the mold of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s Isaiah Rodgers acquisition last year — taking a flyer on a relative unknown who won’t totally break the bank.
Flott graded at 66.9 per Pro Football Focus in 2025, with a 73.3 passer-rating-against. He also represented the Giants’ most dependable defensive back in 2025 in a group that included Jevon Holland, Paulson Adebo, and Deonte Banks.
If the Vikings sign Flott, they won’t be “forced” to spend their Round 1 pick on a cornerback. What’s more, Brian Flores proved in 2025 that he can cook with pretty good-but-not-great CBs.
t8. Kamren Curl | S, LAR
Predictor: Ali Siddiqui
With Harrison Smith very likely retiring, the Vikings need a safety. Josh Metellus is a versatile defender, but not someone you want as a starting safety. Curl would be a very good addition.
t8. Kamren Curl | S, LAR
Predictor: Adam New
The Vikings find their Harrison Smith replacement in Kam Curk. A seventh-round pick back in 2020, Curl has become an essential part of the Rams’ defense this season after starting his career in Washington.
t9. Tyler Linderbaum | C, BAL
Predictor: Henrique Gucciardi
The Ravens should do everything in their power to keep him in Baltimore, but if he goes to the open market, the Vikings should absolutely sign him. Ryan Kelly is a likely cap casualty, making center a position of need, and Linderbaum would complete the offensive line transformation.
t9. Tyler Linderbaum | C, BAL
Predictor: Tony Schultz
I think when it comes to free agency this year, we may be surprised by who the Vikings chase. Even being massively over the cap now does not mean the money that carries over from this year and any cuts or restructures to come can’t fix it.
If the team wants to shore up the offensive line once again, then they may go after center Tyler Linderbaum. The Ravens have cap space to keep him, but Minnesota might be able to sneak him out from under them and reverse the Ryan Kelly problem that concussions caused. Tariq Woolen will be another popular name attached to the team to shore up a thin cornerback room.
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