5 Free Agent Safety Options the Vikings Could Target
In Week 18, the Minnesota Vikings hosted what felt like a farewell party for Harrison Smith, who wrapped up Year No. 14 in the NFL. Smith will turn 37 on Monday, and if he retires, Minnesota will need a replacement starting safety, either from free agency, the NFL draft, or via trade. Consider these the best free-agent options for a team on a condensed budget.
Cap space should open up soon, and Minnesota’s next safety could come from a practical free-agent tier with Flores-friendly traits.
The Vikings must clear about $45-$50 million in cap space in the coming weeks, but after that, a new safety may be on the menu in March.
Minnesota’s FA Shortlist at Safety for 2026
Ranking the Vikings’ best free-agent safety options, with No. 1 as the top pick.
5. Reed Blankenship (PHI)
Age: 26
2025 PFF Grade: 46.5
PFF Pass Coverage: 32.7
PFF Run Defense: 73.9
Estimated Market Value: $7-9M
Blankenship had an extreme down year by his standards in 2025; he usually posts a PFF grade in the 70s. But like his team’s finish to the 2025 campaign, he fell short of expectations.
The Eagles’ safety blends experience, quasi-affordability, and pre-2025 production that could be used in Brian Flores’ defense. If Flores can restore Blankenship to his 2024 standard, the Vikings would onboard a hard-hitting safety right after their longtime hard-hitting legend, Smith, (possibly) walked away.
4. Alohi Gilman (BAL)
Age: 28
2025 PFF Grade: 70.4
PFF Pass Coverage: 71.9
PFF Run Defense: 71.6
Estimated Market Value: $4-6M
Gilman is probably the best football player on this — but he’s also the oldest.
Now departed Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah left the franchise with an “old” roster, all things considered, and if Minnesota hopes to replace Smith, it might prefer youth. If new general manager Rob Brzezinski does not hold this philosophy — basically meaning Flores dictates otherwise — Gilman should be the primary free-agent target.
Gilman could also return to Baltimore. Ebony Bird‘s Eamon Cassell noted last week, “Re-signing Gilman could actually be fairly cheap. According to Spotrac, Gilman’s projected annual salary is $4.7 million. A two-year deal worth $9.4 million is the exact number Spotrac projects for Gilman. That’s a very reasonable number for the 28-year-old safety, especially given the versatility that he allows the Ravens to unlock.”
“Even a longer-term deal worth a similar annual amount could be worthwhile for Baltimore. With his connection to Minter, I’m sure Gilman will be more excited to return. Likewise, I’m sure Minter will push to re-sign Gilman, especially if it’s on such a cheap deal. Overall, the Ravens re-signing Gilman has never seemed more likely, and that’s a clear positive for the team.”
3. Andre Cisco (NYJ)
Age: 25
2025 PFF Grade: 61.3
PFF Pass Coverage: 54.5
PFF Run Defense: 75.6
Estimated Market Value: $4-6M
Cisco was buried on a futile Jets team this year, but could represent an unearthed gem in Minnesota if Brzezinski and Flores take the plunge.
He perfectly balances youth and affordability. Cisco was a 3rd-Round pick in 2021 by the Jacksonville Jaguars and has played a ton of football in five seasons, with 71 games and 55 starts.
2. Dane Belton (NYG)
Age: 25
2025 PFF Grade: 62.3
PFF Pass Coverage: 59.8
PFF Run Defense: 70.7
Estimated Market Value: $6-8M
Never heard of Belton? That’s okay. He flies under the radar with the Giants because that franchise used a defensive secondary with Jevon Holland, Paulson Adebo, and Deonte Banks in 2025. Still, Belton held his own per performance with that group and will look to cash in this March in free agency.
Like Cisco, Belton features youth and affordability.
1. Nick Cross (IND)
Age: 24
2025 PFF Grade: 59.8
PFF Pass Coverage: 50.4
PFF Run Defense: 72.0
Estimated Market Value: $6-8M
If you played fantasy football with individual defensive players (IDP), you probably know Cross. He’s a stat-sheet stuffer. And that doesn’t have to be bad.
SI.com‘s Drake Wally on Cross: “Cross’ 2024 saw him break out following two underwhelming campaigns in 2022 and 2023. Cross put up 146 tackles, six tackles for loss, 1.0 sacks, three picks, and five pass breakups. Cross continued the momentum from last year by playing all 17 games and logging 120 more tackles, five tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, an interception of Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert, and five more pass breakups.”
“The former Maryland Terrapin played well enough this year to warrant consideration from Indianapolis to get him a new deal. Given that he’s only 24 years old and has already played 67 games (38 starts), he might just be scratching the surface.”
Cross encountered a quieter year in 2025 with a new defensive coordinator and former Vikings safety Camryn Bynum, but in 2024, Cross cooked. Here’s his PFF resume since 2022:
2022: 56.5
2023: 71.8
2024: 70.3
2025: 59.8
There’s a decent chance that Flores can bring Cross back to PFF grades in the 70s. That’s what Flores does. Habitually. See: linebacker Eric Wilson in 2025.
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