4 Vikings Names in PFF’s Top 250 Free Agents
We are at the time of year when Pro Football Focus puts out its list of the top pending free agents. This year, the list runs to 250, but only four Vikings make the cut.
Four Vikings Crack PFF’s Free Agent Rankings
One reason there are so few Vikings on the list is that Minnesota doesn’t have many pending free agents. There are only 15 unrestricted free agents, and only 10 of them were on the active roster at the end of the season. Arguably, the team’s most notable free agent, Jalen Redmond, is an exclusive rights free agent, while Ivan Pace is a restricted free agent.
A couple of key special teamers, punter Ryan Wright and long snapper Andrew DePaola, are set to be free agents, as is long-time fullback C.J. Ham, who basically confirmed his retirement after the last game of the 2025 season. None of those make PFF’s list, so let’s see who did.
Harrison Smith | PFF grade: 72.3
The expectation is that Harrison Smith probably retire, but on the off chance that he doesn’t. His reputation and the performance level of his 14th season in the league still warrant a place in the top 100. The Hitman comes in at number 72 on PFF’s list – the only Viking in the top 100.
PFF’s analysis of Smith at 82 is as follows;
One of the premier safeties of his era, a 36-year-old Smith was again effective in 2025 with the Vikings. The six-time Pro Bowler allowed just an 81.0 passer rating when targeted and logged a 67.6 PFF coverage grade, although he missed a career-high 19.4% of his tackle attempts. He will likely be weighing whether to come back for his 15th NFL season, with the prior 14 coming in Minnesota.
I think we have passed the point where Smith might go and play for another team. The question is, will he feel like he’s got more left in the tank after a good end to the 2025 season, or will he be happy to bow out knowing he gave a good account of himself until the end?
Jalen Nailor | PFF grade: 62.5
Falling just outside the top 100 at number 115 is Vikings WR3 Jalen Nailor. A sixth-round pick in 2022, Nailor, along with RB Ty Chandler, are the only players from Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s first draft as Vikings GM to make it to the end of their rookie contract — a damning stat. I see no reason to offer Chandler a new contract, but Nailor is the only interesting free agency decision this offseason.
Nailor arguably showed more chemistry with J.J. McCarthy than any other player on the Vikings offense. Ideally, Nailor returns to Minnesota to maintain his WR3 duties, but his elite speed will give him a role in any offense. With over 800 receiving yards and 10 TDs over the last two seasons, there should be a market for Nailor’s services.
178. Fabian Moreau | PFF grade: 66.6
At number 178 is Fabian Moreau, a cornerback who has spent the last two seasons in Minnesota with a spell on the San Francisco 49ers practice squad sandwiched in between. Moreau has provided solid depth for the Vikings over the last two seasons, so a minimum deal to bring him back for training camp would seem sensible.
196. Justin Skule | PFF grade: 68.7
Finally, we have Justin Skule at number 196. The offensive tackle was brought in to cover for Christian Darrisaw, who was a doubt to start the season. Darrisaw didn’t play until Week 3 and saw his season end in Week 14 – missing another game in between.
That meant Skule started nine games in 2025. He was solid for a backup, grading 60+ in both pass-blocking and run-blocking. That isn’t franchise left tackle play that a healthy Darrisaw provides the team, but it is worthy of a depth place on the roster. The Vikings will hope whoever their backup tackle is in 2026 isn’t required to start nine games.
One Notable Snub
One Viking notable by their absence is Eric Wilson. The veteran linebacker was viewed as having an excellent season on returning to Minnesota by most onlookers – apparently not those at PFF. It was noticeable during the season that Wilson received some surprisingly poor grades and finished the season with just a 62.1 overall grade.
The 31-year-old apparently doesn’t warrant a place in the top 250 free agents. Hopefully (but unlikely), the rest of the league is as slow as the Vikings, making Wilson’s return a simple task.
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