The 5 Free Agents Most Likely to Join the Vikings
Hundreds of free agents are set to hit the open market on Monday when “legal tampering” begins, so it’s not an easy task to pinpoint exactly who the Minnesota Vikings will sign. But we will try. Last year, we nailed the Jonathan Allen signing, even if it only lasted one season.
These names check key boxes for scheme fit, cost, and roster need.
Based mainly on current Vikings coaches’ ties to former players, these are the most likely free agents to sign with the Vikings, listed alphabetically.
The 5 Targets That Make the Most Sense for Minnesota
On a skinny budget, Vikings free agency starts Monday.
1. Larry Borom (OT)
The Vikings recently hired Frank Smith, the Miami Dolphins’ offensive coordinator for the last four seasons, and he now holds the title of assistant head coach. Borom worked for the 2025 Dolphins, so the player-coach connection is front and center.
Minnesota needs credible OT depth in 2026 because Christian Darrisaw’s ACL recovery didn’t go as planned last year, and Brian O’Neill is “getting up there” in age. The team can re-sign Justin Skule rather easily, but it might need to pull one more lever for a veteran offensive tackle.
Borom can be the lever, and his next contract should cost a team around $3 million per year.
2. Montaric Brown (CB)
Minnesota added Ryan Nielsen to the defensive coaching staff a few weeks ago, and he crossed paths with Montaric Brown in Jacksonville when Nielsen served as the Jaguars’ defensive coordinator. At 26 years old, Brown enters free agency with a strong résumé. In 2023, he allowed a 74.3 passer rating and earned a 72.8 overall PFF grade, including a 75.5 coverage grade.
With an estimated market value between $9–10 million per year, his price aligns with the Vikings’ budget this cycle.
While Jacksonville could retain him — similar to predictions for Seattle and Riq Woolen — Brown will be a sought-after commodity if the Jaguars choose otherwise. Selected in the 7th Round of the 2022 draft, he has developed into a dependable defender.
Standing at 6’0″ and 190 pounds, Brown could be a valuable addition for any team seeking a consistent cornerback.
3. Andre Cisco (S)
Cisco also worked for the 2024 Jaguars under Nielsen. At 25 years old and with 71 career games (55 starts), he is entering free agency, rumored to be worth around $4 million per season. His PFF grades have consistently been in the mid-60s, reflecting reliable performance.
Cisco has been somewhat of an unsung hero, a common situation for defenders on the New York Jets. His low profile belies his effectiveness; he excels at stopping the run and can be relied upon in downfield coverage.
A former 3rd-Round pick, he has performed well consistently each year. The Vikings could add Cisco and toss him into a summer safety battle among Theo Jackson, Jay Ward, and Josh Metellus.
4. Luke Fortner (C)
Fortner, 27, is projected to command a contract worth $6–8 million per season. His 2025 PFF grade was 66.5, with a 72.5 pass-protection grade and a 65.3 run-blocking grade. Fortner is a solid, ascending center.
The Vikings’ approach to the center position will depend on the upcoming draft. With at least nine picks in April (barring trades), Minnesota’s front office will have ample opportunity to secure a long-term starter on a rookie contract.
If the team opts for free agency, Fortner could be a viable target, especially after Ryan Kelly’s retirement on Friday. Fortner jells with the Vikings’ roster age profile, and his projected salary is reasonable compared to the market’s top-tier options.
Tyler Linderbaum, the premier free-agent center, is expected to command around $20 million annually, a figure likely beyond Minnesota’s current spending threshold.
This cost disparity reflects their respective career trajectories. Fortner, drafted in the 3rd Round in 2022, evolved into a full-time starter in Jacksonville and demonstrated significant improvement by 2025. He’s a decent Kelly replacement at a reasonable cost.
5. Asante Samuel Jr. (CB)
Before signing with Pittsburgh, Samuel Jr. visited several teams in November 2025, including the Vikings in Eagan. He [probably] met with head coach Kevin O’Connell, defensive coordinator Brian Flores, and then general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
That visit is significant because the Vikings have an existing connection with Samuel Jr. Although he ultimately chose the Steelers, the situation in Pittsburgh has since changed with Mike Tomlin’s departure. Given that Flores remains a logical fit for Samuel’s skill set, a renewed pursuit by the Vikings makes sense.
Samuel Jr.’s PFF grades since entering the league are as follows:
2021: 56.4
2022: 72.6
2023: 73.9
2024: 59.3
2025: 67.2
While his 2024 grade dipped, his performance in 2022 and 2023 demonstrates his potential as a reliable starting cornerback capable of matching up against top receiving threats. If Minnesota can unlock that level of play, acquiring Samuel Jr. could be a worthwhile move, especially considering his youth, experience against elite receivers, and stylistic alignment with Flores’s man-heavy scheme.
Financially, the move would likely involve a short-term, low-risk contract. A one- or two-year “prove it” deal would keep costs down.
And it’s worth noting that the Samuel Jr. rumor for the Vikings is coming up on a year old.
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