Yes, it’s week 17 and the Minnesota Vikings are currently a 12-win football team. It’s never too early to start thinking about the future.
We have already started our SKOL Search series trying to identify future Vikings in the draft and now it’s time to take a look at some potential free-agent targets.
The Vikings currently have -$6.6 million in cap space going into 2023 per Over the Cap but they will create cap space with multiple moves this season.
There are multiple positions that the Vikings will target in the offseason and that means that free agents will be joining the Vikings. Let’s take a look at some potential options.
Wide receiver
The Vikings have one of the best receivers in the National Football League in Justin Jefferson, but the depth behind him has a lot of questions. Adam Thielen has taken a step toward regression and K.J. Osborn has been subpar outside of his tremendous game against the Indianapolis Colts. Pair that with Jalen Reagor’s struggles and there isn’t a lot of high-end depth. Jalen Nailor has some potential but that’s all it is at the moment.
With the Vikings’ cap situation and a weaker free agent class right now, they won’t be breaking the bank, but they potentially could bring in a lower priced veteran.
Nelson Agholor
Sterling Shepard
Allen Lazard
Running back
This is going to be an interesting position to see the Vikings navigate this off-season. Dalvin Cook is on the books for nearly $13 million and Alexander Mattsion is a free agent. Not only is this free-agent class of running backs really deep, but so is the NFL draft class. With Kwesi Adofo-Mensah having his first full offseason, he will be able to continue to shape this organization and running back could be the start.
With Ty Chandler having been selected in the fifth round, a veteran who knows the system and thrives in running in zone concepts would likely be the priority.
Raheem Mostert
D'Ernest Johnson
Jerick McKinnon
Jamaal Williams
Miles Sanders
Jeff Wilson Jr.
Devin Singletary
Defensive line
One of the areas that the Vikings could end up trying to save some money is by cutting ties with Dalvin Tomlinson. Even if they don’t, they need to find a starter on the other side. Jonathan Bullard was somewhat capable but a bicep injury has kept him out for a good portion of the season.
Larry Ogunjobi
David Onyemata
A'Shawn Robinson
Taven Bryan
Jarran Reed
Matt Ioannidis
Cornerback
The injuries at the cornerback position have made this evaluation a bit murky. Duke Shelley has played well, but he isn’t someone you want starting full-time on the outside. Patrick Peterson is a free agent after the season so the Vikings will need to look for a veteran presence in the secondary to fortify the position.
Cameron Sutton
Eli Apple
Byron Murphy
Sean Murphy-Bunting
Emmanuel Moseley
Kyle Fuller
Rock Ya-Sin
Bryce Callahan
Greedy Williams
