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Vikings Eyeing Two Linemen in Free Agency + Lots More…
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- Vikings Eyeing Two Linemen in Free Agency + Lots More…
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
With the 2025 NFL Combine in the books, the Minnesota Vikings are gearing up for March 10, when the free agent negotiating period begins. On March 12, the new league year kicks off and teams can officially start signing free agents at 3 p.m. CST.
The Vikings have some big decisions to make in the next week, and they need to have a plan because we all know the NFL offseason waits for nobody. Things are expected to move fast next Wednesday, and Minnesota has key players like Aaron Jones , Byron Murphy Jr. , Cam Bynum and Shaq Griffin all set to hit the market. Then, there's Harrison Smith and Stephon Gilmore , who are both reportedly pondering retirement.
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Minnesota Vikings looking at Will Fries and Milton Williams
Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
Besides possibly re-signing some of their own players, the Minnesota Vikings are expected to be extremely active when the negotiating period begins on Monday. According to Alec Lewis (The Athletic), there are two notable mid-20-year-old top free agent linemen to keep an eye on, one on each side of the ball — Colts guard Will Fries and Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams.
The Vikings are going to be active when free agency begins next week. They need reinforcements on the interior of the offensive line, the interior of the defensive line, at cornerback and elsewhere. They also have more than $60 million in cap space. The market will be competitive, but Minnesota will be squarely in the mix for some premium options.
The two most interesting targets are guard Will Fries and defensive tackle Milton Williams . Secure one of those players, and the Vikings will immediately strengthen the trenches, which is a primary offseason focus. Miss out on both players, and Minnesota will adapt with more money to spend at different spots. Simply put: Expect a flurry of activity.
Fries, a seventh-round pick by the Colts in 2021, just wrapped up a stellar 2024 season, earning an impressive 86.9 PFF grade , and making him a valuable target for teams looking to solidify their offensive line… like the Minnesota Vikings.
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Williams, fresh off a Super Bowl win with the Eagles, had a dominant season as a pass rusher. He posted a remarkable 90.4 PFF grade , ranking second in the NFL behind only Chiefs star Chris Jones . With that kind of production, he's expected to be a highly sought-after name in free agency, especially for teams needing interior pass-rush help.
VIKINGS FREE AGENT SPOTLIGHT: Milton Williams
I've heard plenty of people dismiss DT in Free Agency because the draft is stacked, but Milton Williams is too talented to pass up on. He is such a versatile pass rusher that would immediately elevate the whole DL unit. He is coming… https://t.co/kuPz0053Xw pic.twitter.com/JxoKzEXTT8— πππ¨π (@verysadvikings) February 27, 2025
Vikings are gonna be very busy this month
Like Lewis says, landing one of these guys would be a massive boost for the trenches. However, what's just as interesting is Lewis' final note : "Simply put: Expect a flurry of activity." He's predicting a busy free agency period for the MN Vikings, which should make for an exciting month for fans. With plenty of roster moves on the horizon, Minnesota's front office has some big decisions to make.
It'll be interesting to see which players the Minnesota Vikings bring back and who they sign in free agency as they build toward the 2025 season. With key positions to address, this could be a defining offseason for the team. Whether they make a splash with a big signing or focus on depth, the next few weeks could shape the roster in a big way.
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