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12 Free Agents We Expect the Vikings to Target
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- 12 Free Agents We Expect the Vikings to Target
Denny Medley
Each offseason, right before free agency, we asked Vikings Territory writers to pick one free agent apiece they expect Minnesota to sign — the guy they're staking their reputation on for a prediction's sake. As always, our contributors were all over the board.
These picks focus on realistic fits, contract costs, and where the Vikings still need help.
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Question to our staff: If you had to put money on one external free agent signing with the Vikings, what's that guy's name? This is your prediction, not your preference.
Our Predictions in Free Agency Largely Target Defensive Backs
Here's what they said — our official free-agent predictions for the 2026 Vikings.
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (7) looks on during pregame warmups Aug. 16, 2025 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, before a preseason game between the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens. Diggs prepared with teammates as Dallas evaluated defensive personnel and secondary depth ahead of the upcoming regular season. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images.
1. Trevon Diggs | CB, DAL
Predictor: Janik Eckardt
The Minnesota Vikings need at least two more cornerbacks, and they have a limited budget this offseason. Diggs has an impressive track record in the NFL, but injuries have limited him in recent years, which should significantly lower his asking price. The corner is a low-risk, high-reward type player and ideal for a franchise that has taken risks with injured athletes in the past.
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2. Coby Bryant | S, SEA
Predictor: Tony Schultz
With Harrison Smith either retiring this year or shortly after, the defense's backend needs to be shored up. Smith is a smart player and still almost always in position at his age, and you need a guy who can bring veteran presence along with youth.
Bryant not only brings those attributes but also the stats to back them up. At 26, he's young enough to team up with Theo Jackson for a nice duo roaming the zones and man coverage looking for picks and break-ups, and he brings Super Bowl credentials as well. Depending on the draft, he might be playing back there with Dillon Thieneman, and they could be a deadly pair for years to come.
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Safety isn't a highly coveted position, but Brian Flores's defense needs big, smart players there to make calls and tackles. While the cap is tight, they should be able to wiggle him in and get the most impact, rather than players who might not be attainable.
Breece Hall and Tyler Linderbaum would be nice, but an expensive running back might not add enough to the offense, and I think the team already has its center in Blake Brandel or Michael Jurgens .
3. Lloyd Cushenberry III | C, Free Agent
Predictor: Henrique Gucciardi
The Vikings need a new center to complete their offensive line. If they decide to stick with J.J. McCarthy as QB, an experienced center makes more sense than a rookie, and Cushenberry has a case to be the best available.
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4. Cade Mays | C | CAR
Predictor: Wes Johnson
The Vikings couldn't have predicted the awful season that last year's free-agent signing, Ryan Kelly , would have; a string of head injuries has likely ended his career. Minnesota, which enters the offseason in desperate need of depth, finds help on the O-line in Mays. With this draft deep at WR, DT, LB, S, and CB, shoring up other positions should be critical.
5. Kamren Curl | S, LAR
Predictor: Steve Hoikkala
Curl is decent-sized at 6'2, only 27 years old, and after 6 years in the league, the big question will be if the Vikings can pry him away from the Rams . If we are going by Pro Football Focus grades, he has put together some solid seasons that put him in the Top 20 at his position, and he allowed only 1 TD in 2025 while also being known for his run defense.
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The Vikings are likely to need to fill two safety spots, and Curl can play both FS and SS, with the ability to play in the box, which gives Brian Flores a versatile tool in the backfield.
6. Leo Chenal | ILB, KC
Predictor: Kyle Joudry
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal (54) runs onto the field before kickoff Dec. 25, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, ahead of a game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Chenal joined teammates for pregame introductions as the Chiefs prepared for a late-season AFC West matchup. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports.
Great size, young, isn't likely to break the bank, fills a need, and is coming out of a sophisticated, aggressive defense. Note that free agency is often used to address major needs ahead of the draft, ensuring a team doesn't have to reach. In Mr. Chenal, the Vikings do so at linebacker.
7. Reed Blankenship | S, PHI
Predictor: Ted Schwerzler
Reed Blankenship, you are a Minnesota Viking.
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He will be 27 this year and has played in a strong Philadelphia Eagles defense. Regardless of Harrison Smith 's situation, Flores needs help at safety. That's an immediate answer and plays both now and into the future.
8. Travis Etienne | RB, JAX
Predictor: Ali Siddiqui
The Vikings will likely move on from Aaron Jones , given his age and cap number. Jordan Mason is a good complementary back to have, but is not an RB1.
9. Tutu Atwell | WR, LAR
Predictor: Brevan Bane
Minnesota may be able to get this Jalen Nailor replacement a little bit cheaper than the namesake, but Atwell comes with more big-play and gadget-play potential.
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10. D.J. Reader | DT, DET
Predictor: Josh Frey
Reader has never been overly productive by the box score numbers, but he's an all-around solid veteran in the trenches. The Vikings will be looking to rebuild their defensive tackle position again, and Spotrac projects his contract to be worth just under $3.9 million. For a team that needs to be fiscally responsible this spring, the move makes sense.
11. Asante Samuel Jr. | CB, PIT
Predictor: Dustin Baker
Samuel Jr. met with the Vikings on his free-agent tour midseason last year, but he picked the Steelers . There, he was coached by Gerald Alexander — who took over this offseason for Daronte Jones in Minnesota. Given the double connection here, plus Mike Tomlin gone from Pittsburgh , Samuel Jr. will sign with the Vikings for two years and $11 million.
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With Byron Murphy Jr. , Isaiah Rodgers , and Samuel Jr. in the house, the Vikings aren't pigeonholed into drafting a Round 1 corner.
t12. Bryan Cook | S, KC
Predictor: Adam New
Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook (6) walks onto the field during warmups Sep. 5, 2025 at Corinthians Arena in São Paulo, Brazil, before a game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Cook prepared with Kansas City's secondary for an international contest as part of the NFL's expanding global regular-season schedule. Mandatory Credit: Amanda Perobelli/Reuters via Imagn Images.
The Vikings need help in the secondary, and free-agent fits don't come much better than Bryan Cook. He can fill the need for a deep safety, coming from a blitz-heavy defense in Kansas City , making him perfect for Flores' defense.
t12. Bryan Cook | S, KC
Predictor: Cole Smith
The former Chief was one of the league's best safeties last year, and the Vikings need to revamp their secondary.
