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5 Cheap Free Agents the Vikings Could Target in 2026
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- 5 Cheap Free Agents the Vikings Could Target in 2026
Jay Biggerstaff
The Minnesota Vikings are one of "those" teams this offseason, way the hell over the salary cap and needing to cut players and restructure contracts to do anything at all with the roster. Accordingly, they must act frugally in free agency. Well, we just so happen to have a list of bargain-bin free agents if Minnesota is in the mood.
The Vikings need starters and depth without splurging; these five names offer value, fit, and realistic price tags.
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Each free-agent class has budget-sized options, and these are the Vikings' routes in 2026. Players are ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = best bargain-bin free agent).
Value Adds at Positions Minnesota Can't Ignore
The Dollar General of Vikings free agency.
Dec 1, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (84) walks out of the players' tunnel before a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium. Bourne prepared for offensive duties as the Patriots sought consistency in the passing attack, with the veteran receiver serving as a reliable option within New England's rotation. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
5. Kendrick Bourne | WR
Bourne logged 37 receptions for 551 yards with the 2025 New England Patriots , which isn't too high and mighty, but it would do the trick in Minnesota's offense if the club moves on from Jalen Nailor , who may command over $10 million per season on the open market.
Bourne will turn 31 in August, so he's not a long-term solution, yet the Vikings also have Tai Felton , a 3rd-Rounder from last year, in the mix — hopefully — to swipe the WR3 job.
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Bourne makes sense as a dependable WR3.
Estimated Contract Cost per Year: $3 Million
4. Isiah Pacheco | RB
Once upon a time, Pacheco was the next big thing at running back, especially for a Kansas City Chiefs team absolutely starved for a bellcow RB1 to complement Patrick Mahomes and Co.
But Pacheco broke his leg in Week 2 of the 2024 campaign, and that severely dampened his outlook and production for the dynastic Chiefs. Now, Kansas City may be on the brink of drafting Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love or another notable rookie tailback, rendering Pacheco gettable on the open market.
He'll be 27 in 2026 and averages 4.4 yards per rushing attempt. Pacheco has some juice when he runs. He'd pair nicely with Jordan Mason .
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Estimated Contract Cost per Year: $4 Million
3. Andre Cisco | S
Cisco is 25 and has played 71 games in his career while starting 55. In NFL speak, he's largely anonymous — because he plays for the New York Jets .
But Cisco can ball. He's a wonderful run-stopping safety with decent coverage skills. His Pro Football Focus resume:
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2025: 61.3
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2024: 61.2
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2023: 68.9
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2022: 67.7
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2021: 67.9
The former 3rd-Rounder is pretty damn steady.
Estimated Contract Cost per Year: $4 Million
2. Trevon Diggs | CB
Diggs has been dropped by the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers in the last couple of months. His stock is at its lowest. Now is the time to pounce.
Dec 25, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (7) looks on during pregame warmups before a matchup with the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium. Diggs prepared for defensive responsibilities in a late-season divisional contest, working through drills as Dallas' secondary readied for Washington's passing attack on Christmas Day. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
He entered the league in the Justin Jefferson draft; this is his passer-rating-against production since 2020:
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2020: 85.8
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2021: 55.8
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2022: 86.1
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2023: Predominantly Injured
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2024: 85.3
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2025: 154.2 (22 targets)
And the PFF resume:
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2020: 62.7
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2021: 58.5
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2022: 67.6
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2023: Predominantly Injured
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2024: 56.6
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2025: 58.7 (22 targets)
Pass coverage is Diggs's jam. Here's the PFF story.
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2020: 63.9
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2021: 65.0
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2022: 67.0
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2023: Predominantly Injured
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2024: 60.3
The Vikings head into 2026 with a solid cornerback foundation in Byron Murphy Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers , both of whom remained healthy last season, providing much-needed stability. Brian Flores maximized the potential of a relatively thin group, leading the defense to rank third in the NFL in EPA per play .
Depth remains a concern, though. After Jeff Okudah 's quick and repeated stints on injured reserve, Fabian Moreau saw significant playing time as the third cornerback, highlighting the importance of Murphy Jr. and Rodgers' consistent availability in holding the unit together.
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Cornerback also remains a long-term question mark. The Vikings haven't drafted a consistent, multi-year starter at the position since Trae Waynes in 2015, despite investing considerable resources across multiple drafts and under two different general managers.
With Flores returning in 2026 after signing an extension, the secondary's floor is undoubtedly raised. Murphy Jr. and Rodgers provide him with a reasonable base to build upon, and his track record demonstrates an ability to maximize the existing talent at the position.
Diggs would work in Minnesota as the third corner.
Estimated Contract Cost per Year: $7 Million
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1. Asante Samuel Jr. | CB
Minnesota's interest in Samuel Jr. isn't new; he visited Eagan during last year's free agency, meeting with Kevin O'Connell, the aforementioned Flores, and other Vikings leadership before ultimately signing with Pittsburgh in November 2025. This visit established a foundation for a potential agreement, at least in theory.
Nov 30, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (22) walks across the field before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium. Samuel Jr. prepared for defensive duties in a late-season AFC matchup, taking part in pregame routines as Pittsburgh's secondary readied for Buffalo's passing offense. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
While Samuel Jr. chose the Steelers then, circumstances have changed. Flores remains in Minnesota, and their established relationship could make it a logical move to pursue Samuel Jr. again this offseason.
Samuel Jr. should be obtainable on a short-term contract, likely around $10–12 million over two years. This represents a reasonable risk for a cornerback still working to solidify his career after a neck injury hampered his 2024 season and recovery into 2025.
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Rumors of Samuel Jr. joining Minnesota have persisted for over a year — partly fueled by a strange sighting of him in a Vikings hat at a Florida nightclub — and this offseason might finally see the move materialize.
He can get his career back on track in Minnesota.
Estimated Contract Cost per Year: $6 Million
