Story by
5 Lingering Free Agents for the Vikings to Consider
- Story by
- 5 Lingering Free Agents for the Vikings to Consider
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
The Minnesota Vikings were not overly busy in free agency — aside from signing quarterback Kyler Murray — compared to recent offseasons, but they still have a bit of cash flow to use on available players in a pinch. Consider these five free agents to explore in the pinch.
Minnesota can still find help on defense and the offensive line before draft week.
Advertisement
The NFL Draft is less than five weeks away, but here's a look at free agents for Minnesota if they want to shore up the roster depth.
Five Available FAs Who Still Make Sense for Minnesota
The roster is in decent shape; these men are about upgrades, and they're ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = best available free agent for Minnesota).
Miami Dolphins safeties Dante Trader Jr. (11) and Ifeatu Melifonwu (9) run onto the field before kickoff of the NFL Madrid Game against the Washington Commanders, Nov. 16, 2025, at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain. The defensive backs entered through pregame smoke as the Dolphins prepared for an international showcase matchup. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
5. Ifeatu Melifonwu (S)
Pretend for a moment that the Vikings welcome Harrison Smith back for Year No. 15, prefer a defensive tackle, for example, in Round 1 of the draft, and are not overly enthused about Theo Jackson having a middling 2025 campaign. In those realistic scenarios, the club might need safety depth.
Advertisement
Melifonwu has the juice for it. The 26-year-old banked a 62.9 Pro Football Focus grade in 2025, playing 549 defensive snaps in Miami . Not long ago in 2023 with the Detroit Lions , he punched his card for an 82.1 PFF mark. He's proven that he can thrive in the right system.
The former 3rd-Rounder from the 2021 NFL Draft would look good in purple if the Round 1 or 2 draft pick is not a safety.
4. Tyreek Hill (WR)
Hill's 2025 season was cut short after only four games because of a nasty left knee injury — multiple torn ligaments and a torn ACL. Before the injury, Hill was still getting it done, averaging 66.3 yards per game. That's over 1,100 yards when scaled to a full season. His top speed isn't quite what it used to be, but there's still burst and playmaking ability on tape.
Advertisement
The man obviously has an electric track record: 11,363 yards, 83 touchdowns, and everyone knows he's one of the scariest deep threats ever. He can still change a game in a heartbeat.
His contract could work out nicely, too. He might get a "prove-it" deal, which would be tempting for teams trying to win it all. Picture Hill playing alongside Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison in Minnesota. Scary.
And — Hill's been a Vikings fan forever, always talking about how he grew up rooting for them. Plus, Frank Smith, who used to coach Hill in Miami, is now on Minnesota's coaching staff as the assistant head coach. It won't be hard for Smith to lure Hill.
3. L'Jarius Sneed (CB)
Advertisement
This is Sneed's PFF work through six seasons:
-
2020: 68.4
-
2021: 63.6
-
2022: 77.7
-
2023: 72.5
-
2024: 36.3
-
2025: 50.4
Then, the passer rating allowed:
-
2025: 120.0
-
2020: 54.2
-
2021: 91.9
-
2022: 85.0
-
2023: 56.2
-
2024: 91.8
The last two seasons obviously aren't ideal, but there's a chance that he could cook and regain 2023 form with Brian Flores's magic touch. The Titans recently dropped Sneed. He's there for the taking and won't cost much.
2. Ethan Pocic (C)
At 30, Pocic is expected to snag an $8–12 million yearly salary, putting him in the middle of the pack for veteran centers. That price might even be smaller through two weeks of free agency with no nibbles.
Cleveland Browns center Ethan Pocic (55) walks off the field following a loss to the San Francisco 49ers, Nov. 30, 2025, at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio. The veteran lineman exited with teammates after a tough result, reflecting on the outcome as the Browns wrapped up the late-season contest. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images.
In 2025, PFF gave him a 62.2 for pass-blocking and a 63.2 for run-blocking, landing him an overall grade of 63.8. He's reliable, but not a superstar. Drafted in the 2nd Round in 2017, he played under his rookie deal with Seattle before heading to Cleveland in 2022, where he became a starter.
Advertisement
The only knock on Pocic is durability. He generally misses at least 3-4 games annually due to injury. Minnesota's in a good spot to handle this, though, with Blake Brandel and Michael Jurgens ready to step in if he gets hurt.
1. Christian Wilkins (DT)
Wilkins is a consistently dependable run stopper, making him a good fit for Minnesota, especially with their run defense looking vulnerable early in 2025.
Market conditions are also favorable, as he hopes to repair his reputation following bizarre locker-room allegations. An unsigned Wikins through 20 days of March suggests affordability, and a short, inexpensive contract — perhaps even near the veteran minimum — seems realistic for a 29-year-old seeking a new team. The rumor mill suggested that up to 26 teams have inquired about Wilkin's availability.
Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94) runs onto the field during pregame warmups ahead of a matchup with the Dallas Cowboys, Dec. 24, 2023, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The standout defender energized the sideline as Miami prepared for a high-profile late-season showdown at home. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports.
Wilkins has consistently demonstrated top-tier production, so much so that the Las Vegas Raiders handed him a $110 million contract over four years in the offseason of 2024. Furthermore, Wilkins and Vikings defensive coordinator Flores have a prior connection : Flores drafted and developed Wilkins in Miami in 2019 , a significant relationship.
Advertisement
Finally, Wilkins and current Vikings OLB Andrew Van Ginkel were also teammates in Miami. With Flores already intimately familiar with Wilkins's capabilities, Minnesota has a real connection to Wilkins. There are existing ties.
