4 Vikings Who Won the Early Stages of Free Agency
Josh Frey
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The Minnesota Vikings were very active during the first week of free agency.
They’ve brought in a number of new faces and re-signed some of their own players from the 2023 season. As the dust settles, here are four Vikings who should be viewed as winners from the early stages of free agency.
DT Harrison Phillips
The Vikings came into the offseason with a need to revamp their defensive trenches. They lost Marcus Davenport, Danielle Hunter, and D.J. Wonnum off the edge while releasing Dean Lowry. Of course, Minnesota did re-sign Jonathan Bullard, but one of the very few other pieces who remains in place on the defensive trenches is Harrison Phillips.
The Vikings could still save $6.5 million by cutting Phillips before June 1st, but it appears that Minnesota is using the veteran as a building block for their defense this season. If this is the case, the belief in Phillips is well-earned after a 2023 season in which he recorded 92 tackles, two tackles for loss, three sacks, and two passes defended.
WR Brandon Powell
Brandon Powell re-signed with the Vikings on a new one-year deal worth $2 million after putting up career highs in both receptions (29) and yards (324) as Minnesota’s WR4 in 2023. Meanwhile, the only addition the Vikings have made at the wide receiver position is Trent Sherfield who has totaled 20+ receptions just once over his six seasons in the NFL.
As a result, Powell may be set to see his role increase in 2024 after K.J. Osborn left the Vikings for the New England Patriots. It also appears that Powell will retain his punt returning job after returning a league-high 37 punts last year.
RG Ed Ingram/IOL Blake Brandel
The Vikings have not re-signed Dalton Risner to this point in the offseason, meaning the left guard spot is up for grabs. That could spell out a larger role for Blake Brandel, who re-signed on a three-year deal worth $9.5 million. Brandel has been a very reliable depth piece for the Vikings over the past two years, making starts at left tackle, right tackle, and right guard. Now, he may be rewarded with a starting job this season.
Meanwhile, the lack of competitive signings on the interior of the offensive line is a positive for Ed Ingram as well. The right guard has had some struggles through his first two NFL seasons, but the former second-round pick appears locked into the starting role once again.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Reference.
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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.