7 Vikings Appear on PFF’s List of Top 150 Free Agents
Josh Frey
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The Minnesota Vikings have a total of 28 players set to hit free agency in March.
A quarter of those players have been listed on PFF’s recent list of their top 150 free agents set to hit the open market this spring. Here is a look at each of them and where they land on the list.
No. 142: WR K.J. Osborn
K.J. Osborn has been as consistent a WR3 as the Vikings could have hoped for over the past few seasons. Since 2021, Osborn has totaled 158 receptions, 1845 yards, and 15 TDs in the Vikings offense, and now, he is at the end of his rookie contract.
When Osborn enters free agency, he will inevitably be a target for multiple teams, and given the money being thrown in the direction of wide receivers over the past few years, his price tag might be too much for Minnesota to be able to retain him.
No. 141: OLB D.J. Wonnum
D.J. Wonnum’s season came to an end in Week 16 against the Lions after suffering a partially torn quad and being placed on IR.
The pass-rusher entered the final year of his rookie contract this year and will hit free agency in the spring. After a slow start to the year, Wonnum had put together 4.0 sacks in the past five games leading into Week 16, and he could have done enough to earn himself a nice payday on the open market.
No. 127: OLB Marcus Davenport
The Vikings brought in Marcus Davenport to be their successor to Za’Darius Smith at the outside linebacker position. However, injuries quickly derailed those plans as Davenport played just four games over the course of the 2023 season.
When he was on the field, Davenport put together a pair of sacks and looked productive. The question of his health will be a major factor in whether or not the Vikings opt to re-sign him for the 2024 season.
No. 96: LB Jordan Hicks
After a bit of a disappointing 2022 season in Minnesota, Jordan Hicks bounced back in a huge way during 2023 under Brian Flores’ tutelage. Hicks signed a two-year/$10 million contract back in 2022, and he has been worth every penny of that for this season’s performance alone (though he did accept a pay cut coming into the current season).
Hicks piled up 107 tackles, four tackles for loss, a sack, five passes defended, an interception, and two fumble recoveries this season, including one for a touchdown. The linebacker was a steady presence for the Vikings defense while he was on the field, and Minnesota should try to bring him back this offseason.
No. 65: IOL Dalton Risner
Dalton Risner surprisingly went into the 2023 season without a team until the Vikings scooped him up prior to their Week 3 contest against the Los Angeles Chargers. After Ezra Cleveland suffered a foot injury and was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars at the deadline, Risner started the final 11 games for the Vikings at left guard.
The offensive lineman played well for Minnesota at that spot, but he is projected to get a large contract in free agency. The price point will be a deciding factor in if the Vikings are able to bring back.
No. 12: OLB Danielle Hunter
Danielle Hunter was one of the most ferocious pass-rushers in the NFL throughout the 2023 season. His 23 tackles for loss tied for first in the league, and his 16.5 sacks ranked fifth. He is in line for a big pay day when he enters free agency this spring.
The 29-year-old pass-rusher will inevitably get plenty of offers from teams across the league, and the Vikings will need to spend a hefty amount to keep him around when March arrives.
No. 2: QB Kirk Cousins
As has been discussed at length over the past 12 months or so, Kirk Cousins came into the 2023 season on the final year of his contract with the Vikings. It was the first time since joining the team that there was any uncertainty regarding his future.
Then, Cousins tore his Achilles in Week 8 against the Green Bay Packers right as Minnesota was beginning to hit their stride offensively and will enter free agency in March with that as the final memory of his season.
Despite the injury and the fact that he is entering his age-36 season, Cousins topped out as the No. 2 free agent on PFF’s board, ranking behind only DT Chris Jones of the Kansas City Chiefs. There will be teams interested in Cousins, so we’ll see what the Vikings decide to do with the veteran QB.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Focus and 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.