The Thinnest Positions on the 2024 Vikings Roster
Josh Frey
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NFL free agency is just a little over a month away.
The Vikings have a number of questions on their plate at a multitude of positions when that period officially arrives. As it continues to get closer, here is a look at the thinnest positions on the Vikings roster that should be of the highest priority.
Kicker
The Vikings currently don’t employ a kicker, making it the thinnest position on their roster. Greg Joseph is heading into free agency, and despite a strong conclusion to the 2023 season, would the Vikings consider looking elsewhere considering some of the struggles he’s had from 50-plus yards?
Since joining Minnesota in 2021, Joseph has made 15 of 26 field goal attempts from 50+ yards while the 2022 season also saw him struggle with extra points, missing a league-high six attempts during the season.
Quarterback
The quarterback position holds the biggest question mark for the Vikings this offseason. Kirk Cousins is slated to enter free agency as is Josh Dobbs, who buoyed Minnesota’s offense for a few weeks following Cousins’ Achilles injury.
Minnesota could opt to bring Cousins back, but the veteran’s price tag will play a big role in that. If he isn’t in a Vikings uniform next year, it is imperative that the team gets aggressive in the draft to land an immediate replacement.
For now, the only quarterbacks on the roster are Nick Mullens and 2023 fifth-round pick Jaren Hall. Neither have proven to be a long-term solution at the position.
Outside Linebacker
Danielle Hunter may be the most important free agent on the Vikings’ roster this offseason. He single-handedly carried Minnesota’s pass rush throughout large chunks of the 2023 season, especially as Marcus Davenport and D.J. Wonnum dealt with injuries.
Now, all three of these players are set to enter free agency, leaving Patrick Jones and Andre Carter as the only outside linebackers on the roster. After a strong 2022 season, Jones had a disappointing campaign in 2023 by recording just 32 tackles, five tackles for loss, and a single sack.
Defensive Tackle
The Vikings could be losing Jonathan Bullard and a few depth pieces on their defensive line this offseason as the veterans head to free agency.
If that happens, Minnesota absolutely needs to add more bodies to that room in the offseason. Even if they retain Bullard, the Vikings would be smart to add more of a pass-rushing presence to their defensive line seeing as the only three players currently on the roster at the position are Dean Lowry, Harrison Phillips, and Jaquelin Roy.
Tight End
The tight end spot is a sneaky need for Minnesota. They only have two players under contract for 2024, and T.J. Hockenson likely is going to miss at least a portion of next season because of his ACL injury, leaving Josh Oliver as the only healthy TE on the roster.
As a result, the Vikings will need to fill out this room by either re-signing their free agents or bringing in new names. Johnny Mundt, who Kevin O’Connell has called the best TE3 in the NFL, should be on the list of free agents to be retained this offseason.
Guard
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has important decisions to make on the offensive line this offseason. Do the Vikings try to retain Dalton Risner as a starter despite the left guard being projected to get a large contract in free agency? Do they target a player in the draft after not selecting a single o-lineman in 2023?
It should not be overlooked that one of Minnesota’s free agents at the position is Blake Brandel, who made the transition from tackle to guard during the 2023 offseason. He has showcased an ability to play just about anywhere on the offensive line very well, and he should be another player that Minnesota tries to bring back.
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.