Here Is What the 2024 Vikings’ Roster Looks Like without Their Free Agents
Josh Frey
|
The Minnesota Vikings have 28 players set to enter free agency in March, meaning they have a lot of holes to fill on their roster.
However, it may be tough to see exactly where these holes are without the context of what the roster currently looks like without those free agents around. Today, we will be going through the Vikings’ roster and how it currently stands without those free agents on the depth chart.
Offense
Quarterback
- Nick Mullens
- Jaren Hall
Free Agents: Kirk Cousins, Josh Dobbs
Of course, 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.
Running Back
- Alexander Mattison
- Ty Chandler
- C.J. Ham
- Kene Nwangwu
- Myles Gaskin
- DeWayne McBride
Free Agents: Cam Akers
The Vikings have plenty of bodies in their running back room for next season, but can they actually be productive? Minnesota had one of the worst rushing offenses in the league last season. Ty Chandler gave the group a resurgence down the stretch of the 2023 season, but it still feels like this is an area that could use another contributor in 2024.
Wide Receiver
- Justin Jefferson
- Jordan Addison
- Jalen Nailor
- Trishton Jackson
- Malik Knowles
- Daylen Baldwin
- Thayer Thomas
Free Agents: K.J. Osborn, Brandon Powell
Obviously, the Vikings are set at the top of their depth chart with Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson. After that, though, things get a little murky. Both K.J. Osborn and Brandon Powell are entering free agency, who were very clearly the WR3/4 duo for the Vikings last season. Minnesota either needs to find a way to retain these two veterans or find another capable player in the draft.
Tight End
- T.J. Hockenson
- Josh Oliver
Free Agents: Johnny Mundt, Nick Muse
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. As a result, the Vikings will need to fill out this room by either re-signing their free agents or bringing in new names.
Offensive Line
- Christian Darrisaw
- Garrett Bradbury
- Ed Ingram
- Brian O’Neill
- Coy Cronk
- Tyrese Robinson
- Henry Byrd
Free Agents: Blake Brandel, David Quessenberry, Chris Reed, Dalton Risner, Austin Schlottman, Oli Udoh
Really for the first time since taking over as the general manager of the Vikings, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has a number of decisions to make on the offensive line. Do they 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? Decisions, decisions.
Defense
Outside Linebacker
- Patrick Jones
- Andre Carter
Free Agents: Marcus Davenport, Danielle Hunter, D.J. Wonnum
Danielle Hunter arguably is the most important free agent on the Vikings roster this offseason. The veteran kept the Vikings pass rush afloat during 2023 despite injury troubles with Marcus Davenport and D.J. Wonnum. If Minnesota can’t keep Hunter around, their defense could be in a world of trouble in 2024.
Defensive Line
- Harrison Phillips
- Dean Lowry
- Jaquelin Roy
Free Agents: Jonathan Bullard, James Lynch, T.J. Smith, Khyiris Tonga
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.
Off-Ball Linebacker
- Ivan Pace
- Brian Asamoah
- William Kwenkeu
- Abraham Beauplan
Free Agents: Anthony Barr, Troy Dye, Jordan Hicks, Nick Vigil
Ivan Pace was a revelation at linebacker last season. The undrafted rookie immediately stepped into a large role in the defense and started 11 games throughout the year. However, Minnesota’s main starter, Jordan Hicks, is set to hit free agency after his own stellar year.
Especially if Hicks were to leave in free agency, the linebacker position becomes a rather massive need for Minnesota. Brian Asamoah has not proven capable of taking extensive snaps with the defense yet, and they need another playmaker next to Pace.
Cornerback
- Byron Murphy
- Akayleb Evans
- Mekhi Blackmon
- Andrew Booth
- Joejuan Williams
- NaJee Thompson
- Jaylin Williams
- A.J. Green III
Free Agents:
It became clear when both Mekhi Blackmon and Byron Murphy went down with injuries in 2023 that the Vikings didn’t have the firepower at cornerback to keep up with opposing offenses. Additionally, the Vikings defense came away with just 11 interceptions last year, which tied for 19th in the NFL.
Minnesota would be smart to consider adding another playmaker at the cornerback spot who is capable of not only hanging with top wide receivers on opposing teams but also create momentum-swinging turnovers.
Safety
- Harrison Smith
- Camryn Bynum
- Josh Metellus
- Jay Ward
- Lewis Cine
Free Agents: Theo Jackson
Safety is the one of the few spots heading into the offseason where the Vikings feel pretty safe. However, depending on what happens with Harrison Smith and his contract, that could change. Camryn Bynum and Josh Metellus played very well during the 2023 season, but we haven’t seen nearly enough out of Lewis Cine to feel confident that he can be a consistent contributor with the defense.
Special Teams
Kicker
- None
Punter
- Ryan Wright
Long Snapper
- Andrew DePaola
Free Agents: Greg Joseph
Even the special teams currently has holes in it right now. 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?
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.