Vikings Rumors: New Starter at OT, Roster Openings, and Why Will Fries is Weird
As we enter the portion of the year when Vikings rumors still linger, we’ll be highlighting some of the purple rumblings.
The “Vikings Rumor Wrangle” is a series that keeps readers informed on what’s being whispered about in Vikings Land. In this iteration, we discuss the Vikings snagging someone who could develop into a starter at offensive tackle, the roster having some openings, and why Will Fries is a bit weird.
Vikings Rumors: 05.07.2025
Rumor #1 — The Vikings Signed Someone Who Could Be a Starter at OT
Maybe in time, but not in 2025.
Health permitting, Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill are locked and loaded for the 2025 season. Both are excellent players, tackles capable of going toe-to-toe with the other team’s top pass rushers while keeping the quarterback’s jersey clean. Minnesota is fortunate to have the pair.
Behind them is Justin Skule, the first player off the bench if there’s a need for an injury replacement. Anyone else stand out as an option? Consider the UDFA pickup who probably should have been drafted. Janik Eckardt writes about Logan Brown, responding to the analysis from The Athletic that paints an optimistic picture.
Nick Baumgardner writes, “Frankly, I was surprised to see Brown go undrafted. A 6-6, 311-pounder with near 34-inch arms and good explosion, Brown was a five-star recruit who transferred to Kansas in 2023 after Wisconsin dismissed him for reportedly striking another player during practice.”
And then the basic conclusion: “He flashes NFL starter-level traits.”
Keep in mind, as well, that there’s a lot of in-house confidence in sophomore Walter Rouse. Not too long ago, Ryan Grigson pointed toward Rouse’s potential, suggesting that a starting gig could be in the lineman’s future. No such thing as too much depth up front, folks.
Rumor #2 — The Vikings’ Roster Openings Need Filling
Kick it over to Spotrac. How many players are on the Vikings’ roster? Only 85.
On PurplePTSD, the count sits at 89. Something that’s notable, however, is that one of those players isn’t counting against the offseason limit: Oscar Chapman. The punter is an international player, meaning he gets the offseason exemption so that the Vikings can push their total number up to 91 players rather than the standard 90.
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah doesn’t need to rush to fill those open roster spots, but they nevertheless stand out. Could the team be in the process of flirting with some free agents? Or, perhaps, are there some trade negotiations taking place? One could certainly make a good case for bringing another corner to town, especially one with size and experience.
Keep in mind that the team is sitting on north of $16.6 million in cap space.
Rumor #3 — Will Fries is Weird in Minnesota
Maybe weird is the wrong word. But, to be sure, he stands out for a specific reason.
Start along the left side of the o-line and then start moving rightward. What connects Christian Darrisaw, Donovan Jackson, and Will Fries? All of them got snagged in the 1st. In fact, the most recent addition — Mr. Donovan — is the lowest pick of the three at No. 24, which is very high for a guard.
Shift over to the right side. Brian O’Neill arrived in the 2nd at No. 62 overall. A high selection, all things considered. That’s a trio of 1sts and a 2nd devoted toward the front five. Where did Will Fries get picked?
Back in the 2021 NFL Draft — the one where Darrisaw got snagged — Mr. Fries got drafted in the 7th. A whopping 247 players get picked up before Fries had his name called at No. 248. Only 259 players got drafted, so Fries was dangerously close to tumbling out of the draft entirely. Pretty wild given that he just landed a five-year commitment from the Vikings. The deal is promising to pay a total that’s a touch under $88 million.
In Fries, the Vikings believe they’re signing an ascending talent. The contract was enough to convince us of that reality, but then Kwesi Adofo-Mensah confirmed as much in his recent interview with KFAN’s Paul Allen. Adofo-Mensah describes the right guard’s popularity in free agency while then indicating that Fries’ best football is in front of him.
Will Fries is a good reminder that where a player begins isn’t where a player ends. The 7th-Round selection played himself into a major contract while standing out within a Vikings front five otherwise made up of 1st- and 2nd-Round selections.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
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K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on Twitter and Bluesky (@VikingsGazette). If you feel so inclined, subscribe to his Substack, The Vikings Gazette, for more great Vikings content.