5 Free Agents the Vikings Could Still Sign
The NFL calendar has advanced past the big free agency period in March and the NFL Draft in April. Minnesota’s roster looks strong on paper, but adding a couple of veterans via free agency could erase some remaining roster concerns.
5 Free Agents the Vikings Could Still Sign
The deadline for free agent signings to impact the compensatory formula arrives on Monday. Then, the Vikings can sign whoever they want, and the comp pick-relevant signings are locked in.
CB Mike Hilton
Mike Hilton has played in 123 games over eight years for the Steelers and Bengals, and he is pretty much built for a blitzing defense. Because the Vikings employ a man called Brian Flores, the team would be a perfect fit for him. Hilton is exclusively a slot defender, but one of the best in the business.
If the Vikings aren’t fully convinced Isaiah Rodgers or Mekhi Blackmon are ready for at least 800 snaps, Hilton is worth a call. He’s 31, but he was still excellent last season.
CB Asante Samuel Jr.
Asante Samuel Jr. keeps appearing in Vikings rumors. He’s a good cornerback, but injuries slowed him down last season, limiting him to only four games. His shoulder issues are concerning.
Still, when on the field, he is absolutely worthy of a starting job somewhere. He’s an outside cornerback and would demote Rodgers to CB3 duties.
S Quandre Diggs
Cam Bynum left in free agency, but Theo Jackson was re-signed. The Vikings passed on guys like Nick Emmanwori and Malaki Starks, seemingly trusting Jackson to be ready for the opportunity.
Or there’s a plan to add someone else. Quandre Diggs is a long-time NFL player and has been an above-average safety for nearly a decade. He can play the deep safety role the Vikings need, with Harrison Smith and Josh Metellus frequently playing in the box.
RB Cam Akers
Who knew you could sign Cam Akers in free agency? In the last two seasons, the Vikings traded for him twice, and they could just skip that step and hire him as their RB3 behind Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason.
Ty Chandler is in the final year of his rookie deal, and the coaching staff hasn’t shown much trust in him. Akers, meanwhile, is a reliable player at whatever he does, despite not being too flashy, with sure hands, decent blocking, and the ability to make the correct reads on running plays.
EDGE Dennis Gardeck
The Minnesota Vikings lost Patrick Jones in free agency and have, besides starters Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel and sophomore Dallas Turner, only undrafted players from 2024 and 2025 in the pass-rushing room.
Ex-Cardinals defender Gardeck could fill that void. He’s 30 and suffered a torn ACL last season, which is why he will probably be available for cheap, but the franchise has shown they aren’t too scared of injuries.
Gardeck registered nine sacks in 24 games over the last two campaigns and could be a perfect candidate for that fourth edge-rushing role.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
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