Vikings Roster: Ranking What’s Missing

Nov 12, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Mekhi Blackmon (5) intercepts a pass from New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston (not pictured) in front of wide receiver Chris Olave (12) during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Vikings enter the offseason with some uncertainty because of the team’s long list of in-house free agents. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is asked to fill the holes on the Vikings’ roster in free agency and the draft.

Vikings Roster: Ranking What’s Missing

Let’s rank the needs from least to most important.

7. WR3

Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor (83) warms up before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

The Vikings could be looking at a wide receiver upgrade for two reasons:

1) Jordan Addison could be in line for a suspension, and having weapons is vital to Kevin O’Connell’s offense.
2) Jalen Nailor was solid in 2024, but he has not been the most durable player in his time with the Vikings and having a player with a different skill set behind Justin Jefferson and Addison makes sense.

Players nearing the end of their careers could be options like Keenan Allen, DeAndre Hopkins, or even former Viking Stefon Diggs. Perhaps a cheaper alternative is Mike Williams, a former first-rounder who struggled in his first year back from a torn ACL. Still, he is a big body wideout who can win contested catches.

6. QB2

Dec 1, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Newly acquired Minnesota Vikings quarterback Daniel Jones walks off the field after the game against the Arizona Cardinals at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

It remains to be seen what the Vikings will do at the quarterback position, especially with Sam Darnold scheduled to enter free agency. If he walks and J.J. McCarthy is the new QB1, he needs a veteran QB2 behind him who could enter the lineup if necessary but also mentor the sophomore.

Those players are available. Of course, Daniel Jones is a candidate after spending almost two months with the Vikings. Experienced players like Jameis Winston, Andy Dalton, Joe Flacco, and Jacoby Brissett also come to mind.

5. Interior Offensive Line

Dec 25, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Kansas City Chiefs center Creed Humphrey (52) and guard Trey Smith (65) walk to the field to warm up against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

This one could definitely be higher, but it isn’t because the Vikings at least have players at that position. The starting lineup from Week 1 (Blake Brandel, Garrett Bradbury, and Ed Ingram) is still under contract for the 2025 campaign.

However, O’Connell has expressed his frustration with the lack of interior protection, and changes are likely.

Fans have requested the services of Chiefs guard Trey Smith. If he is too expensive, Will Fries, Teven Jenkins, and Kevin Zeitler could upgrade the line. Using the first-round pick to acquire a new guard is also in play.

4. Defensive Line

Dec 29, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (8) runs for a touchdown as Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Jalen Redmond (61) chases during the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Minnesota’s defensive line has been a problem for years. Jerry Tillery and Jonathan Bullard are scheduled to exit in free agency, leaving Harrison Phillips, Jalen Redmond, Taki Taimani, and Levi Drake Rodriguez on the roster from last season.

While the two veterans are candidates for another cheap one-year deal, the Vikings should finally spend some resources to generate some interior pass rush.

Osa Odighizuwa, Milton Williams, Levi Onwuzurike, and B.J. Hill are the top free agents, and there are some fantastic interior defensive linemen in this draft class.

3. Safety

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (8) pushes his way into the endzone for a touchdown against Miami Dolphins safety Jevon Holland (8) during their football game Thursday, November 28, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

At this point, the only two safeties under contract for the 2025 season are Joshua Metellus and 2023 draft choice Jay Ward.

Harrison Smith is contemplating retirement (he is also an impending free agent), wingman Cam Bynum is a free agent, and so is backup Theo Jackson.

All three are realistic return options, but the Vikings could also give former Brian Flores student Jevon Holland a look as the best safety on the market.

2. Running Back

Nov 30, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Omarion Hampton (28) with the ball as North Carolina State Wolfpack linebacker Kamal Bonner (34) defends in the first quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Similarly to safety, the Vikings only have Ty Chandler and practice squad player Zavier Scott on the roster. Aaron Jones and Cam Akers played on one-year deals. Both could return for another campaign.

The free agency pool doesn’t match last year’s wide range of rushers. Najee Harris is, other than Jones, the only sure-fire RB1. J.K. Dobbins, if healthy, could fill that role, too.

A reset at the position could happen in the draft. It’s a good year to be in need of a running back. The RB class is viewed as one of the best in recent years.

1. Cornerback

Oct 6, 2024; London, United Kingdom; New York Jets cornerback D.J. Reed (4) defends against Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) in the first half at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The cornerback position has caused some headaches since Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes said goodbye in 2020. In 2024, the Vikings were somewhat close to having a good cornerback group for the first time since.

However, the top four guys (Byron Murphy, Stephon Gilmore, Shaq Griffin, Fabian Moreau) are all set to become free agents, and Adofo-Mensah needs to re-sign or replace them. Mekhi Blackmon and Dwight McGlothern remain.

D.J. Reed, Charvarius Ward, Carlton Davis, and Asante Samuel Jr. could relieve Vikings fans of their headaches.

Editor’s Note: Information from Over The Cap helped with this article.


Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt