Vikings Free Agency: 3 Available Targets to Circle
Maybe the reason why the players are still free agents is due to not coming as cheap as expected. Maybe the players under consideration lower the asking price the more free agency proceeds.
As it relates to Vikings free agency, not too much has occurred if the criteria is external adds (James Pierre). Digging down further involves seeing plenty of moves (tenders, comp picks, lost bidding wars, and so on). Look for more external moves on the second day of free agency. Guiding the available talent is the list from Daniel Popper of The Athletic.
Vikings Free Agency Targets
Player No. 1 — Defensive Lineman Denico Autry
Popper Analysis: “Autry is an explosive, disruptive situational interior pass rusher. He tied for 16th in pass-rush efficiency among interior defensive linemen with at least 200 pass-rush snaps. Autry played 57 percent of his snaps on third down for Houston, and he was not asked to defend the run very often. That should be his role in 2026, in Houston or elsewhere.”
Vikings Fit: He’s an assassin-for-hire at this stage of his career. Think back to what Jihad Ward did in the 2024 season for a general sense of what Autry could provide the Vikings; note that Autry is better than Ward. Putting him on the field for 3rd & long is what it’s all about at this point. Let the veteran pin his ears back to create chaos. The Vikings likely want to keep things at (or below) $5 million.
Player No. 2 — Linebacker Leo Chenal
Popper Analysis: “Chenal is a versatile chess piece who can wear a number of hats. He can play off the ball, on the edge and even on the interior in certain packages. He can rush the passer, defend the run and play in coverage. He has good closing speed in space as a tackler, and he is excellent moving sideline to sideline while defending stretch runs, flat routes and bootlegs. Fit and usage will be important to Chenal’s success.”
Vikings Fit: Good chance, folks, that Minnesota is working toward the football version of positionless basketball. Re-adding Eric Wilson addresses the urgent need for linebacker help. What hasn’t happened, though, is an add that looks to address the youth deficit. Mr. Chenal has great size and is coming out of a sophisticated defense, meaning he should be capable of hanging with the complex Brian Flores defense. Could be too pricey, but the Vikings could be adding a nice defender. Popper puts the price tag at $8 million per season, which is likely too high for Minnesota.
Player No. 3 — Running Back Rachaad White
Popper Analysis: “White is a tall, upright runner with quick feet. He is more finesse than physicality as a runner. He is patient, but that patience is a blessing and a curse. Sometimes he finds a crease. Sometimes he is not urgent enough and allows defenders into the play. He is a smooth athlete for his size.
Vikings Fit: Jordan Mason is a rugged, physical runner. Don’t be surprised if he ends up being the RB1. What would be surprising is if he isn’t supported by an established RB2. White has done reasonably impressive work catching the ball in the past (an area of weakness for Mason). Across his career, White has turned 230 targets into 205 catches for 1,450 yards and 11 touchdowns. He’s 27.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
