Purple Insider's official Vikings free agent watch list
A look at the best fits and mid-tier names the Vikings could chase after
By Matthew Coller
Now that the window to franchise tag players has come and gone, we know officially who will be available in free agency. Here’s a look at the 60 targets that make the most sense for the Minnesota Vikings to chase, some additional options and potential best-deal players…
Top 10 best fits
S, Jevon Holland
Drafted by Brian Flores with the Dolphins in 2021, Holland burst onto the scene as an instant star. With Flores he lined up all over the field, blitzed, made plays on the football and ranked as a top-notch run defender, ranking as the third best safety in the NFL by PFF as a rookie. There was an adjustment period after Flores exited Miami but Holland again ranked in the top three in 2023. Last year was a down season (36th of 64 by PFF) on a struggling Dolphins team but Holland is only 25 years old and his upside is elite. If Harrison Smith retires or Cam Bynum does not return, Holland could be a game changer at a very important position in B-Flo’s defense.
S, Tre’von Moehrig
A dynamic safety who played the sixth most snaps in the box of all safeties last season and had the fourth most QB pressures on blitzes, Moehrig looks like a Flores prototype. He also has a very strong health record, playing over 1,000 snaps in three of his four seasons (906 in the other). The former TCU standout turns 26 this year.
G, Will Fries
An ascending guard at 27 years old, Fries was off to a tremendous start to 2024 when he suffered a leg injury. In 2023, he finished 29th of 58 starting guards. The concern with Fries is that there will be a ton of competition for his services in a market that is short on guards and huge on teams that need guards. If the Vikings can land him, he’s the type of long-term option they have been missing at the position for… ever.
G, Will Hernandez
It took a few years but Hernandez eventually developed into an above average guard with the Arizona Cardinals, grading in the top 15 in pass blocking in 2022 and 2023. His 2024 season was also cut short by injury but he still hasn’t turned 30 years old yet. From a PFF grade perspective, Hernandez is only an average run blocker. At 332 pounds, though, he would be expected to give them more of a chance to get push up front in short-yardage situations.
DT, BJ Hill
The big name at DT is Milton Williams from the Eagles, who made himself a boat load of money with his Super Bowl performance. But Williams was more of a part-time player in Philly with the singular job of rushing the passer. Hill is likely to be a more affordable option and he is a three-down player. In 2024, Hill ranked 18th in total snaps, 22nd in PFF grade, 14th in run grade and 33rd in total QB pressures. That is a lot of value, even if he’s not flashy.
DT, Levi Onwuzurike
An ascending player, Onwuzurike tied Jeffrey Simmons for 15th in QB pressures last year. Those numbers didn’t turn into big sack stats but there could be more growth on the way for the 27-year-old ex-Lion. The only concern is that he only has one season of playing over 600 snaps.
CB, DJ Reed
Reed has a nastiness about him that the Vikings were missing in the secondary. He allowed just 35 catches on 60 targets into his coverage last year and graded as the 25th best corner by PFF. In 2023, he was 16th. At 28 years old, Reed is still in his prime and could make for a significant upgrade in their ability to play man coverage.
CB, Byron Murphy Jr.
Yesterday’s price isn’t today’s price. Last offseason the Vikings wanted to extend Murphy Jr. but he made a great bet on himself and now appears to have interest all over the league. That could keep the Vikings from being able to sign him. If he is interested in returning, there is real value in continuity with a DC like Flores. Murphy Jr. understands the system inside and out and has been consistent over the last two years.
CB, Paulson Adebo
In 2023, Adebo was a breakout player, grading in the top 15 by PFF. He got injured last year, limiting him to only 436 snaps. Where he stands out most is making plays on the ball. In the last two years he has picked up 18 pass breakups and seven interceptions. He does have a tendency to get beat deep occasionally and get penalized but for a Vikings team that wants to rank at the top of the league in turnovers again, he might be the guy.
RB, Aaron Jones
There are two younger RBs who went over 1,000 yards that will be on the market in NaJee Harris and Rico Dowdle but they might end up having an abundance of interest in an extremely thin RB free agent market. Jones has expressed that he wants to remain with the Vikings and may be willing to take a reasonable deal. If he’s paired with a rookie RB rather than asked to carry a heavy, heavy load like he was in 2024, he proved to still be an effective runner and excellent receiving back.
Other big-name players of interest
DT, Milton Williams — Great player. Price tag will probably be nuts.
S, Cam Bynum — The Vikings would like him back. Will someone else overpay?
CB, Carlton Davis — Big, man-to-man corner the Vikings have been missing.
DT, Javon Hargrave — Two years ago he reeked havoc, last year he was injured. 32 years old.
G, Kevin Zeitler — One of the best guards of the decade. Age is a concern.
CB, Charvarius Ward — Matches the Vikings need, had a down 2024.
G, Teven Jenkins — Often banged up. A force when healthy.
S, Talanoa Hufanga — Missed significant time. Difference maker when on the field.
RB, Rico Dowdle — Only one season of milage on the tires. Averaged the same YPC as Aaron Jones
CB, Asante Samuel Jr. — Missed much of 2024. Breakout 2023 put him on the map. Only 25 years old.
G, Brandon Scherff — In his mid-30s, yet still a top-10 graded pass blocker
RB, NaJee Harris — Consistent and healthy as they come. Probably gets overpaid.
S, Jeremy Chinn — Dynamic safety who fits the B-Flo mold.
G, Mekhi Becton — Made a strong transition to guard. Likely to get overpaid, might not want to sign with Vikings.
S, Justin Reid — Difference-making all-around safety. Could play a Harrison Smith role if he retires.
Second-wave types
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