Dec 29, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers (27) catches a pass against Green Bay Packers in the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Vikings have done an excellent job rebuilding the roster to be competitive in the upcoming season, adding numerous immediate contributors in free agency and the draft. In exchange, multiple players had to say goodbye.
4 Free Agents the Vikings Could Still Re-Sign
A few of those are still available, and four of them make sense to return for another season.
Stephon Gilmore & Shaq Griffin
Oct 6, 2024; London, United Kingdom; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Stephon Gilmore (2) intercepts a pass intended for New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams (18) in the fourth quarter at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Let’s group the two free-agent cornerbacks together. Minnesota’s cornerback group still has Byron Murphy Jr. from last year, but lacks sure-fire starters beyond the Pro Bowler.
Isaiah Rodgers has been excellent in rotational roles throughout his career, but he is expected to be an all-down player now. Mekhi Blackmon is returning from a torn ACL and played only 43% of the snaps in his rookie season in 2023. It remains to be seen whether those two can thrive in an elevated role.
Two guys who have shown they can are Shaq Griffin and Stephon Gilmore. Although neither is still in his prime, they were still solid in their only season in purple and could give the Vikes another body to compete for snaps and could step in if either Rodgers or Blackmon wasn’t ready.
Griffin played half of Minnesota’s defensive snaps last year, and at the age of 29, he should still have a year or two left in the tank. Gilmore was a full-time starter, playing 87% of defensive snaps. He will turn 35 in September and has shown some signs of decline. Still, both could be valuable in the cornerback room that requires some projection.
Cam Akers
Nov 10, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Ronald Darby (25) tackles Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers (27) during the fourth quarter at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
At running back, the Vikings acquired Jordan Mason to be Aaron Jones’ sidekick. He played a phenomenal season in 2024, stepping in for Christian McCaffrey a few times, and should be an upgrade over free agent Cam Akers.
However, to ensure having the best possible running back room, re-signing Akers makes sense. Head coach Kevin O’Connell is obviously a big fan, knowing him from his Los Angeles days. The Vikings traded for him in consecutive years, and he usurped current RB3 Ty Chandler each time.
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah could just skip the trade phase this season. Akers was responsible for 349 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns in his 12 games for the Vikings. He’s not the ideal first runner of the bench, but he is dependable and the perfect RB3.
Dan Feeney
Oct 4, 2024; Watford, United Kingdom; Minnesota Vikings guard Dan Feeney (69) during practice at The Grove. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The interior offensive line has been totally revamped this offseason, with the additions of former Colts Will Fries and Ryan Kelly in free agency, and by picking Donovan Jackson as the 24th rookie off the board.
However, the depth doesn’t look nearly as good. Blake Brandel, once he’s losing his job to Jackson, is an experienced guy. Other than that, it’s a bunch of undrafted rookies, Michael Jurgens, a 2024 seventh-rounder who didn’t look too good last preseason, and Henry Byrd, who has moved between the practice squad and the 53-man roster in his tenure with the Vikings.
Dan Feeney was last year’s backup center, and he has experience (120 games, 65 starts) in the NFL at both guard and center. Giving the young and unproven players a competitor who actually has played in the NFL would be a solid move.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference CFB helped with this article.
