![\"Kwesi](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2023_0513_NGF_RookieMiniCampDay2_0188-e1737329244511.jpg\")
Credit: Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCredit: Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
Coming off one of their most successful regular seasons<\/a> in franchise history, now the Minnesota Vikings have some work to do. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will be busy, not only because almost half of the roster (24 players<\/a>) is set to become a free agent.<\/p>\n Yet, he also needs to upgrade the roster in hopes of helping coach Kevin O\u2019Connell win his first playoff game next season. The good news is that the Vikings are set to have some of the most cap space in the NFL, with roughly over $60 million<\/a> to spend.<\/p>\n 2025 NFL free agency fits \u2013 Minnesota Vikings<\/p>\n That means if Sam Darnold doesn\u2019t return, the Vikings can potentially add several high-profile free agents this offseason. So, which Vikings free agency targets should be on the radar this offseason? Here\u2019s a quick list of five Vikings free agent targets the front office could consider.<\/p>\n D.J. Reed, cornerback<\/p>\n Known as the New York Jets cornerback who plays opposite Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed has received positive grades all seven seasons of his career. Though, like many other Jets players, Reed took a step back this past season, grading as the 47th-best cornerback<\/a> in the NFL per Pro Football Focus.<\/p>\n Related: Odds for 2025 Minnesota Vikings Starting QB Bring More Questions Than Answers<\/a><\/p>\n This is well below where he ranked last season, coming in as the 23rd-best CB in football. That\u2019s more in line with where Reed has graded throughout his career. He may not be a shutdown, No. 1 corner, but he can be a high-end No. 2 option for years to come. <\/p>\n Top 32 CBs ranked using PFFs new advanced coverage grade<\/p>\n Cov Grade = Advanced Coverage Grade \u2014 Stat Acccount (@AcccountStat) December 27, 2024<\/a> <\/p>\n Considering the Vikings\u2019 only cornerbacks under contract for next season are Mekhi Blackmon, NaJee Thompson, and Dwight McGlothern (the trio combined to play 19 snaps in 2024), Minnesota needs as much help as it can get. Sure, there are potential in-house solutions, such as re-signing Byron Murphy and\/or Stephon Gilmore. <\/p>\n Yet, even if this position is addressed during the 2025 NFL Draft, the Vikings will need more experience too. That\u2019s where a veteran like Reed or the two players below could help next season. <\/p>\n Other Vikings free agency cornerback targets: Charvarius Ward, Carlton Davis<\/p>\n Darius Slayton, wide receiver<\/p>\n While receiver is far from the Vikings\u2019 biggest needs this offseason, a case could be made that they need more consistent production out of their No. 3 wideout. Jalen Nailor has flashed potential, and his speed makes him a threat, but he had the NFL\u2019s 12th-highest drop rate<\/a> among receivers who saw 40 or more targets. <\/p>\n Meanwhile, adding a veteran could provide KOC\u2019s offense a significant boost. There are always several capable receivers available, both in free agency and through the draft. Yet, adding a low-cost, proven option could be the most attractive solution to a team that wants to win now, like the Vikings.<\/p>\n Related: Minnesota Vikings Love Boat Captain Hired by Barstool Sports<\/a><\/p>\n If the Vikings want to add a free agent receiver, then someone like Darius Slayton could make a lot of sense, especially if the team retains Daniel Jones as their backup quarterback. Slayton never had consistent QB play on the New York Giants, which undoubtedly hurt his production.<\/p>\n Darius Slayton v. Seahawks<\/p>\n 8 catches 122 yards 1 TD \u2014 Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) October 7, 2024<\/a> <\/p>\n Despite their flaws, Slayton was still productive for what he is, a secondary option that will never be a team\u2019s No. 1 receiver, yet the Giants were using him like one for the bulk of his career. Slayton actually had a higher drop rate than Nailor at 15.2% (third-highest among WRs with 40 or more snaps), but he\u2019s also gotten consistent results, topping 700 yards in four of his six seasons. <\/p>\n Related: Justin Jefferson Doesn\u2019t Care Who Plays QB for the Minnesota Vikings Next Season<\/a><\/p>\n Still just 28, it\u2019s possible the 6-foot-1 receiver still has some untapped potential as a player who clocked a 4.39 40-yard dash coming out of college. He also had a 40.5-inch vertical jump. Both marks are better than Nailor\u2019s pre-draft measurables. Yet, if Slayton lands a better opportunity as a No. 2 receiver elsewhere, why not consider a reunion with K.J. Osborn? <\/p>\n Other Vikings free agency wide receiver targets: Brandin Cooks, K.J. Osborn, Rondale Moore, TuTu Atwell<\/p>\n Jevon Holland, safety<\/p>\n One of the team\u2019s deepest positions for multiple years now, the Vikings could suddenly have a need. Harrison Smith will be entering the final year of his contract, and he\u2019s turning 36 in February. Meanwhile, Camryn Bynum is a free agent, only leaving Joshua Metellus as a potential starter. <\/p>\n If Brian Flores returns, he frequently used three safeties on the field, so even if Smith returns, the Vikings may need to add another safety. If so, someone like Jevon Holland could be a strong fit. <\/p>\n The Miami Dolphins\u2019 starting safety was selected 36th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, which was Brian Flores\u2019 final season in South Beach. So, we already know he\u2019s a plug-and-play solution in Minnesota\u2019s current defensive scheme.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcc8 PFF have ranked Jevon Holland as the third best player set to hit free agency<\/p>\n “Holland ranked among the five highest-graded safeties in two of his first three seasons in the league\u2026 his previous body of work more than speaks for itself.” (@PFF<\/a>) #GoFins<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/cyNRawdXt0<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) December 23, 2024<\/a> <\/p>\n He\u2019ll also be just 25 years old, which means he could be a perfect long-term replacement for Smith. Holland is coming off a down season, arguably the worst of his career, so the Vikings could get a bit of a discount for a player who graded as the third-best safety per PFF in 2023. This included him having the ninth-best grade on run defense and the third-best coverage grade among safeties. <\/p>\n Other Vikings free agency safety targets: Talanoa Hufanga, Justin Simmons<\/p>\n Related: Minnesota Vikings Bringing Back Young Interior Defensive Lineman<\/a><\/p>\n Milton Williams, defensive tackle<\/p>\n It\u2019s time to address arguably the Vikings\u2019 biggest weakness: the defensive interior. There aren\u2019t many top-notch interior defenders available in free agency, but like the Vikings found last year, there could be a few hidden gems. One of them is Philadelphia\u2019s Milton Williams.<\/p>\n Milton is far from a household name, but Williams is excellent at what he does, which is generate pressure. He finished with PFF\u2019s second-highest pass-rush grade among defensive linemen last season after generating a ridiculous 40 pressures.<\/p>\n Related: Adam Schefter Weighs in on What a Kevin O\u2019Connell Extension Might Cost the Vikings<\/a><\/p>\n That\u2019s more than all three of the Vikings\u2019 defensive line starts combined (39 pressures among Harrison Phillips (16), Jerry Tillery (17), and Jonathan Bullard (6). Admittedly, Williams didn\u2019t grade as well as a run defender, ranking 167th among interior defenders, but that\u2019s where other run stoppers can be subbed in on short-yardage situations.<\/p>\n How often DTs are doubled and how productive they are as pass rushers<\/p>\n x = Double Team % \u2014 Stat Acccount (@AcccountStat) January 17, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n If Williams can\u2019t be signed, then picking up a two-time Pro Bowler like Javon Hargrave could be a better option, but he\u2019s also set to turn 32, compared to Williams being just 26 next season.<\/p>\n Other Vikings free agency defensive line targets: Javon Hargrave, Jarran Reed<\/p>\n Top Minnesota Vikings free agent target \u2013 Trey Smith, right guard<\/p>\n Lastly, anyone who had to witness the Vikings lose to the Rams in the NFL Playoffs, saw that the offensive line didn\u2019t hold up when the game mattered most. While the loss of Christian Darrisaw and for a bit, Brian O\u2019Neill didn\u2019t help, the Vikings\u2019 offensive interior has long been a big weakness. <\/p>\n Dalton Risner is a free agent. Odds are, Ed Ingram won\u2019t suddenly come back after the summer and turn into the second-coming of Steve Hutchinson, which means it\u2019s finally time to address the offensive interior. If the Vikings don\u2019t want to risk spending another high draft pick on another offensive lineman who doesn\u2019t develop the way they like, why not sign a proven solution?<\/p>\n Related: Vikings Uninterested in Sam Darnold Long Term but Franchise Tag Remains on Table<\/a><\/p>\n The best offensive lineman available this offseason is the Kansas City Chiefs\u2019 right guard Trey Smith. If the plan is to keep Blake Brandel at left guard, then Smith would immediately help fix this offensive line\u2019s biggest weakness. Smith has not only started every game while helping the Chiefs win two Super Bowls, he\u2019s coming off his first Pro Bowl season.<\/p>\n Trey Smith blocking through the whistle \ud83d\ude24<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcfa: #NOvsKC<\/a> on ESPN \u2014 NFL (@NFL) October 8, 2024<\/a> <\/p>\n His accolade was well-deserved, considering Smith ranked 14th among all guards, which included respectably being the 33rd-best pass blocker and the 10th-best run blocker. That also included allowing zero sacks. Despite being a former sixth-round pick, the 25-year-old has never graded worse than 22nd among guards. <\/p>\n Yet, of course many teams, likely including the Chiefs, will be looking to sign Smith to a massive contract this offseason. So if the Vikings can\u2019t land Smith, perhaps robbing Kevin Zeitler from the Lions or Teven Jenkins from the Bears would be ideal backup plans. <\/p>\n Other Vikings free agency guard targets: Kevin Zeitler, Teven Jenkins<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMentioned in this article: D.J. Reed<\/a> Darius Slayton<\/a> Jevon Holland<\/a> Milton Williams<\/a> NFL Free Agency<\/a> Trey Smith<\/a> <\/p>\n More About:Minnesota Vikings Rumors<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t![\"Minnesota](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/NFL-New-York-Jets-at-Minnesota-Vikings-24422170-788x525.jpg\")
Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
Run Grade = Run Defense Grade
Rush Grade = Pass Rush Grade pic.twitter.com\/YB13BCUgi9<\/a><\/p>\n![\"NFL:](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/NFL-NFC-Wild-Card-Round-New-York-Giants-at-Minnesota-Vikings-19798313-788x525.jpg\")
Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
-3 3rd down conversions
-2 deep catches pic.twitter.com\/4IySmsLN4H<\/a><\/p>\n![\"NFL:](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/NFL-Minnesota-Vikings-at-Miami-Dolphins-19245798-788x525.jpg\")
Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images<\/p>\n![\"NFL:](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/NFL-Philadelphia-Eagles-at-Baltimore-Ravens-24894495-788x525.jpg\")
Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
y = Pressure %
Sacks = 3 pressures
QB Hits = 2 pressures
Hurries = 1 pressure pic.twitter.com\/4dSD57FDWy<\/a><\/p>\n![\"NFL:](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/NFL-Minnesota-Vikings-at-Kansas-City-Chiefs-16700001-788x561.jpg\")
Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udcf1: Stream on #NFLPlus<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/lLoeQ2khA2<\/a><\/p>\n