An Updated List of the Vikings Players Hitting Free Agency This Spring
Plenty has changed since we took a look at all of the Vikings' 2024 free agents last summer. Without further ado, here's an updated list of Minnesota's 28 in-house FAs this spring.
The big two
Kirk Cousins and Danielle Hunter are the Vikings' two main in-house free agents. They'll be in high demand around the league.
- QB Kirk Cousins
- OLB Danielle Hunter
Cousins stands alone as the Vikings' most important free agent and one of the most prominent players in the NFL's entire FA class this year. He has said he wants to be back in Minnesota. GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O'Connell have said they want to have him back. Nonetheless, it'll simply come down to whether or not they can agree on a price and structure that works for both sides.
Hunter also belongs in this tier as one of the top free agents edge rushers in the league this year (along with Jacksonville's Josh Allen). He's coming off a 16.5-sack Pro Bowl season and doesn't turn 30 until next October, so someone's going to give him a bag. Will that be the Vikings?
Both players have large dead cap hits due to void years that would hit the Vikings' books if they sign elsewhere.
Recently-acquired starters
- LB Jordan Hicks
- LG Dalton Risner
- OLB Marcus Davenport
Hicks has been a key leader for the Vikings' defense over the past two seasons, reaching new heights in 2023 under Brian Flores. Risner was signed early this season and played well enough to make Ezra Cleveland expendable via trade. Davenport was a massive bust as a free agent signing, playing just two full games due to injury. It would be stunning if he's back.
Vikings 2020 draft picks
- OLB D.J. Wonnum
- WR K.J. Osborn
- LB Troy Dye
- T Blake Brandel (RFA)
- DT James Lynch
Wonnum stepped up in a contract year and had his best season before getting hurt. Osborn didn't have quite the year he was hoping for, struggling with drops at times. Lynch spent the year on injured reserve. Justin Jefferson isn't here because he's under contract via the fifth-year option. Neither is Josh Metellus, who was extended prior to the season.
Midseason pickups who had moments
- QB Josh Dobbs
- RB Cam Akers (RFA)
- LB Anthony Barr
I'll never forget those first three Dobbs games. Akers was playing pretty well before unfortunately tearing his Achilles again. Barr was signed off the street late in the year and didn't play a whole lot.
Everyone else
- OL Oli Udoh
- OL David Quessenberry
- K Greg Joseph
- DL Jonathan Bullard
- WR Brandon Powell
- DL Sheldon Day
- OL Austin Schlottmann
- OL Chris Reed
- TE Johnny Mundt
- LB Nick Vigil
- OL Hakeem Adeniji
- DL Khyiris Tonga (RFA)
- TE Nick Muse (ERFA)
- DL T.J. Smith (ERFA)
- S Theo Jackson (ERFA)
Joseph and Bullard are probably the biggest names here. There are also a bunch of backup-caliber offensive linemen in this group.
As a reminder, restricted free agents (RFAs) are players with three accrued seasons and an expired contract. Via the NFL: "RFAs are free to negotiate and sign with any team, but their original team can offer them one of various qualifying offers ("tenders") that come with the right of first refusal and/or draft-pick compensation."
Exclusive rights free agents (ERFAs) are players with fewer than three accrued seasons and an expired contract. "If his original team offers him a one-year contract at the league minimum (based on his credited seasons), the player cannot negotiate with other teams."
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