The Minnesota Vikings need to address their roster gaps after the draft, particularly at wide receiver and outside linebacker. They have several free agents in mind to fill these positions before training camp.
Key points
Minnesota Vikings traded Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles
Vikings did not draft any wide receivers
Team needs to address gaps at wide receiver and outside linebacker
Free agents can still be signed before training camp
Mentioned in this story
Jonathan Greenard
Minnesota VikingsPhiladelphia Eagles
5 Free Agents Who Make Sense for the Vikings after the Draft
The roster is thinner in two obvious spots, and Minnesota can still patch both before training camp.
So, here’s who they should sign. Plain and simple.
A Few Veterans Still Fit Minnesota’s New Roster Situation
Ranked from good signing to best, this is the Vikings’ theoretical free-agent pecking order. Note: The Vikings obviously won’t sign all of these players.
Tyreek Hill standing on Dolphins sideline during first half against Ravens. Vikings free agents
Tyreek Hill stands near the sideline during the first half, surveying the field as teammates and coaches move behind him on Sep 18, 2022, at M&T Bank Stadium in . The wide receiver wears his No. 10 jersey while awaiting the next series against the . Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports.
Q&A
Who are the free agents the Vikings should consider signing after the draft?
The article suggests several free agents that could help the Vikings, particularly at wide receiver and outside linebacker.
Why did the Vikings trade Jonathan Greenard?
The Vikings traded Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles, which has created a need for additional players in key positions.
What positions do the Vikings need to fill after the draft?
The Vikings need to fill gaps at wide receiver and outside linebacker after not drafting any wide receivers.
When is the Vikings training camp scheduled to start?
The Vikings training camp is expected to start in late July, making it crucial for them to sign free agents soon.
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Hill’s existing relationship with Frank Smith, his offensive coach for four seasons in Miami and now Minnesota’s assistant head coach, presents a significant advantage if Hill’s free agency takes off. Additionally, Hill’s childhood as a Vikings fan creates a natural appeal.
If his medical checks clear, general managers will act swiftly. While his dastardly 2025 injury complicates the timing, a verdict should be near on Hill’s availability for 2026. If he receives clearance, Minnesota should pursue him aggressively; a hypothetical trio of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Tyreek Hill would be magnificent.
This offseason, the Vikings hired Ryan Nielsen as their defensive run game coordinator. Nielsen, a well-traveled coach, most recently served as a senior defensive assistant for the Bills in 2025. There, he worked with Epenesa, a former 2nd-Round pick now in his sixth season.
Epenesa remains unsigned, is currently in the mid-tier free-agent market, and is likely available for approximately $4–7 million. His role is well-defined: given sufficient playing time, he consistently generates pressure on quarterbacks. He typically records around six sacks per season, making him a solid rotational depth piece behind Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner.
Epenesa’s primary weakness is his run defense, an aspect of his game that has not significantly improved over the years. That lack of development likely contributes to his current market value and explains Buffalo’s reluctance to re-sign him. Nevertheless, he remains a valuable asset as a situational pass-rusher.
In Minnesota, the Vikings have Jalen Redmond, Caleb Banks, and Domonique Orange for run defense. They just need an extra pass rusher.
Bosa played 64% of defensive snaps last year in Buffalo and 50% in Los Angeles (Chargers) the year before that. Truth be told, with Greenard’s departure to the Eagles, that’s what Minnesota needs — a third pass rusher who can play on passing downs or start if something happens to Van Ginkel or Turner.
Joey Bosa lined up on defense during Chargers vs Rams game. Vikings free agents.
Joey Bosa lines up for the Los Angeles Chargers, focused on the snap and ready to rush from his linebacker spot during action on Jan 1, 2023, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. The defensive star wears No. 97 as the Chargers face the Rams in a Los Angeles matchup. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.
The four-time Pro Bowler has 10 sacks in the last two seasons. Why not add five more in Minnesota as Bosa embarks on his 30s? It could work.
Kyler Murray, entering his eighth season, has never been known for a deep-ball-heavy offense, although Murray certainly has the arm for it. If the Vikings build their offense around his obvious strengths — a strategy they absolutely should pursue — Samuel would be a highly sensible target.
Samuel excels with the ball in his hands, typically operating near or just beyond the line of scrimmage. At his peak with the San Francisco 49ers, he even functioned as a part-time running back, transforming short receptions into game-changing plays.
His age, turning 30 this year, is a factor. Samuel will likely seek a team with a legitimate chance at a Super Bowl. With Murray now leading the charge, Minnesota wouldn’t be a long-shot destination. The Vikings could offer a concrete quarterback plan, a dynamic offensive scheme from Kevin O’Connell, and a roster poised for contention.
Bring him to Minnesota.
Pro FootballNetwork‘s Austin Swaim on Samuel to the Vikings: “Imagine telling someone at the start of 2023 that Deebo Samuel would be combining with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. That would be discussed as perhaps the greatest wide receiver room ever. Samuel’s ‘decline’ being a season in which he still crested 700 receiving yards despite quarterback issues might mean that becomes a reality, especially as the Vikings look to give either Kyler Murray or J.J. McCarthy all the assistance they can get.”
“Minnesota has holes at cornerback, safety, running back, offensive line, and potentially EDGE if they end up dealing Jonathan Greenard. I just don’t think they can invest a quality pick into a reliable No. 3 receiver, and Samuel is a great complement in the slot to Jefferson and Addison’s ability to get vertical.”
Clowney played 373 defensive snaps for the 2025 Dallas Cowboys and tabulated 8.5 sacks. He’s 33, so he assuredly isn’t a long-term solution, but let’s face it: with Greenard gone and Van Ginkel scheduled for free agency next offseason, Minnesota will probably have to draft an EDGE rusher early in 2027. In the meantime, Clowney makes sense as a patchover OLB, a man who can start if Van Ginkel or Turner battle injuries.
Jadeveon Clowney on field during Panthers vs Cardinals game. Vikings free agents.
Jadeveon Clowney patrols the field for the Carolina Panthers during second-half action, scanning the offense and preparing for the next play on Dec 22, 2024, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Wearing No. 7, he faces the Arizona Cardinals in a late-season contest. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images.
The former first-overall pick (2014) never quite lived up to his billing, but he’s had staying power in the league, and if he were anything other than a first-overall pick, his career would be considered a resounding success.
He’d probably cost the Vikings $5 million. A bargain.
