Free agency is still going on, but we can have some fun with power rankings, right?
The Minnesota Vikings headed into free agency with much to accomplish. First, get under the salary cap number for 2026. Next, find a suitable quarterback to compete with J.J. McCarthy. Finally, draft impact players to help fill holes with the team up against the salary cap.
Doing all of these things without a permanent general manager just makes things more interesting for Minnesota. The Vikings accomplished the first two items on their checklist by adding Kyler Murray on a vet minimum and cutting their salary down, but the draft will be the hardest part for a win-now team looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2025.
Where do the Vikings rank in PFF's post-free-agency power rankings?
18. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings’ massive cap deficit in the lead-up to free agency largely hindered the team’s ability to pursue even middle-of-the-market talent. To address some of the most pressing needs on the roster, Minnesota had to get creative and play into the upside of potential targets, which led to the signings of Kyler Murray and cornerback James Pierre.
Getting Murray at the veteran minimum is an incredibly savvy move for the team and player, allowing the Vikings to add viable competition at the position following J.J. McCarthy’s struggles, while also allowing Murray to play under Kevin O'Connell, who has a strong track record for quarterback development.
Pro Football Focus has defensive tackle, center, and safety as the Vikings post free-agency needs.
The Vikings have seen an exodus of veteran defensive tackles lately, leaving them with just Jalen Redmond as a reliable starter. Redmond was also their only interior player to earn at least a 60.0 PFF run-defense grade that season, so Minnesota could opt for defenders in the draft who can improve upon that.
Ryan Kelly’s retirement also brings ambiguity to the Vikings' center position if they choose to lean away from incumbents Blake Brandel and Michael Jurgens. Lastly, Harrison Smith’s potential retirement would leave a leadership void at safety, though the team could feasibly survive with Josh Metellus and Theo Jackson still in the fold.
Kelly's retirement certainly alters any plans the Vikings had for the draft. Dillon Theineman is a fit for the Vikings in the first round, but can they afford to pass on another positional need? The restructure of Aaron Jones could signal that Minnesota is out on drafting a running back as well. Jones and Mason could be enough in 2026.
Things will remain fluid with the draft in Pittsburgh just over a month away.