5 ideal free agents the Vikings should consider signing in 2022

Marcus Maye – S

A position that has been so strong for Minnesota in the past is starting to slowly decline for the Vikings. Harrison Smith is still a great player, but he is in his 30s now and isn’t the same Harry Hitman of the past.

Anthony Harris left during last year’s offseason after six seasons with the team, and the organization replaced him with Xavier Woods. Woods was a solid running mate alongside Smith, but he is an impending free agent, and it is not known whether he will return or not.

Marcus Maye could potentially be just another version of Woods: a player on a cheap one-year “prove it” deal that will sign elsewhere after their one season. But if you’re the Vikings, taking the risk on Maye could be worth it.

2021 was not kind to Maye, as he had off-the-field issues as well as a season-ending Achilles injury. But in years prior when Maye was healthy, he had been a very solid player.

Maye is more than likely not the long-term free safety solution the Vikings are looking for, and maybe they’ll decide to give Camryn Bynum the reigns over the position. But if the team is looking for a potentially cheap deal on a player that can contribute when healthy then Maye is their man.

If Maye doesn’t work out, the team could let him go or let his contract run out. But if his asking price isn’t too high, then going after him would make a lot of sense for the Vikings.