5 free-agent safeties the Vikings could sign in 2022

With 2022 free agency getting underway, what available safeties could the Minnesota Vikings target this offseason?

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell made the first big move of their regime on Sunday, extending Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins through 2023. This move predictably lowered Cousins’ cap hit, bringing the Vikings closer to being under the 2022 salary cap.

Minnesota still needs to make a few more moves, whether that be cuts or restructures, to free up enough cap space to make any sort of splashes in free agency.

Once the Vikings find themselves under the cap, watch for them to bring in at least one safety to pair next to Harrison Smith. Cam Bynum played well in a limited role last season, and there is a chance Ed Donatell trusts Bynum enough to start him in Week 1 of 2022.

Either way, Minnesota will need another safety, whether as a rock-solid starter opposite Smith or a veteran backup for Bynum, who could start in a pinch in case Bynum does not work out.

The NFL has a variety of safeties available in free agency this offseason, ranging from potential top-of-the-market players to players who might not command higher than the vet minimum.

Here are five that fall somewhere in the middle and could potentially end up in purple for the 2022 season.