9 free agents the Vikings could sign before the 2022 NFL Draft

Sony Michel – RB

2021 Team: Los Angeles Rams

Minnesota currently has Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison at the top of their running back depth chart, but are we sure Kene Nwangwu is ready to be in the No. 3 spot?

Nwangwu was impressive as a kick returner last season, but we didn’t really get to see much of him in the Vikings’ offensive backfield. So there is still plenty of mystery surrounding the second-year running back out of Iowa State.

If new Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell is looking to add another running back to the team’s roster this offseason that is already familiar with the type of offense he’s looking to implement, Sony Michel could be his guy.

Michel rushed for 845 yards and four touchdowns last year in addition to catching 21 passes for 128 yards and a score. He has plenty of starting experience and he also has the talent to potentially grab the No. 2 running back job away from Mattison.

Matt Paradis – C

2021 Team: Carolina Panthers

There is no reason that the Vikings haven’t brought in any competition at center for Garrett Bradbury. During his entire career in the NFL, Bradbury has been one of the league’s worst centers, and it’s hard to imagine that a coaching change is going to be what turns things around for him.

Before he tore his ACL in Week 9, Matt Paradis was playing at a solid level for the Panthers in 2021. Even with just nine appearances last season, PFF still graded Paradis as the 16th-best center in the NFL.

If his knee injury is recovered enough for him to return to the field in time for training camp, he should be someone for Minnesota to consider bringing in as competition for Bradbury in training camp.