When free agency officially kicks off during the 2023 offseason, which players do the Minnesota Vikings have a realistic chance of signing?
After winning 13 games in 2022, the Minnesota Vikings are likely going to be looking to remain competitive when they return for the 2023 season. With this in mind, the Vikings could end up going after some players in free agency this year that can help them win immediately.
Before Minnesota can do anything in free agency this offseason, they need to clear a bunch of cap space. The Vikings are currently projected to begin the new league year more than $24 million over the 2023 salary cap according to OverTheCap.com.
So with less than a month left until free agency officially begins this offseason, we still don’t even really know how much money Minnesota is going to have to spend.
When the Vikings eventually figure their salary cap situation out and clear some space, who are some of the more realistic options in free agency this year that we can expect them to target?
Connor McGovern – C
2022 Team: New York Jets
Garrett Bradbury is a free agent this year, and even though he took some steps forward in 2022, he still caused plenty of problems for the Vikings with his poor blocking in the middle of the offensive line.
If Minnesota wants to replace Bradbury with a proven veteran who has consistently ranked among the best centers in the NFL during the last few seasons, Connor McGovern could be their guy. McGovern will likely be one of the more expensive centers on the market this year, but he’s proven to be worth the money as PFF has ranked him among the 10-best centers in the league in three of the last four seasons.
Darrell Henderson – RB
2022 Teams: Los Angeles Rams and Jacksonville Jaguars
Since he’s hitting free agency this year, Alexander Mattison probably isn’t returning to the Vikings for the 2023 season. So Minnesota will likely be looking to add a free-agent running back with some significant experience this year to either be the backup for Dalvin Cook or replace him as a starter.
Darrell Henderson is someone to keep an eye on. He opened the 2022 campaign as the starter for the Los Angeles Rams, but they actually ended up releasing him before the season even came to a close.
Aside from his strange year in 2022, Henderson was with the Rams in 2020 and 2021 when Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell was the team’s offensive coordinator. During those two seasons, the 25-year-old running back averaged over 4.5 yards per carry, and he scored a total of 14 touchdowns.
Ogbonnia Okoronkwo – Edge
2022 Team: Houston Texans
There’s a legitimate possibility that the Vikings will choose to release Za’Darius Smith this offseason, as cutting him would create more than $13.5 million in cap space. If Minnesota does this, they’re going to need to add some more pass-rushing help this offseason.
Ogbonnia Okoronkwo is a guy that the Vikings probably wouldn’t have to break the bank for, but he could potentially make a big impact as a pass rusher.
In his fourth NFL season, Okoronkwo got the opportunity to start the first eight games of his career in 2022, and he made the most of his opportunities. In his eight starts last season, the 27-year-old pass rusher racked up 25 tackles (seven for a loss), 11 pressures, seven quarterback hits, five sacks, and one forced fumble.
Cameron Sutton – CB
2022 Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
In his first season as the team’s defensive coordinator, Brian Flores is going to need Minnesota’s cornerbacks to perform much better than they did in 2022. The Vikings ranked 31st in the NFL in passing yards allowed last season, and that is something that absolutely has to improve in 2023.
Someone Flores should be familiar with after spending the 2022 campaign with the Pittsburgh Steelers is Cameron Sutton. In two of the last three seasons, Sutton’s PFF grade has ranked among the top 30 cornerbacks in the NFL.
With Chandon Sullivan not expected to return in 2023, Sutton’s versatility to play well regardless of whether he lines up on the outside or in the slot is something that should likely intrigue Minnesota too.
Jacoby Brissett – QB
2022 Team: Cleveland Browns
If the Vikings don’t re-sign Nick Mullens this offseason, they’re going to be in need of a new No. 2 quarterback behind Kirk Cousins.
Jacoby Brissett is someone Minnesota could bring in that won’t compete for the starting job, but with 48 career starts, the team can feel confident about him stepping in for a few games if Cousins has to miss time in 2023.
Odell Beckham Jr. – WR
2021 Team: Los Angeles Rams
After not ending up with a team in 2022, Odell Beckham Jr. could be one of the most sought-after free-agent wide receivers this offseason. In need of an upgrade at the No. 2 spot on their receiver depth chart, the Vikings should be a team that attempts to sign Beckham in free agency this year.
Minnesota has connections to the receiver as he worked with Kevin O’Connell in 2021 when they were both members of the Rams, and he’s also good friends with Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson. Can O’Connell and Jefferson convince Beckham to sign with the purple and gold this year?
Matt Gay – K
2022 Team: Los Angeles Rams
Finding a new kicker is an underrated, but important, task for the Vikings this offseason. Greg Joseph has been the guy for the last two years in Minnesota, and his performance has been pretty underwhelming, to say the least.
If Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell doesn’t want to worry much about his kicking situation in 2023, then having his team pursue someone that he’s familiar with in Matt Gay (both were with the Rams in 2020 and 2021) is something he should do.
In his last two seasons, Gay has made more than 93 percent of his field-goal attempts, and he’s missed a grand total of two extra points.
Eric Rowe – S
2022 Team: Miami Dolphins
This offseason, Brian Flores is likely going to want to bring in a few familiar faces that he’s worked with in the past to help Minnesota adjust to his defensive scheme.
Eric Rowe is a guy who has spent more than five years of his NFL career working with Brian Flores, and he’s someone who can provide value to the Vikings even if he doesn’t end up winning a starting job.
Minnesota will likely attempt to give Lewis Cine the opportunity to start next to Harrison Smith next season, so, at the very least, Rowe is someone who can improve the depth of the team’s safety group.