What grades do the Minnesota Vikings deserve for the players they acquired during their first wave of free agency acquisitions?
The Minnesota Vikings have been active in free agency, attempting to fill holes in the team's roster. They have re-signed some of the players who were part of the team last season but are also bringing some new faces to purple and gold jerseys in 2024.
The announcements of Blake Brandel, David Quessenberry, Jonathan Bullard, Johnny Mundt, Johnny Mundt, Nick Muse, and Theo Jackson re-signing are all good, but the players coming to the Vikings for the first time deserve special attention.
At the moment, there are six new players who are slated to come to Minnesota thanks to being signed in free agency. Each individual has their own skills and assets to go with their contracts during the 2024 NFL season.
Let's take a look at those six players and see what they have to offer the Minnesota Vikings and assign an early grade to the transaction as the team and its fans prepare for what could be a very interesting year in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
Vikings free agent No. 1
Jonathan Greenard, edge
Contract: 4 years, $76 million
The Minnesota Vikings were in a sticky situation. With Danielle Hunter, Marcus Davenport, and D.J. Wonnum all hitting free agency, the team would need to seek out new starters as well as some depth to play outside linebacker.
Jonathan Greenard will fill one of those starting roles for the Vikings. Last season, he opened eyes with the Texans, registering 12.5 sacks in 15 games played. That shouldn't be too surprising since he had eight sacks in 12 games in 2022.
At 26 years old, Minnesota locked down the former Louisville and Florida standout for four seasons but ended up investing $19 million per season for the services of Houston's third-round draft pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Greenard might not be a replacement for Danielle Hunter but he should be more than productive in Brian Flores' aggressive defense and be able to solidify a position of need for several years, freeing up the team to work on other areas.
Grade: B
Although Greenard will be a welcome addition to the Minnesota Vikings defense, they did open their wallet pretty wide for his services. If he can continue to improve as a player, this could be a great investment in a young talent.
Vikings free agent No. 2
Andrew Van Ginkel, edge
Contract: 2 years, $20 million
As already stated, the Minnesota Vikings needed to search for help on the edge immediately. Jonathan Greenard was brought in to be one of the team's starters but the spot on the opposite side could be up for grabs.
A Rock Valley, Iowa native, Andrew Van Ginkel could be a sneaky good signing for Minnesota. He should also be a familiar face to Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores thanks to their time together in Miami.
Van Ginkel was a fifth-round draft pick in 2019 and has been a reliable defender. He hasn't missed a game in four seasons and is coming off a season that saw him earn a career-high six sacks despite only playing 66 percent of the Dolphins' defensive snaps.
Youth is also on Van Ginkel's side. At 28 years old, he has plenty of time to hone his craft. Pro Football Focus graded him exceptionally well in 2023, earning a 91.1 overall grade. This is all encouraging news for the Vikings.
Grade: B+
Signing Andrew Van Ginkel provides a reasonable investment in a solid player who has ties to the coaching staff of the Minnesota Vikings. If he can earn a starting role, this signing will look even better than a B+.
Vikings free agent No. 3
Blake Cashman, linebacker
Contract: 3 years, $25.5 million
The Minnesota Vikings hit the linebacker market pretty hard. The team turned their attention to the interior linebackers and signed former Houston Texans defender Blake Cashman to start next to Ivan Pace Jr.
Cashman was a fifth-round draft pick of the New York Jets in 2019 and spent three seasons there before moving to the Texans for two seasons. He is likely better known by Vikings for being an Eden Prairie, Minnesota native who played his college ball at the University of Minnesota.
Aside from being a hometown product, there is a lot to like about Cashman's play on the field. He played in 14 games last season, starting 13 of those contests, and registered a career-high 106 combined tackles.
Blake Cashman is a 27-year-old defender who could fit well with what the Vikings are trying to do on defense. His age and ability make a three-year deal something that could pay dividends for the Minnesota Vikings.
Grade: B+
It's nice to see Cashman filling a role with the Minnesota Vikings but 2023 was his first year starting more than five games in a season. However he was the AFC Defensive player of the Week in Week 6 last season and has flashed enough potential to be excited about.
Vikings free agent No. 4
Sam Darnold, quarterback
Contract: 1 year, $10 million
It would be hard to find a Minnesota Vikings fan who is extremely excited about Sam Darnold joining the team, but there are some valid reasons it makes a lot of sense for him to be in a purple and gold jersey in 2024.
At one time, Darnold was one of the top quarterback prospects in college. However, since being the No. 3 overall draft selection by the New York Jets in 2018, the former USC passer has struggled to find a starting role and has accepted a role as a backup.
Darnold has a starting record of 21-35 in the NFL and a 63-to-56 touchdown-to-interception ratio in his career. It is difficult to be optimistic about his chances to win football games if he is named the starter for 2024.
The Minnesota Vikings likely signed Darnold as rookie insurance. Expect the Minnesota Vikings to be extremely interested in selecting a quarterback in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft and for the team to start Darnold until the young prospect is ready.
Grade: D+
There were better options in free agency and $10 million is a little steep for Darnold's services. Let's hope he can prove his doubters wrong if he is given the opportunity to be the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings in 2024.
Vikings free agent No. 5
John Parker Romo, kicker
Contract: TBD
The Minnesota Vikings didn't have a kicker on their roster and they may have temporarily filled that hole by agreeing to terms with John Parker Romo, who has never attempted a kick during an NFL game.
Many fans may have expected the Vikings to re-sign Greg Joseph since he was a consistent kicker from within 40 yards, but Minnesota opted to ink Romo first although they may open the job to a competition this preseason.
Romo spent some time with the New Orleans Saints, Detroit Lions, and Chicago Bears in the preseason. Plus, the 26-year-old Peachtree, Georgia native had a stint with the San Antonio Brahmas of the XFL.
A relative unknown as far as kicking talent, it will be interesting to see if the Minnesota Vikings either sign an experienced kicker, pick up an undrafted free agent, or use a draft pick on one to give the young man some competition this offseason.
Grade: C
There is very little to evaluate when it comes to John Parker Romo. He has no NFL game experience and the details of his deal haven't been announced, so it's hard to like or dislike this transaction until there is more information to base an opinion on.
Vikings free agent No. 6
Aaron Jones, running back
Contract: 1 year, $7 million
Last year was abysmal for the Minnesota Vikings rushing attack. The team moved on from previous starter Alexander Mattison and declined the restricted free-agent status of Cam Akers, opening the position for a new face to take the lead.
When the Green Bay Packers signed Josh Jacobs and released Aaron Jones, Vikings fans immediately saw that the former division rival might fit what Minnesota wants to do on offense in 2024.
Jones has been a 1,000-yard rusher three times in his career and is a dangerous receiver out of the backfield. It will be interesting to see what Kevin O'Connell can draw up for him as part of Minnesota's offensive attack.
Vikings fans should be quite familiar with Jones from how many times he and the Packers faced Minnesota since the 29-year-old running back arrived in the NFL as a fifth-round pick in the 2017 NFL draft.
Grade: B+
Minnesota needed experienced help in the backfield and got exactly that in Aaron Jones. Compared to other running backs in free agency, Jones' contract might look a little steep, but since it is only one year, it will allow the Vikings to explore some other options for the future.