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3 Free Agents Vikings Should Sign to Complete Offseason

By Scott Rogust

The Vikings should definitely add these three players off the open market.
The Vikings should definitely add these three players off the open market. / Stacy Revere/Getty Images

The Minnesota Vikings entered the 2020 league year under cap hell, but managed to escape it by extending quarterback Kirk Cousins' contract and trading the hefty contract of receiver Stefon Diggs to the Buffalo Bills. After selecting an unprecedented 15 rookies in the NFL Draft. Even with those young additions, the Vikings could use some veteran help to fill positional needs. With nearly $8 million in cap space, the Vikings can make some cost efficient moves on the open market.

Here are three free agents that the Vikings should absolutely sign to finish off their offseason.

3. Mike Person, G

The Vikings desperately need offensive guard depth.
The Vikings desperately need offensive guard depth. / Michael Zagaris/Getty Images

The Vikings released offensive guard Josh Kline this offseason, and barely addressed the position during the NFL Draft. Their lone addition was Washburn's Kyle Hinton in the seventh round. Pat Elflein is an average starting guard, while Dakota Dozier and Dru Samia leave a lot to be desired. Minnesota could fix the problem in the short-term by signing Mike Person, formerly of the NFC Champion San Francisco 49ers. Person started in all 14 games he played in last season, and played a factor in the 49ers having an electric running game. Adding him to the roster would do wonders for Vikings running back Dalvin Cook.

2. Taylor Gabriel, WR

The Vikings could still use a veteran on their wide receiver depth chart.
The Vikings could still use a veteran on their wide receiver depth chart. / Will Newton/Getty Images

Minnesota had a void at wide receiver entering the NFL Draft after moving on from Stefon Diggs, and walked away with LSU stud Justin Jefferson. Even with the addition of the rookie, the Vikings don't have much depth behind him and Adam Thielen. Minnesota can solve that issue by signing Taylor Gabriel, formerly of the Chicago Bears. Gabriel shined in his first year in the Windy City, where he recorded 67 receptions for 688 yards and two touchdowns. Even though his 2019 campaign was cut short, he still managed to score four touchdowns with Mitchell Trubisky throwing him the ball. Signing Gabriel would be a wise move for general manager Rick Spielman. Gabriel gets an immediate upgrade at quarterback, and Kirk Cousins gets himself another weapon to target. A win-win.

1. Vinny Curry, DE

Minnesota needs to fill the void left by Everson Griffen.
Minnesota needs to fill the void left by Everson Griffen. / Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

Yes, the Vikings did add defensive end help in the NFL Draft (DJ Wonnum and Kenny Willekes), but they still have a void left by Everson Griffen. While Spielman is still leaving the door open, we wouldn't be shocked if he gets a more lucrative option elsewhere. But luckily for the Vikings, they can get a cheap veteran option on the market, and Vinny Curry stands out as the best of the bunch. Curry is coming off a bounce-back campaign with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he recorded 27 tackles and five sacks through 16 regular season games (two starts). Curry won't match the production of Griffen, but he'd be a solid option off the bench for head coach Mike Zimmer.