Vikings free agent targets could include defensive help

Free agency begins on March 15 at 4 p.m. ET.

Positional needs: CB, DL, IOL, LB

Minnesota is $23 million over the salary cap, so any free-agent signings won’t be possible without some cap-clearing efforts. With the No. 7-ranked offense this year, expect the Vikings to try and upgrade their defense once free agency starts.

Minnesota ranked 18th in coverage per Pro Football Focus, allowing 5,058 yards passing, 25 touchdowns, and a team completion percentage of 72.7. Finding a solid cover cornerback should sit at the top of the team’s list of priorities. Also, look for the Vikings to bolster their front seven — particularly at linebacker. 

Minnesota also struggled in pass protection, and with a suspect interior offensive line, don’t be surprised if the front office pursues a center or guard in free agency as well.

Nik Needham, CB, Miami Dolphins

With 2022 second-rounder Andrew Booth producing an underwhelming rookie season (12 tackles in six games) and just two Vikings defensive backs allowing a completion percentage under 60, cornerback should be at the top of the priority list. 

Although he’s started just 27 of his 51 NFL games, Needham is still young (26), and he has enough experience to be a solid starter if given a bigger role. He was limited to just six games in 2022 but Needham played in 12 or more games the previous three years with 50 or more tackles each season. While not a ballhawk, Needham had two interceptions each season from 2019-2021.

Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Dallas Cowboys

The cap-strapped Vikings need to upgrade at linebacker and they need to do it on a budget. Vander Esch is coming off a one-year prove-it deal with Dallas at $2 million, and while he put up 90 tackles, he didn’t do much else. 

He registered just four tackles for loss, one sack, a QB hit, and three QB pressures. Just 26, Vander Esch has had 60 or more tackles in five straight years, and he could probably be had for a salary in the neighborhood of $4 million.