Vikings should maximize their free agency haul in 2025 with one key strategy that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has used before

Vikings can use one strategy to maximize free agency

It's not just about identifying quality free agents. Anyone can do that. The real puzzle is maximizing the talented players you identify while also winning in the negotiations and finding a way to get under the salary cap.

There is also the other element of compensatory selections. The Vikings are primed to get a third-round compensatory pick from losing Kirk Cousins in free agency last year. They could have gotten another one but chose to sign cornerback Shaquill Griffin instead. There was some controversy last offseason when it came to what round that pick would be in, but Griffin was a solid player for them, including a game-winning interception.

One of the intriguing elements that Adofo-Mensah jumped on last year was bringing in Aaron Jones right after the Green Bay Packers released him. They didn't waste time either, agreeing to a contract with him within 24 hours of him being released.

The one intriguing element of that contract? Jones was cut, meaning he wasn't eligible for the compensatory pick formula. It was especially important with the Vikings primed to get a third-round pick for Cousins.

This strategy is one the Vikings should utilize again, especially as they are primed to get one or two more compensatory picks in the third and fourth rounds. They are primed to lose Cam Robinson and potentially Darnold, both of whom could fetch a third-round pick. If they lose Byron Murphy Jr. and Camryn Bynum, they could also be eligible for more draft pick compensation.

Signing players who are cut is a cheat code for general managers to maximize their assets. The Baltimore Ravens have been using this philosophy to manipulate the compensatory selections for years. They have the most-ever compensatory selections awarded through the 2024 NFL Draft with 56, while the Vikings are average, sitting 16th with 28 selections.

Now that the Vikings have a forward-thinking general manager, they can take advantage of this smart loophole to continue building that Super Bowl caliber roster.