4 Realistic Free Agents for the Vikings

Buffalo Bills running back Latavius Murray (28) celebrates his running touchdown against the Broncos. © Jamie Germano/Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK.

With a 5-0 record exiting their bye, the Minnesota Vikings don’t have too many roster shortcomings, which is a good situation.

4 Realistic Free Agents for the Vikings

However, Minnesota has learned firsthand that injuries are prevalent, so adding an extra free agent or two amid the next 12 games is more than fair game.

These are the four most realistic free-agent candidates for the purple team, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = the top target).

4. Latavius Murray (RB)

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Murray signed with the Vikings in 2017 to kick off the post-Adrian Peterson era, a few weeks before the team selected Dalvin Cook in the draft. Once Cook suffered a knee injury, Murray became the team’s top rusher, forming a solid tandem with Jerick McKinnon (also a current free agent). In two seasons with the Vikings, he recorded 1,460 rushing yards, 244 receiving yards, and 14 touchdowns.

The 34-year-old is now a free agent after multiple stops since 2019 and has an ageless, Frank Gore-like talent in his bag. If Aaron Jones’ hip injury stubbornly took too long to heal — or if he encountered another injury — Murray could tote the rock about 10-12 games for Minnesota.

3. J.C. Jackson (CB)

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Some legal woes ruined Jackson’s 2023 campaign, but the free agent is probably chomping at the bit for another job. Not long ago — the 2021 season — Jackson served as one of the league’s best cornerbacks. He’s also just 28 — six years younger than Stephon Gilmore, the Vikings’ current CB1.

Jackson crossed paths with Brian Flores for one season, too, in 2018 while he was a rookie.

2. Matt Breida (RB)

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Breida is 29 and hasn’t fired up a season with 500+ rushing yards since 2019. He won’t be utilized as an RB1 solution. An RB3 job, however, would look good on him.

Like Murray above, Breida could fill some snaps at RB1 or RB2 if Aaron Jones’ injuries linger.

Not long ago, Bredia was known for speed and could have some juice left in the tank. He’d add RB depth if Minnesota isn’t enamored with Myles Gaskin and practice squader Zavier Scott.

1. Mason Cole (C)

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Cole lived on the Vikings’ roster in 2021 and is actually a dependable reservist center — or could be for Minnesota. He’s started 34 games in the last two seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but Mike Tomlin and friends had other plans in 2024, drafting Zach Frazier in April. Not for nothing, Fraizer is already a total baller.

General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah should explore Cole’s free agency because Garrett Bradbury has encountered injury issues in the last three years. Cole is a better football player than Bradbury’s current backup, Dan Feeney.

Plus, any veteran still on the open market would be affordable. Some team will sign Cole before too long. He’s only 28.

Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL. 

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.