 and New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) talks after the Giants win between New York Giants and Indianapolis Colts at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024. © Julian Leshay Guadalupe/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Joe-Flacco-Drew-Lock.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=646,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Joe-Flacco-Drew-Lock.jpg”><figcaption><span>Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco (15) and New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) talks after the Giants win between New York Giants and Indianapolis Colts at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024. © Julian Leshay Guadalupe/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.</span></figcaption></figure>
<p>The Minnesota Vikings have not disappointed in free agency, notably adding Ryan Kelly (C), <a href=)
Will Fries (G), Jonathan Allen (DT), Javon Hargrave (DT), and Isaiah Rodgers (CB), in addition to re-upping with Aaron Jones (RB), Byron Murphy Jr. (CB), Theo Jackson (S), Harrison Smith (S).
5 Free Agents Left for Vikings to Target
But here’s the deal: Minnesota isn’t necessarily done adding newcomers.
Equipped with plenty of cap space to unload, consider these five targets as common sense players remaining for Vikings free agency. They’re listed in ascending order (No. 1 = best target).
5. Jerome Baker (LB)
 takes the field against the New England Patriots at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/USATSI_24697069.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/USATSI_24697069.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/USATSI_24697069-788×444.jpg” alt><figcaption> Steve Roberts-Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>Each offseason, Adofo-Mensah adds at least one veteran off-ball linebacker. See: Jordan Hicks, Troy Reeder, Kamu Grugier-Hill, and Blake Cashman.</p>
<p>Because of Jerome Baker’s previous ties to Flores, he may fill that role for Minnesota in 2025. Minnesota signed linebacker Eric Wilson on Friday, but he might be more of a special teamer.</p>
<h2>4. Drew Lock (QB)</h2>
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<figure><img loading=)
3. Will Hernandez (G)
” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/USATSI_22217590.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/USATSI_22217590.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/USATSI_22217590-788×444.jpg” alt>
Hernandez is a solid guard coming off an October knee injury, and his price tag will be smallish accordingly.
He graded a 74.0 pass-protection grade from Pro Football Focus before missing the remainder of the season. Hernandez is not elite, but the man can ball.
2. Mike Hilton (CB)
 celebrates a stop in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. The Bengals won 19-17 to finish the regular season at 9-8. © Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Mike-Hilton.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=619,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Mike-Hilton.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Mike-Hilton-788×444.jpg” alt><figcaption>Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Mike Hilton (21) celebrates a stop in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. The Bengals won 19-17 to finish the regular season at 9-8. © Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>Hilton is considered by many to be the best blitzing cornerback in the business.</p>
<p>The Vikings employ the most blitz-happy defensive coordinator in the sport, maybe the sport’s history.</p>
<p>Minnesota could also use an extra cornerback. Hilton can be the guy. It all makes sense. </p>
<h2>1. Shaq Mason (G)</h2>
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<figure><img loading=)
He’s not the elite asset from the Patriots days (2015-2021), but he’s still more dependable than Brandel. He also shouldn’t be terribly expensive.
This fivesome would be fantastic:
LT: Christian Darrisaw
LG: Shaq Mason
C: Ryan Kelly
RG: Will Fries
RT: Brian O’Neill
Who says no?
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 Vikings 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.
