​The Minnesota Vikings enter training camp with a little over $13 million in cap space as camp begins at the end of the month. If they don’t simply spend that money on extensions for players such as Brian O’Neill and Blake Cashman—two notable examples—new general manager Nolan Teasley could realistically add a player or two. When ranked in ascending order, the following positions and players make the most sense for that task, with No. 1 representing the most likely free-agent addition.
A starting center tops the list. Blake Brandel is expected to open 2026 as the center, and by Week 1 he would likely be the one snapping to Kyler Murray or J.J. McCarthy. But if training camp reveals Brandel isn’t up to the standard of a dependable starter, Kevin O’Connell might be forced to consider an external option. It’s a long shot, but not impossible. The free-agent market at center could look like this: Ethan Pocic. A potential trade could be more complex, but that becomes irrelevant if the Vikings have full faith in Brandel, who is 29 and entering his first full year as a starter—a stage where players often hit a “late to the party” moment.
The second priority would be depth at guard. The Vikings currently rely on Donovan Jackson and Will Fries as their starting guards. Jackson is trying to take the next step after a promising rookie season in 2025, while Fries signed a substantial contract last offseason and hopes to regain the form he showed during his 2024 stint with the Indianapolis Colts. But injuries are always a possibility. If a guard goes down, the Vikings would have to rely on Walter Rouse, a tackle who has flirted with moving to guard for about a year, or last year’s rookie Joe Huber, an undrafted find from Wisconsin. Would the team be comfortable starting Rouse or Huber if needed? If not, Minnesota may seek another guard. A notable example from a previous era is Will Hernandez of the Arizona Cardinals, who left a game against Carolina in 2022 and became part of a trade or roster adjustment scenario that underscored the importance of depth on the line. The main list of free-agent options to bolster this area is solid and provides meaningful depth, including players who could fit well with the Vikings’ system. Minnesota could also leverage new assistant head coach Frank Smith’s connections to pursue options such as Brunskill, who previously played for the Dolphins when Smith served as offensive coordinator.
The third priority is outside linebacker. The Jonathan Greenard trade has created a vacancy that the Vikings must address, unless rookie Jake Golday is ready to step in and contribute immediately. Depending on the evaluation during training camp, outside linebacker could be a focal point for a free-agent acquisition or a trade, especially if the organization wants to add veteran depth and versatility behind their edge players. The options on the open market include players who can contribute immediately in a rotational role or offer more veteran leadership as core pieces of the defense.
In summary, the Vikings’ cap space gives them flexibility to address several areas that could improve the team’s depth and versatility. The center position represents the most plausible upgrade path, whether through internal development or a strategic outside addition like an experienced free agent. Guard depth is a close second, given the potential for injuries and the need for reliable rotational players. Outside linebacker rounds out the top needs, with the potential to land a veteran presence who can contribute across special packages and base formations. The combination of cap room, positional needs, and camp evaluations will determine how aggressively Minnesota pursues free agents and whether Teasley leans toward prioritizing one position over another in shaping the roster for the 2026 season.