Key players to improve offense and defense are among the Vikings’ top five free-agent targets in 2025, along with Trey Smith.

As the Minnesota Vikings prepare for the 2025 NFL season, it’s clear that they are in a position to build on their current roster and take the next step in their pursuit of a Super Bowl. However, to truly compete with the NFL’s elite teams, the Vikings will need to address certain areas of weakness and add key pieces that can help them on both sides of the ball.

One of the most critical positions the Vikings need to strengthen is the offensive line. Despite having Kirk Cousins at quarterback and one of the most dynamic receivers in the league in Justin Jefferson, the offensive line has struggled with consistency, particularly in pass protection and run-blocking. This is where Trey Smith, a standout guard for the Kansas City Chiefs, comes into play. Smith is one of the top free-agent targets the Vikings should consider to solidify their offensive line. But he isn’t the only target that could help elevate the Vikings’ roster.

In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into five key free-agent targets for the Vikings in 2025, focusing on positions that could improve both the offense and defense. Along with Trey Smith, these players would address some of the most pressing needs the Vikings have heading into the upcoming season.

1. Trey Smith (OG) – Kansas City Chiefs

Let’s start with Trey Smith, one of the most intriguing free-agent options for the Vikings in 2025. As the right guard for the Kansas City Chiefs, Smith has consistently been one of the most dominant interior offensive linemen in the NFL. Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 330 pounds, Smith combines size, strength, and athleticism to control defenders at the point of attack.

The Vikings’ offensive line has struggled to protect Kirk Cousins and create enough lanes for Dalvin Cook in the running game, particularly on the interior. While Christian Darrisaw at left tackle and Garrett Bradbury at center are solid pieces, the guard positions have been inconsistent. Ezra Cleveland and Ed Ingram have shown flashes, but they have not been reliable week in and week out.

Smith could immediately upgrade the Vikings’ offensive line and provide the protection Cousins needs to thrive. He excels in both pass protection and the running game, making him an ideal fit for Minnesota’s offense. Adding Smith would not only help the Vikings with short-yardage and goal-line situations but also allow Dalvin Cook to find more space and make explosive plays in the running game. Smith’s leadership and experience would also provide a steady presence on the interior line, allowing the Vikings to focus on creating more balanced offensive attacks.

2. Javon Hargrave (DT) – Philadelphia Eagles

The Vikings’ defense has had its moments of brilliance but has also shown significant weakness, particularly when it comes to stopping the run and putting pressure on the quarterback. While the Vikings have some strong pieces in place, they need a dominant force on the interior of their defensive line to take their defense to the next level. Javon Hargrave, the standout defensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles, would be an excellent addition.

Hargrave, a former Pittsburgh Steelers player, has been one of the most disruptive interior defensive linemen in the NFL over the past several years. Known for his ability to collapse the pocket, stop the run, and pressure quarterbacks, Hargrave would be the ideal player to complement Dalvin Tomlinson on the defensive front.

In 2023, Hargrave posted a career-high 11 sacks, showcasing his pass-rushing ability from the interior. This would be an instant upgrade for a Vikings defense that has struggled to generate consistent pressure on the quarterback. Pairing Hargrave with Za’Darius Smith and Danielle Hunter on the defensive line would create a potent pass-rush unit that would be a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks.

Additionally, Hargrave’s ability to disrupt the running game would provide a much-needed boost in stopping the likes of Aaron Jones (Green Bay Packers) and David Montgomery (Detroit Lions) in the NFC North. By fortifying the interior of their defensive line, the Vikings would become significantly harder to move off the ball and would better be able to set the tone for defensive success.

3. Mike Gesicki (TE) – New England Patriots

While the Vikings have a talented group of receivers led by Justin Jefferson, one area of their offense that could use improvement is at tight end. T.J. Hockenson is a fantastic acquisition for Minnesota, but adding a second playmaking tight end like Mike Gesicki would make their offense even more dangerous.

Gesicki, who spent the first part of his career with the Miami Dolphins before moving to the New England Patriots, has been one of the most athletic and productive tight ends in the league. Known for his ability to stretch the field and create mismatches in the passing game, Gesicki is a nightmare for defenses. Standing at 6-foot-6 with a 4.54 40-yard dash, Gesicki possesses a combination of size and speed that allows him to create separation from defenders, even in tight coverage.

Adding Gesicki would give the Vikings a dynamic duo at tight end, with Hockenson as the reliable chain-mover and Gesicki as the deep threat. The ability to line up two athletic tight ends on the field at the same time would give the Vikings a massive advantage in both the run game and passing attack. This flexibility would allow offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell to run multiple formations, creating mismatches in both the short and long-range game.

Gesicki would also provide Kirk Cousins with another reliable weapon over the middle of the field, which is especially important when facing pressure from opposing defenses. His ability to create big plays in the passing game would complement the Vikings’ receiving corps and open up more opportunities for Justin Jefferson and KJ Osborn on the outside.

4. Tremaine Edmunds (LB) – Chicago Bears

While the Vikings have some promising pieces at linebacker, they still lack a true centerpiece who can be a dominant force in both the run and pass game. That’s where Tremaine Edmunds comes into play. The former Buffalo Bills linebacker, now with the Chicago Bears, has developed into one of the best all-around linebackers in the league.

Edmunds is known for his exceptional size (6-foot-5, 250 pounds) and athleticism. He’s one of the best coverage linebackers in the NFL and can cover tight ends, running backs, and even some wide receivers down the field. His ability to read the quarterback and cover in space would make him an ideal fit for the Vikings’ defense, particularly in coverage situations against opposing offenses’ top playmakers.

In addition to his coverage ability, Edmunds is a physical linebacker who excels against the run. His ability to diagnose plays and take on blockers while keeping his gap integrity would significantly improve the Vikings’ ability to stop the run. Pairing Edmunds with Jordan Hicks would give the Vikings an incredibly dynamic and versatile linebacker duo that could both stop the run and cover in passing situations.

Edmunds would provide the Vikings with a true playmaker in the middle of the defense, elevating their overall ability to defend against both the pass and the run. His leadership and instincts would be critical for improving the defense’s ability to contain top NFC North quarterbacks and running backs.

5. James Bradberry (CB) – Philadelphia Eagles

While the Vikings have Patrick Peterson and Cameron Dantzler on the roster, they could still benefit from adding another top-tier cornerback to their secondary. James Bradberry, who spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, is one of the most reliable cornerbacks in the league and would be a perfect fit for Minnesota’s defense.

Bradberry is a well-rounded cornerback who excels in both man-to-man and zone coverage. His size (6-foot-1, 210 pounds), speed, and ability to read the quarterback make him a difficult matchup for wide receivers. He has the ability to shut down number-one receivers, and his experience in high-pressure situations (having been to the Super Bowl with the Eagles) would bring a sense of calm and leadership to Minnesota’s secondary.

Adding Bradberry would allow the Vikings to pair him with Dantzler on the outside and shift Patrick Peterson into a more situational role. The ability to have two top-tier cornerbacks on the field would allow the Vikings to better defend against elite passing attacks like the ones from the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers. Bradberry’s physicality and ball skills would also help the Vikings create more turnovers, a key component in a defense that needs to improve its overall takeaway numbers.