2026 Free Agency and Draft: DL
It's early, but with the exception of Styles, Downs and Love, this is the guy I want to see available at 18. Peter Woods, 6-3, 310, Clemson. Ideal size for a 3-down DT, plays the run and rushes the passer equally well. Versatile, played nose, 3-tech and even edge for the Tigers. Can beat a double team and his effort on every snap is 110%. Rumors of a 700 lb squat and a 4.86 forty. His issue is going to be arm length.
StickierBuns wrote:
Allen's cap number might be prohibitive to cutting him this year.
I think that's what most of us thought, but according to Doogie, sources have told him that it would be an "incredible longshot" for either of those players to be on our roster this upcoming season. Apparently the Vikings are currently shopping Hargrave, but they won't find a trade partner when they know he will get released anyway.
If both are gone, that leaves you with Redmond and a bunch of guys who were late round draft picks still trying to find their way. Not good
supafreak84 wrote:
I think that's what most of us thought, but according to Doogie, sources have told him that it would be an "incredible longshot" for either of those players to be on our roster this upcoming season. Apparently the Vikings are currently shopping Hargrave, but they won't find a trade partner when they know he will get released anyway.
If both are gone, that leaves you with Redmond and a bunch of guys who were late round draft picks still trying to find their way. Not good
^^^
Exactly...
And I dont know whats going to hit the FA mkt at IDL this year.
But it's because of the lack of depth and the contract, why I believe Allen will be here 1 more year.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
No team spent more cash on players in 2025 than the Vikings, so it’s no surprise co-owner Mark Wilf categorized the Vikings’ approach to free agency this year as “supplementing” the team’s draft capital (eight picks before compensatory selections are awarded).
Don’t expect another spending spree. They need to revitalize their young, and cost-controlled, talent pipeline through the draft.
Interim General Manager Rob Brzezinski needs to create salary cap space, more than $40 million just to become compliant with the 2026 cap.
The team’s two elder defensive tackles, Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, are obvious candidates to be restructured, cut or traded. Allen ($23.9 million) and Hargrave ($21.5 million) carry expensive cap charges into next season. Hargrave had strong moments after signing a two-year, $30 million deal last year, but things didn’t always click. His role was inconsistent under coordinator Brian Flores.
Releasing Hargrave, 33, gains the Vikings about $11 million in cap space, according to OverTheCap.com.
Allen, 31, was a more consistent presence, playing a position-high 811 snaps (76%) last season. But cutting him nets about $6.5 million in space.
One of the brightest spots in 2025, Jalen Redmond, is an exclusive rights free agent. The Vikings are expected to offer him the minimum-salary, one-year deal afforded to ERFAs, who are players with fewer than three accrued seasons of experience.
If the Vikings part with Hargrave, Allen, or both, they could be in the market for a starter to join an otherwise young and developing group.
Current roster: Allen, Hargrave, Levi Drake Rodriguez, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Elijah Williams, Taki Taimani, Jaylon Hutchings
Current salary cap allocated: $48.4 million (5th in NFL)
Free agents to watch
David Onyemata (Falcons): There isn’t a big name like Milton Williams on the market this year, but the Vikings have many familiar options available. Ryan Nielsen, their new D-line coach and run game coordinator, once brought Onyemata from New Orleans to Atlanta with him between the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Will Nielsen get him to Minnesota, too? Onyemata is entering his 11th season at 33 years old, but he played some of his best football under Nielsen with the Falcons and Saints. Pro Football Focus still graded Onyemata as a solid run defender last year. The Bills’ DaQuan Jones is another pending free agent who just played for Nielsen, a defensive assistant in Buffalo last season.
John Franklin-Myers (Broncos): Franklin-Myers, a 2018 fourth-round pick by Sean McVay’s Rams, has a strong track record as an NFL pass rusher. He’s had at least seven sacks in each of the past two years for Denver, and has appeared in at least 15 games for six consecutive seasons. Durability and pass-rush production would appear to make him at least a surface-level fit for what Flores wants to do. Franklin-Myers turns 30 in September.
Neville Gallimore (Colts): Did something click last year? Gallimore, a 2020 third-round pick, had modest but career-high production in Indianapolis while making eight starts and playing in all 17 games. Gallimore graded out best by PFF as a pass rusher while playing alongside standout Colts veteran DeForest Buckner. Entering his age-29 season, he’s one of the few noteworthy free agents younger than 30.
Greg Gaines (Buccaneers): Gaines, who turns 30 in May, started all four playoff games, including the Super Bowl, for the 2021 Rams team that had Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell as offensive coordinator. Gaines has appeared in at least 15 games in all four seasons since, but he played his best with Los Angeles during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Other familiar faces on the market include the Saints’ Jonathan Bullard and the Chiefs’ Jerry Tillery, who were starters under Flores in 2024.
STRIB
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
Landon Robinson Pro Day UNOFFICIAL
— Bradley Reisenfeld (@bradareisenfeld) March 5, 2026
Hands 918
Arms 3168
Wing 7728
Height 5112
Weight 293
Had he been invited to combine this is how he would rank.
Bench Press 30 Reps (2nd)
Vertical 32.5 (6th)
Broad Jump 9”2’ (9th)
40 yard 4.8 (3rd)
20 yard shuttle 4.48 (1st)
3 Cone Drill 7.32…
StickierBuns wrote:
Jordan Schultz @Schultz_Report · 12m BREAKING: The #Titans are signing former #Broncos DT John Franklin-Meyers to a 3 year 63M deal with 42M guar, per sources.JFM was a super hot free agent and was a massive part of Denver’s defensive line success - with 14.5 sacks in two years.
I'm hearing Titans are locked in on Love now for draft....They are going to have some nice pieces to play with!
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
Weird that there's a Kaleb Proctor and a Kadyn Proctor in this draft, and they're not at all related. Kadyn is the 1st round OT and Kaleb is a small school DT who's estimated to go in the 4th round.
Kaleb Proctor (6’2 290) out of Southeastern Louisiana is one of my favorite iDL prospects in this class.
— Panthers Pulse (@PanthersPulze) March 16, 2026
His ability to stack and shed OL, while also just beating them across their face with his athleticism is really impressive.pic.twitter.com/KV2UpuOaVv
Caleb Banks broke afoot bone at combine
https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/onsi/news/does-foot-injury-take-star-dt-prospect-off-vikings-board-pick-18
I'm beginning to worry a little bit about our IDL. Hargrave and Allen were busts as free agents. No two ways around that. But they were also 17 game starters for us that now have to be replaced.
Jalen Redmond is an emerging star. And even if we assume Levi Drake-Rodriguez gets one of the other positions, we still need one more, unless we're confident in either Tyrian Ingram-Dawkins or Elijah Williams. They didn't really show enough last year to justify that kind of confidence IMO. Even LDR is no given. He's played well in rotation, but his grades go down as he gets more snaps.
There's nothing left in free agency to speak of (unless you like the names Calais Camptbell or Jonathan Bullard). And there's very little in the draft. As more warts become visible on Woods and Banks, I'm seeing more and more 1st round mocks without a single IDL taken. Can we count on a day-two IDL to come in and start for us right away? Not really. We'd have to get lucky.
What's the plan here?
MaroonBells wrote:
I'm beginning to worry a little bit about our IDL. Hargrave and Allen were busts as free agents. No two ways around that. But they were also 17 game starters for us that now have to be replaced.Jalen Redmond is an emerging star. And even if we assume Levi Drake-Rodriguez gets one of the other positions, we still need one more, unless we're confident in either Tyrian Ingram-Dawkins or Elijah Williams. They didn't really show enough last year to justify that kind of confidence IMO. Even LDR is no given. He's played well in rotation, but his grades go down as he gets more snaps.
There's nothing left in free agency to speak of (unless you like the names Calais Camptbell or Jonathan Bullard). And there's very little in the draft. As more warts become visible on Woods and Banks, I'm seeing more and more 1st round mocks without a single IDL taken. Can we count on a day-two IDL to come in and start for us right away? Not really. We'd have to get lucky.
What's the plan here?
One of my biggest concerns also. I really like Thieneman at 18 to replace Harry. But after that we need to go DT Rd 2 and 1st pick rd 3 a DT also. Try to snag Clairborne with the 2nd 3rd rd pick...
But were going to get steamrolled up the middle if we dont get some meat in there.
MaroonBells wrote:
I'm beginning to worry a little bit about our IDL. Hargrave and Allen were busts as free agents. No two ways around that. But they were also 17 game starters for us that now have to be replaced.Jalen Redmond is an emerging star. And even if we assume Levi Drake-Rodriguez gets one of the other positions, we still need one more, unless we're confident in either Tyrian Ingram-Dawkins or Elijah Williams. They didn't really show enough last year to justify that kind of confidence IMO. Even LDR is no given. He's played well in rotation, but his grades go down as he gets more snaps.
There's nothing left in free agency to speak of (unless you like the names Calais Camptbell or Jonathan Bullard). And there's very little in the draft. As more warts become visible on Woods and Banks, I'm seeing more and more 1st round mocks without a single IDL taken. Can we count on a day-two IDL to come in and start for us right away? Not really. We'd have to get lucky.
What's the plan here?
ITs a BIG concern imo...Medaille raised similar questions in another thread too. At this point it's almost about enough bodies period.
More and more mocks have one IDL with a rd1 grade.
I think they are going to have to re-stock with draft and a trade. It may not get fully resolved for 26 until late in summer..Maybe Greenard for DT is the way this will have to go down.
Sure wish Carter was on the mkt...
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
Here's a guy not many Viking fans are talking about because he's most often listed as an edge. But this is no edge. He could be a 4-3 base end or 3T, or a 3-4 5T or 4i, which is where I get interested.
Kedric Faulk, 6-6, 276 at the combine, but has played 6-6, 285. Ran a 4.73. Is currently ranked 18th on the consensus boards.
Some more info from NFL Draft Buzz.
"Alignment versatility allows defensive coordinators to deploy him from 5-technique, 4i, 3-technique, or even standing up on the edge, creating pre-snap confusion and matchup advantages."
MaroonBells wrote:
Here's a guy not many Viking fans are talking about because he's most often listed as an edge. But this is no edge. He could be a 4-3 base end or 3T, or a 3-4 5T or 4i, which is where I get interested.Kedric Faulk, 6-6, 276 at the combine, but has played 6-6, 285. Ran a 4.73. Is currently ranked 18th on the consensus boards.
Some more info from NFL Draft Buzz.
"Alignment versatility allows defensive coordinators to deploy him from 5-technique, 4i, 3-technique, or even standing up on the edge, creating pre-snap confusion and matchup advantages."
Ragatz picked him in his latest mock.
This is pretty good draft, just needs Haynes King in the sixth. :)
https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/onsi/news/vikings-7-round-mock-draft-violent-defenders-electric-playmakers?page_source=v_recirc
savannahskol wrote:
Ragatz picked him in his latest mock.
This is pretty good draft, just needs Haynes King in the sixth. :)
https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/onsi/news/vikings-7-round-mock-draft-violent-defenders-electric-playmakers?page_source=v_recirc
I'd like to see us find an athletic TE in this draft....
This mock waits way too long to acquire a S.
Faulk is an interesting pick, probably wouldnt help much Yr1 though. I think I'd rather go Thieneman Rd1 if he was there.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
savannahskol wrote:
Ragatz picked him in his latest mock.
This is pretty good draft, just needs Haynes King in the sixth. :)
https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/onsi/news/vikings-7-round-mock-draft-violent-defenders-electric-playmakers?page_source=v_recirc
Interesting. I can see the fit. But I agree with PF. He takes too long to take a safety. I like the players he takes though, particularly Slaughter and Johnson in rounds 3 and 4. Emmett dances a little too much, but if you can coach that out of him, he's a great fit for us.
There have been 26 teams that have reached out to free agent DT Christian Wilkins, per @AdamSchefter. Something to note that the #Vikings had interest in signing him during free agency back in 2024. He also spent time with Brian Flores in Miami. pic.twitter.com/Cll9XaK6hR
— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) March 20, 2026
Former Iowa State DT Domonique Orange, who suffered a quad strain early in the pre-draft training process, will work out for NFL scouts April 7 on campus.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 22, 2026
“Big Citrus” is 6-4, 325 and was a mainstay on @BruceFeldmanCFB’s Freaks List. He’ll test at 100%.
pic.twitter.com/mbuHtpXTxP
The Vikings just make too much damn sense as the team to give Christian Wilkins a prove-it contract.
— Dustin Baker (@DustBaker) March 23, 2026
— Brian Flores's first draft pick in MIA? Wilkins.
— Vikings just released 2 of their starting DTs.
— High-upside, low-risk on a skinny MIN budget. pic.twitter.com/sRAusEF5C1
I was higher on him last year then now...
But man, we need IDL bodies.
For some reason I thought he's been in the league longer than he has:
2024 (LV): 17 Tackles, 2 Sacks (Through early season)
2023 (MIA): 65 Tackles, 9.0 Sacks, 1 Forced Fumble
2022 (MIA): 98 Tackles, 3.5 Sacks, 2 Forced Fumbles
2021 (MIA): 89 Tackles, 4.0 Sacks, 1 Forced Fumble
2020 (MIA): 47 Tackles, 1.5 Sacks, 1 Forced Fumble
2019 (MIA): 56 Tackles, 2.0 Sacks (Rookie Season)
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
purplefaithful wrote:
I was higher on him last year then now... But man, we need IDL bodies.For some reason I thought he's been in the league longer than he has:
2024 (LV): 17 Tackles, 2 Sacks (Through early season)
2023 (MIA): 65 Tackles, 9.0 Sacks, 1 Forced Fumble
2022 (MIA): 98 Tackles, 3.5 Sacks, 2 Forced Fumbles
2021 (MIA): 89 Tackles, 4.0 Sacks, 1 Forced Fumble
2020 (MIA): 47 Tackles, 1.5 Sacks, 1 Forced Fumble
2019 (MIA): 56 Tackles, 2.0 Sacks (Rookie Season)
Same. He's another year older, but it's a lot like the Murray signing. The cost vs. potential benefit math is intriguing. If the Vikings do sign him, we would then have three of the players drafted in the top 13 that year in Kyler, TJH and Wilkins. Daniel Jones was in that group too.
It's not really saying much, but Gracen Halton might be the best pass rushing DT in this class.
Gracen Halton being explosive pic.twitter.com/4xjwyI2TxS
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) March 14, 2026
🎥Film Breakdown🎥
— Chris Cooper (@ChrisCooper_NFL) March 3, 2026
Gracen Halton, DT - Oklahoma
6’3 | 193
-40-Yard Dash: 4.82s
-10-Yard Split: 1.70s
-Vertical Jump: 36.5”
-Broad Jump: 9’6”
-3-Cone Drill: 8.09s
-20-Yard Shuttle: 4.79s
30 pressures and 3.5 sacks in 2025 earning 2nd team All-SEC. pic.twitter.com/f2z8atryeC
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