Accordingly, evidence suggests building a team that’s capable of raising the Lombardi Trophy can and really should be done via both channels — i.e. the spectacle that is the NFL Draft and the open market.
The latter has been especially fundamental to Minnesota’s M.O. the past two seasons, in which the Vikings have acquired the likes of outside linebackers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel and linebacker Blake Cashman, in addition to running back Aaron Jones, Sr., and cornerback Isaiah Rodgers.
Over the next handful of weeks, teams including the Vikings will be vetting potential free agents who may hit the market, while balancing decisions with the positional depth of the 2026 draft class in mind.
As you digest all that, here’s a rundown of the Top 100 impending unrestricted free agents determined by Greg Auman of FOX Sports. Disclaimer: Minnesota has 14 players headed for unrestricted free agency — not to mention five more set to be restricted or exclusive rights free agents — but none made the cut.
Auman’s Top 10 are Cowboys WR George Pickens, Colts QB Daniel Jones, Jaguars LB Devin Lloyd, Bengals EDGE Trey Hendrickson, Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum, Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III, Chargers EDGE Odafe Oweh, Colts WR Alec Pierce, Packers backup QB Malik Willis and Eagles EDGE Jaelan Phillips.
In case anyone is wondering, we counted the positions to gain a better feel for the range of what’s out there. The deepest groups in Auman’s eyes are edge rusher (15 players), offensive line (14; half are guards) and safety (12). There are also double-digit cornerbacks (11), off-ball linebackers (10) and wide receivers (10). The thinnest two, non-specialist position crops are interior d-line (6) and quarterback (6).
Since Head Coach Kevin O’Connell wants a competitive QB room, we’ll note the FA options laid out in Auman’s Top 100, with their rank and age at the start of next season: Jones (No. 2; 29 years old), Willis (9; 27), Aaron Rodgers (12; 42), Russell Wilson (71; 37), Marcus Mariota (72; 32) and Joe Flacco (98; 41).
Auman included Vikings LB Ivan Pace, Jr., as his seventh-best restricted free agent in a bonus list of 10.
