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Vikings Plan to Go ‘All-In’ on Top DL in 2025; 3 Potential Solutions
By Andrew Buller-Russ,
6 hours ago
Even after making Christian Darrisaw the highest-paid left tackle in the NFL, the Minnesota Vikings will have over $50 million in cap space next offseason. This is the benefit of having a young quarterback on a rookie contract.
With the Vikings’ cornerstones locked in, it’s time to consider how they’ll spend some of their cap space next offseason. One glaring weakness is along the defensive line, where Harrison Phillips is arguably the only above-average player in Minnesota’s trenches. He’ll be a free agent after this season.
As KSTP’s Darren Wolfson indicated, the Vikings are prepared to be big spenders next offseason when free agency rolls around. The specific focus will be on strengthening the defensive trenches.
“The Vikings still will have a ton of cap space next March. So keep an eye on that. The Vikings, I’m telling you, like whether it’s Kenny Clark, some other premier interior defensive linemen, like you look at an obvious need next March, the Vikings will be all in in that regard. Heck, they were all in on Christian Wilkins. He just happened to choose the Raiders instead of the Vikings.”
Despite previously being mentioned as a potential Vikings target , we can scratch Kenny Clark’s name off the list. He just signed a three-year, $64 million extension with the Green Bay Packers. But who else could the Vikings target? Here’s a list of three potential DL solutions during next offseason’s free agency.
While the idea of solving the Vikings’ defensive needs via free agency sounds like a perfect plan. In reality, it could be much tougher than some expect. There isn’t a Christian Wilkins-level talent set to hit the open market next offseason. While any of the upcoming free agents could always take a leap this season, let’s take a look at some of the best players projected to be available in the 2025 NFL free agency class.
Alim McNeill, Detroit Lions
What’s better than stealing from a division rival? According to Pro Football Focus, Alim McNeill was the seventh-best interior defender during the 2023 season. The Vikings would take that in a heartbeat. At 6-foot-2, 315 pounds, he’d become the new Vikings nose tackle.
One factor that’s impressive about McNeill is that he’s equally as good at stopping the run as he is at penetrating the pocket. He’ll also be just 25 years old next offseason, providing an excellent young piece to add to any defense, but he sure would look good in purple.
Osa Odighizuwa, Dallas Cowboys
Another underrated 2025 free agent is Osa Odighizuwa. While the Lions may look to sign McNeill to a contract extension, the Cowboys could have a rough salary cap situation, and they still need to pay Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb. This could allow the 26-year-old (in 2025) to test free agency, where he’ll see that the Vikings are ready to spend big bucks.
As you can see above, Odighizuwa is much better at creating pressure than he is at stopping the run. This means he’s not a fit at nose tackle, but he could fill one of the other two open defensive line starting positions. The Vikings could use someone who can generate pressure in the trenches, and the former third-round pick is one of the best. (14th-best pass rush grade in 2023).
The last player on our list needs no introduction. The lifetime Steeler and son of Craig ‘Iron Head’ Heyward has made six Pro Bowl appearances and has three All-Pro honors to his name. He’ll turn 36 next year, but being that he’s been very vocal about wanting a contract extension, he’s not thinking about retirement any time soon.
Surprisingly, he’s very open to leaving the Steelers despite spending 13 seasons in Pittsburgh.
“I’m not gonna get my hopes up either way. If they believe in me and think I can play more, so be it, but if they don’t, I’ll go somewhere else.”
That sounds like someone eager to play football for at least another season, if not longer. However, there may be a reason why Pittsburgh has been hesitant to shell out another extension. He was limited to just 11 games last season, and PFF didn’t give him a great grade, at least not compared to his previous standards.
However, Heyward is familiar with Brian Flores, who spent the 2022 season on Pittsburgh’s coaching staff. That could work in Minnesota’s favor, especially if the Vikings show they have a quarterback capable of competing. Heyward still doesn’t have a Super Bowl ring, so he’s expected to prioritize playing for a contender. Yet, he’ll have to prove he’s back to his elite self later this season for him to solve Minnesota’s needs.
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