As we motor on towards the draft, it appears that there likely will not be any further free agent signings until after the draft unless they are for the minimum. There might be a contract extension for O’Neill but I thought that was going to be last year. Could the team just leave his contract as is and try to find another right tackle in this draft or next year?
The Greenard situation is interesting and provides for some conversation but ultimately, I think the team needs to hang onto him despite
the snap count allocations. Having three good edge rushers is a need due to injury possibilities. They should simply give him a new deal by tearing up his current deal. Yeah, it is early and he has only played one full season in his career. Also, 2025 did not produce many sacks but his pressure numbers were elite. His 18.1% pressure rate in 2025 was an increase over his 2024 breakout (15.9%). This ranked 7th in the NFL among all edge defenders, placing him just behind elite players like Micah Parsons and Myles Garrett. His pass rush win rate of 16.6% also saw an uptick from his 2024 season (15.2%), indicating he was beating his blockers even more consistently, even if it wasn’t always resulting in a sack. His Quick Pressure % (getting to the QB within 2.5 seconds) jumped from 5.4% in 2024 to 8.2% in 2025, placing him in the top 10 for that category. He finished the regular season with 47 total pressures (8 hits, 35 hurries, and 4 sacks/half-sacks per PFF) despite playing only 12 games. His total pressures were higher than those of T.J. Watt (who also missed time) and nearly equaled full-season totals from stars like Brian Burns, Montez Sweat, and DeMarcus Lawrence. In his healthy 2024 season, he finished with 80 total pressures, ranking 3rd in the NFL behind only Myles Garrett and Trey Hendrickson.
Hendrickson just signed a 4 yr 112M deal at age 31. If I was GM, and be thankful I am not, I would give Greenard a 3 yr 82.5M deal by basically redoing his current deal. I would add one more void year taking it out to 2030 (he already has 2029 as a void year). He’d get a 25M signing bonus, an 8M option bonus in 2027, and salaries of 1.3M in 2026, 20M in 2027, and 28.2M in 2028. His cap hitts would be 9.6M in 2026, 30.3M in 2027, and 38.5M in 2028. This would save 12.55M in immediate cap space while increasing his 2027 cap it by 8M.
The Vikings will also get 12.5M in post June 1 cap savings from the Jonathan Allen and Harrison Smith releases. If they do not spend any more in free agency (doubtful but maybe probable) they could carry over about 25M to 2027.
The 2027 currently sits at 67M (for 33 players) according to overthecap but it really is 50.7M in effective cap space since you have to have at least 53 players on the roster. If you remove the JG extra then it goes down to 59M in cap space and 42.7 in effective cap space. We can also add in the cap credits for Allen and Hargrave signing elsewhere. Those add up to 12M in additonal cap space for 2027 taking the total to 71M in cap space and 54.7M in effective cap space. This does not include any 2026 carry over either. I think the team will pick up the 5th year option on Addison at the very least so that will lower the cap space around 18 to 23M. The team will still be in good shape in 2027 as of right now.
Yeah, I think the Vikings should keep Greenard unless a team offers a 2nd round pick plus a later 5th round pick.
Minnesota Vikings News and Links
Vikings Doubt 1st Rd Pick Can Handle Bigger Role
On the other side of the field, the coaching staff has been much more reluctant to throw Turner to the NFL wolves. While Dallas has found the field in 33 of the MN Vikings’ 34 games since being drafted, he’s started just 10. And those starts came to fruition because of Jonathan Greenard or Andrew Van Ginkel injuries.
With that being said, if you were hoping this would be the year we see Dallas Turner take giant leap in his development that we’ve all been waiting for… local insider Darren Wolfson (KSTP) has some bad news for you.
On a recent episode of Purple Daily (SKOR North), Wolfson reports that the MN Vikings still do not seem comfortable giving Turner a more significant role than the one he already has.
“I don’t think the Vikings are ready for Dallas Turner — even though you look at the last half of last year, [I know] there’s a sense that Dallas Turner is ready to ascend even more — but I’m not sure, internally, they are ready for Dallas Turner to play 55 to 62-ish snaps in a game. And who else do [they] have?
Now, I suppose if you trade Greenard, okay, Dallas ascends up, he’ll play that much more. You can go sign a street free agent — there’s still some guys available — or use a draft pick on somebody that can rush the quarterback from the edge.
But I just I don’t think they’re ready for Dallas to have like a significantly bigger role. I’m getting into semantics, right? Because is he going to have a bigger role in 26? Yes. I’m not suggesting otherwise, but a much bigger role? I’m not sure they’re ready for that.”
Darren Wolfson – Purple Daily (SKOR North)
What has Turner shown (or not shown) the Vikings?
Obviously, Minnesota’s lack of confidence in their 23-year-old former Alabama phenom is one of many reasons why the Vikings are so hesitant to trade Greenard, who apparently wants more money than what anybody in the league is apparently willing to pay him.
In his 33 NFL games played (1,012 defensive snaps), Turner has collected 11 sacks, 86 tackles, 14 TFL, 4 forced fumbles and 1 interception. He’s also managed 8 QB hits and 54 total QB hurries. While it’s difficult to judge on standard stats, his 65.5 (2025) and 64.1 (2024) PFF grades the past two seasons don’t help either.
Why the Vikings Can Afford to Wait on a Jonathan Greenard Trade
At the end of the day, Greenard is under contract for two more seasons. With a base salary of $18.39 million in 2026 and 2027, Greenard is being paid below his market value. Look no further than the deals edge rushers Jaelen Phillips and Oteh Oweh signed earlier this month.
Phillips signed a four-year, $120 million deal with the Panthers, which included $80 million guaranteed and a $60 million signing bonus. His base salary will peak at $28.75 million in 2028 and 2029. Oweh signed a four-year, $96 million contract with the Commanders, including $68 million guaranteed. His base salary will peak at $21.3 million.
Greenard is arguably better than both of them. Minnesota, already in a cap crunch, may find it difficult to pay him bigger money when they have Dallas Turner waiting to take on a bigger role in the defense. Greenard’s best chance to get paid what he deserves very well may be elsewhere, but the Vikings don’t need to rush to a trade.
The NFL Draft could spur conversation, but how many teams are going to come calling? According to Alec Lewis, the Eagles and Colts “could” be interested, but the Colts may be unwilling to part with a second-round pick when they already traded first-round picks in 2026 and 2027 to the Jets for cornerback Sauce Gardner. The Eagles have draft capital, but are they going to pay Greenard when they opted to let Phillips leave as a free agent?
As Lewis reported Thursday, citing a high-ranking NFL executive, Greenard’s contract situation is “the central hurdle” in a trade. That’s why it might make more sense for the Greenard market to heat up later in the offseason, or perhaps as late as training camp or the preseason.
Vikings Get Compelling Trade Idea Involving Jonathan Greenard
As for a potential landing spot for Greenard, On SI’s Donnie Druin believes the Arizona Cardinals would be a fit, and a trade involving the Cardinals‘ 2026 third- and 2027 fifth-round picks for Greenard should be enough to get a deal done.
“The Cardinals are in desperate search of a suitable running mate next to Josh Sweat, and after striking out in free agency, the trade market could pay dividends here,” Druin wrote in his March 26 article.
“Greenard, one of the more underrated pass rushers in the league, moves into the next stage of the offseason still labeled as a trade candidate as Minnesota could look to move off his four-year, $76 million contract — which is nearly identical to what Sweat signed with Arizona last offseason.
“Though his sack production took a steep hit from the 12 he had in 2024, his pressure numbers (18%) and pass rush win rate (16%) improved. Greenard wouldn’t be found for pennies on the dollar, though the almost 29-year-old is likely the best pass rusher available on the market.”
Amid Greenard being in the speculation rumor mill, The Athletic’s Alec Lewis shared an update on the situation as the draft nears and whether a trade is on the horizon for Greenard.
“Conversations between teams tend to evolve around the draft,” Lewis wrote in his March 26 article. “By then, teams have a deeper understanding of who might be available at their pick. That knowledge can inform how teams approach negotiations. If no team meets the Vikings’ asking price, they could proceed into the summer and fall with training camp and the start of the season as dates that typically foster resolution.
“The Vikings know they have a budding edge rusher in Dallas Turner waiting in the wings. They could also add more depth at the position with their nine picks in late April.
“Neither makes it likely that the Vikings part with Greenard for anything less than a significant return. Anything other than a Day 2 pick would presumably be a non-starter. But the precise ask depends on a multitude of factors like player availability, pick swaps and the willingness of opposing teams to part with future picks.”
Vikings’ T.J. Hockenson Pegged With Dreaded Label After New NFL Contract
When tasked with choosing the most-overpaid player for every NFL team, Gagnon picked tight end T.J. Hockenson for Minnesota.
“The Vikings are loaded with strong candidates including Justin Jefferson, Jonathan Greenard and Will Fries, but at this point Hockenson has to be considered one of the most overpaid players in the league,” Gagnon wrote. “The former star has scored just three touchdowns since the start of 2024 and has fallen short of 500 yards in each of the last two seasons.
“Even after a recent restructure, his $15.6 million 2026 cap hit leads all tight ends.”
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With the contract adjustment, it appears Hockenson will be able to finish his deal with the Vikings. He will become an unrestricted free agent in 2027.
Even with the lower cap number, Hockenson will have the highest cap hit for any tight end in the league this fall. Atlanta Falcons‘ Kyle Pitts is the only other tight end who has a cap hit above $15 million.
Vikings Land Compelling Message After Losing Jalen Nailor
Nonetheless, one player who is offering his services to fill that WR3 role is a familiar name to the Vikings: K.J. Osborn.
“You can’t help but look at Minnesota,” he said on the March 26 edition of “Caps Off Podcast.” “With Kyler Murray going back. Jalen Nailor, I’m so happy for him. Speedy, congrats bro, my guy, he just got 3 (years) for $35 (million) from the Raiders. So that spot (WR3) is back open. Just looking around. But home is where the heart is. So we’ll see.”
Interest Not Mutual Between MN Vikings and Star Free Agent
In fact, when SKOR North’s Phil Mackey brought up DeAndre Hopkins interest in the Vikings on Thursday’s episode of Purple Daily, local insider Darren “Doogie” Wolfson (KSTP) literally laughed at him before he could finish his question.
When Mackey did finish asking about Hopkins, Wolfson made it clear the MN Vikings are NOT interested in signing Murray’s former favorite target… even a little bit.
Mackey: “Do you think, you know DeAndre Hopkins was at LAX and told TMZ that he open to a conversation with the Vikings. Do do you think they would ever go in that direction for for WR3 DeAndre Hopkins?”
Wolfson: “I don’t not right now, no. No.
I mean, I do think they bring in some sort of veteran receiver, but I just wonder if it’s somebody that has some special teams flexibility — like a [Trent] Sherfield type, somebody that maybe isn’t even a designated WR3.”
Purple Daily – SKOR North
Doogie essentially goes on to tell the SKOR North crew that those making decisions at TCO Performance Center do not seem overly interested in signing another wide receiver with name recognition, which would fit the narrative of their offseason to this point.
Chase Edmonds Makes Three Bold Predictions for Vikings’ Kyler Murray
Chase Edmonds is the latest to offer a positive review about Murray’s move to Minnesota. The running back, who played alongside the quarterback with the Arizona Cardinals, made three bold predictions for 2026, believing there’s a lot the Vikings can achieve with the quarterback.
“I think they have the best overall coaching staff in the NFL with K.O.C. and Brian Flores,” Edmond said in an exclusive interview with Casino Guru. “There is no better coaching staff. They are going to be as prepared as anybody week in and week out in the NFL.
“I think they can win the NFC North, and I’m going to be real. I think Kyler Murray is going to win Comeback Player of the Year. I think he gets back to the Pro Bowl. I think he really reminds people of just how talented he is.”
The Vikings are using the veteran salary benefit for Hekker’s contract, according to The Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling. He will have the following:
$1,487,500 cash value
$1.3 million base salary
$187,500 signing bonus
$1.3 million salary cap hit
Mock Drafts Keep Sending the Vikings Dillon Thieneman. Do We Buy It?
If you click on a recent 2026 NFL mock draft from a national analyst and scroll down to No. 18 to check out their projected pick for the Minnesota Vikings, there’s a good chance you’ll see the name Dillon Thieneman. The standout safety from Oregon is the overwhelming consensus favorite to be the Vikings’ selection in the first round of next month’s draft.
He’s the pick in the latest mock from NFL.com’s Charles Davis, whose blurb of analysis is just nine words that sum up the reason why it’s such a popular player-to-team match: “The Vikings find the perfect replacement for Harrison Smith.” With Smith expected to retire (though he still seems to be considering playing a 15th season), the Vikings need a safety. Thieneman is a great player expected to come off the board around where the Vikings are picking. It makes sense.
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There’s also the broader question of positional value. Kyle Hamilton is the only safety taken in the top 18 picks in the last seven years, though Downs is a lock to join him this year. There are 13 players in that club since 2010. The hit rate is pretty solid, but there’s also a reason why safeties don’t go that high particularly often. Positional value isn’t a reason for the Vikings to pass on Thieneman or McNeil-Warren if they believe they’re going to be great in the NFL, but it’s at least something to consider
The Vikings having a need at safety doesn’t mean they have to go that route in the first round. They could take a corner or a defensive tackle or any number of other positions with their first pick, then add a safety with one of their three selections on Day 2. Some of the safeties who could be fits in the 50-100 range include LSU’s A.J. Haulcy, Arizona’s Treydan Stukes and Genesis Smith, USC’s Kamari Ramsey, Penn State’s Zakee Wheatley, and TCU’s Bud Clark.
Is Ted Hurst Climbing Into ‘Can’t-Pass-on-Him’ Territory for the Vikings?
Ted Hurst is rapidly evolving from a draft-day secret to a household name. The 6-foot-4 wide receiver from Georgia State has reportedly received one of Minnesota’s 30 official invitations for the annual pre-draft, top-30 visits at TCO Performance Center in Eagan.
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“I think he’s one of the most intriguing wide receiver prospects in this class. Size, speed, stride length. That’s his profile. Obviously, there will be questions about the level of competition, but you’re talking about a long, dynamic receiver. He was a weapon at all three levels of the defense,” Cosell said on the Ross Tucker Podcast.
Hurst put up solid numbers—127 catches for 1,965 yards and 15 touchdowns—in two seasons at Georgia State, doing so as the Panthers went a combined 4-19, routinely getting pummeled by superior competition, both inside and outside of the Sun Belt Conference. But, according to Cosell, the game tape doesn’t lie.
“Look, what I also say about players like this: If he showed the same traits profile with this kind of production in a Power 4 conference, we’d be talking about him as a first-round pick, without question,” Cosell said. “He had a few too many drops. That needs to be cleaned up. But he also caught the ball very easily on the move, seamlessly transitioning to run after catch. This guy, to me, has the size and length and traits profile to develop into a boundary X at the next level.”
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Hurst’s Relative Athletic Score (RAS) at the NFL Scouting Combine was extremely impressive, ranking 38th out of 4,017 wide receivers over the last 40 years. He received “great” scores for size, explosion, and speed.
A great RAS score doesn’t always translate to NFL success. For example, the former college stars whose RAS scores were similar to Hurst’s include Tyrell Williams (Western Oregon, 2015), Zay Jones (East Carolina, 2017), and Denzel Mims (Baylor, 2020).
Which NFL Draft Running Back Prospects Are the Vikings Meeting With?
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Yore Mock
Draft Results from Mock Draft Hero
Pre-Draft Rankings: Pro Football Focus
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Trade Partner: Cowboys
Sent : PICK 18
Received: PICK 20, 112
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Trade Partner: Steelers
Sent : PICK 20
Received: PICK 21, 135
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PICK 21. Kayden McDonald (DI, Ohio State) 6’3″ 326
PICK 49. Emmanuel Pregnon (G/C, Oregon) 6’4 1/4″ 314
PICK 82. Ted Hurst (WR, Georgia State) 6’3 7/8″ 206
PICK 97. Jason Kilgore (S, South Carolina) 6’1 3/8″ 210
PICk 112. Jonah Coleman (RB, Washington) 5’8 1/8″ 222
PICK 135. Harold Perkins (LB, LSU) 6’0 5/8″ 223
PICK 163. Charles Demmings (CB, Stephen F. Austin) 6’1″ 193
PICK 196. VJ Payne (S, Kansas State) 6’3″ 200
PICK 234. Mason Reiger (EDGE, Wisconsin) 6’4 5/8″ 251
PICK 235. Jordan Van Den Berg (DI, Georgia Tech) 6′ 3″ 295
PICK 244. Tristan Leigh (OT, Clemon) 6’5″ 312
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UDFA
Max Bredeson FB Michigan 6’2″ 245
Kayden Wetjen WR Iowa 5’10” 195
Haynes King QB GA Tech 6’3″ 205
Xavier Nwankpa S Iowa 6’2 1/2″ 210
Jayden Dugger LB Louisiana 6’3″ 215
Andre Fuller CB GA Southern 6’0″ 190
Rahsul Faison RB Utah State 5’11” 212
I am going to have to stick with the fatty in the first round. I just do not see waiting or relying on an older player at this point. Pregnon is interesting because the Vikings met with him and while that is curious, they may be sneaky like a fox. some tidbits about Pregon …
1. The “Athletic Freak” Upside
Pregnon’s Combine performance—specifically his 35″ vertical jump (a record for guards) and a 9.42 RAS score—puts him in a rare tier of athletes. Teams often believe that a player with this level of explosive power and lateral quickness can overcome technical learning curves at a new position more easily than a less-athletic specialist.
2. Guard-to-Center Conversion Precedents
Conversion isn’t as rare as it seems. Many successful NFL centers, like Frank Ragnow or Cameron Jurgens, were drafted primarily as guards or were “project” converts due to their size and mobility. Pregnon’s build and strength (314 lbs with a massive 82″ wingspan) fit the modern “power-center” mold.
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The rest of the picks are some players the team has met with.
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