March 5, 2025
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Vikings cut DL Jalen Redmond - NBC Sports

1 free agent who can help fill Minnesota Vikings’ biggest offseason need
Vikings are hoping to make a key free agent acquisition on the defensive line

Vikings cut DL Jalen Redmond - NBC Sports

The Minnesota Vikings have multiple areas of need in the 2025 offseason. The offensive line has holes on the interior. The defensive line struggled to get decent penetration from the defensive tackle positions. The secondary has had holes for several years, and while there has been some improvement in 2023 and ’24, the Vikings could still use an upgrade in personnel.

Vikings cut DL Jalen Redmond - NBC Sports

If we wanted to nitpick, they could also help themselves by doing a better job in the return game. Their coverage units are decent, but the Vikings have not had a threatening returner in several years.

Vikings cut DL Jalen Redmond - NBC Sports

However, the belief here is that one key free-agent signing could help most on the interior defensive front. The offensive line is weak at both guard spots and at center. They need more than one free agent such as Will Fries of the Indianapolis Colts to fix this area. However, one game-changing player at defensive tackle could turn defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ solid unit into a devastating one.

Vikings cut DL Jalen Redmond - NBC Sports

The Vikings defense has made excellent strides under Flores. He was hired after the 2022 season when the Vikings ranked 31st in yards allowed. The team showed notable improvement in 2023 as the Vikings improved to 16th in yards allowed and tied for 13th in points allowed.

Vikings cut DL Jalen Redmond - NBC Sports

Flores orchestrated further improvement last season as the Vikings ranked 5th in points allowed, giving up an average of 19.5 per game. The Vikings maintained their position in yards allowed, ranking 16th once again. However, they were in the top 10 for much of the season before growing a bit more generous in the final weeks of the season.

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