Vikings Will be Involved in Bidding War for Top Free Agent Guard

The headlines early this offseason for the Minnesota Vikings have been mostly swirling around their impending tag and trade decision with Sam Darnold. Beyond quarterback though, there are a lot of other needs on this roster that must be addressed between now and the first couple days of free agency, which begins on March 12.

The trenches (specifically iDL and iOL) on both sides of the football were a notable weakness in 2024 and there are ample options to look at this offseason, both on the free agent market and in the 2025 NFL Draft class.

Earlier today, Vikings insider Alec Lewis wrote a feature piece at The Athletic, fresh off a bunch of knowledge he gained at the NFL Combine last week. He expects general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to be ultra aggressive in the defensive tackle and offensive guard markets.

Related: Vikings Targeting Top Defensive Tackles in Free Agency and Both Get After QBs

Will Fries is the Minnesota Vikings guard of choice

When the best pending free agent guard Trey Smith — who Lewis reports met with the Vikings at the combine — was franchise tagged by the Chiefs last week, the Minnesota Vikings were prepared to shift their focus to other top talents. Specifically, the local beat writer reports big time interest in Indianapolis Colts guard Will Fries, who ranks as the No. 1 guard on the market this offseason, according to The Athletic.

Headlining the list is Indianapolis Colts guard Will Fries. He fits the Vikings’ preferred free-agent benchmarks in that he’s young, versatile and productive. How his right tibia fracture affects his market remains to be seen, but the Vikings will likely be bidding against multiple teams, including the NFC North-rival Chicago Bears.

Moving defenders on run plays in the red zone has been another consistent issue. Position a player like Fries alongside left tackle Christian Darrisaw or right tackle Brian O’Neill, and the Vikings would be giving themselves a better chance.

The Athletic

Fries is a former seventh round pick and is hitting free agency for the first time in his career. He fractured his tibia during Week 5 of the 2024 season and underwent surgery to repair the injury. There shouldn’t be lingering effects that disrupt his 2025 timeline, but teams will certainly pour over his medicals.

The Will Fries market and why the Vikings are interested

The market for Fries, even coming off injury, should be robust. As Lewis mentions in his piece, the Chicago Bears are a division rival, and they too have a major need there, as well. The Bears are a viable threat, too. They are just one of a few teams with more cap space ($79M) than the Vikings ($63M).

Related: Vikings Targeting Top Defensive Tackles in Free Agency and Both Get After QBs

Will Fries’ injury came at the worst possible time, just as he was rising to “elite” status last season, in the final year of the soon-to-be 27-year-old’s rookie contract with the Colts. After failing to post an overall PFF grade higher than 62.0 through his first three NFL seasons, Fries’ grade skyrocketed to 86.9 during the five games he played in 2024.

Every week Will Fries is finishing blocks and pissing opponents off. Draws a punch from Sweat! One of the best finishers in the league. pic.twitter.com/q4RzbzFucv

— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) September 23, 2024

If the Vikings can add a player like Fries, they should feel a lot better about the chance that both J.J. McCarthy and running game will have to be successful. Better guard play could bolster Garrett Bradbury at center, and the ability to move opposing defenders simply wasn’t there last season.

MN Vikings can’t miss on offensive guard upgrades

The Colts have moved Fries around the line as well. In his rookie appearances he operated solely as a tackle before moving to right guard the second year. He has played both sides of the offensive line and should give the Vikings a strong amount of utility next to either of their talented bookends.

It’s clear that Minnesota had hesitations about bringing back Dalton Risner last year. He graded out well in the passing game but struggled to open up holes on the ground. He didn’t start when immediately healthy, and the same problems persisted.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Zeroing in on Daniel Jones…?

The Minnesota Vikings did get a career-best year out of Aaron Jones as he ran for 1,138 yards. However, it was notable how often the running game was stuffed near the goal line, and how few games there were large gaps to generate chunk plays.

Whether the Vikings go all in on Fries or someone else, the guard spot can’t be overlooked. Minnesota has established strong tackles, and even extended Christian Darrisaw before his injury last season. The possibility of a strong line can no longer be wasted by lackluster play on the interior.