The NFL Draft has a solid amount of both offensive guard and defensive tackle talent as well. No matter where they come from, there are more than a few that should be available on the open market. Unfortunately, one of the top options that Minnesota could have engaged with is no longer going to be a possibility.

Trey Smith won’t be a Minnesota Vikings option

After the Kansas City Chiefs played in the Super Bowl, there was a realistic belief that star offensive guard Trey Smith would hit the open market. That is no longer a reality, as he has been franchise tagged.

The #Chiefs are planning to franchise tag star guard Trey Smith, sources say. An intriguing move, as KC keeps one of its best players for $23.4M on a 1-year, fully guaranteed deal. pic.twitter.com/IOnctKg7WE

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 27, 2025

A former sixth round pick, Smith has developed into one of the best guards across the entire NFL. He was set to hit free agency this offseason, but the Chiefs are going to pay him $23.4 million instead.

It was always expected that Smith’s free agent market would be robust, and probably set the market. He will be just 26 years old next year and has started all 67 games he has played throughout his career. Smith has done an exceptional job keeping legendary quarterback Patrick Mahomes clean, and he has also opened running lanes for Andy Reid’s run offense.

This is a perfect representation of a 'big boy block' from Trey Smith 1v1 vs. Travis Jones getting vertical displacement. Two of the strongest interior linemen in the league. Had to slow this one down. pic.twitter.com/wQA9JTuNsh

— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) September 6, 2024

Had he hit the open market, Smith would have been in line for a multi-year deal and had teams bidding his services higher and higher. Kansas City thwarts that possibility now, and they aren’t tagging him with any sort of an idea that he should be traded. Which the Minnesota Vikings are trying to do, with Sam Darnold.

Related: New Perfect Fit Trade Targets Come Available for Vikings

It remains possible, and probably desirable for Kansas City, that the Chiefs would extend Smith on a multi-year deal. They can spread out his cap hit and allow for the compensation to be split across additional years going forward. As a late round pick, Smith was in line for free agency after just four years, rather than five as higher picks are.

Where the Minnesota Vikings go for guard help now has yet to be determined. The only certainty is that Smith won’t be part of their offseason shopping haul.

Yet, he also needs to upgrade the roster in hopes of helping coach Kevin O’Connell win his first playoff game next season. The good news is that the Vikings are set to have some of the most cap space in the NFL, with roughly over $60 million to spend.

2025 NFL free agency fits – Minnesota Vikings

That means if Sam Darnold doesn’t return, the Vikings can potentially add several high-profile free agents this offseason. So, which Vikings free agency targets should be on the radar this offseason? Here’s a quick list of five Vikings free agent targets the front office could consider.

D.J. Reed, cornerback

Known as the New York Jets cornerback who plays opposite Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed has received positive grades all seven seasons of his career. Though, like many other Jets players, Reed took a step back this past season, grading as the 47th-best cornerback in the NFL per Pro Football Focus.

Related: Odds for 2025 Minnesota Vikings Starting QB Bring More Questions Than Answers

This is well below where he ranked last season, coming in as the 23rd-best CB in football. That’s more in line with where Reed has graded throughout his career. He may not be a shutdown, No. 1 corner, but he can be a high-end No. 2 option for years to come.

Top 32 CBs ranked using PFFs new advanced coverage grade

Cov Grade = Advanced Coverage Grade
Run Grade = Run Defense Grade
Rush Grade = Pass Rush Grade pic.twitter.com/YB13BCUgi9

— Stat Acccount (@AcccountStat) December 27, 2024

Considering the Vikings’ only cornerbacks under contract for next season are Mekhi Blackmon, NaJee Thompson, and Dwight McGlothern (the trio combined to play 19 snaps in 2024), Minnesota needs as much help as it can get. Sure, there are potential in-house solutions, such as re-signing Byron Murphy and/or Stephon Gilmore.

Yet, even if this position is addressed during the 2025 NFL Draft, the Vikings will need more experience too. That’s where a veteran like Reed or the two players below could help next season.

• Other Vikings free agency cornerback targets: Charvarius Ward, Carlton Davis

Darius Slayton, wide receiver

While receiver is far from the Vikings’ biggest needs this offseason, a case could be made that they need more consistent production out of their No. 3 wideout. Jalen Nailor has flashed potential, and his speed makes him a threat, but he had the NFL’s 12th-highest drop rate among receivers who saw 40 or more targets.

Meanwhile, adding a veteran could provide KOC’s offense a significant boost. There are always several capable receivers available, both in free agency and through the draft. Yet, adding a low-cost, proven option could be the most attractive solution to a team that wants to win now, like the Vikings.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Love Boat Captain Hired by Barstool Sports

If the Vikings want to add a free agent receiver, then someone like Darius Slayton could make a lot of sense, especially if the team retains Daniel Jones as their backup quarterback. Slayton never had consistent QB play on the New York Giants, which undoubtedly hurt his production.

Darius Slayton v. Seahawks

8 catches 122 yards 1 TD
-3 3rd down conversions
-2 deep catches pic.twitter.com/4IySmsLN4H

— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) October 7, 2024

Despite their flaws, Slayton was still productive for what he is, a secondary option that will never be a team’s No. 1 receiver, yet the Giants were using him like one for the bulk of his career. Slayton actually had a higher drop rate than Nailor at 15.2% (third-highest among WRs with 40 or more snaps), but he’s also gotten consistent results, topping 700 yards in four of his six seasons.

Related: Justin Jefferson Doesn’t Care Who Plays QB for the Minnesota Vikings Next Season

Still just 28, it’s possible the 6-foot-1 receiver still has some untapped potential as a player who clocked a 4.39 40-yard dash coming out of college. He also had a 40.5-inch vertical jump. Both marks are better than Nailor’s pre-draft measurables. Yet, if Slayton lands a better opportunity as a No. 2 receiver elsewhere, why not consider a reunion with K.J. Osborn?

• Other Vikings free agency wide receiver targets: Brandin Cooks, K.J. Osborn, Rondale Moore, TuTu Atwell

Jevon Holland, safety

One of the team’s deepest positions for multiple years now, the Vikings could suddenly have a need. Harrison Smith will be entering the final year of his contract, and he’s turning 36 in February. Meanwhile, Camryn Bynum is a free agent, only leaving Joshua Metellus as a potential starter.

If Brian Flores returns, he frequently used three safeties on the field, so even if Smith returns, the Vikings may need to add another safety. If so, someone like Jevon Holland could be a strong fit.

The Miami Dolphins’ starting safety was selected 36th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, which was Brian Flores’ final season in South Beach. So, we already know he’s a plug-and-play solution in Minnesota’s current defensive scheme.

📈 PFF have ranked Jevon Holland as the third best player set to hit free agency

"Holland ranked among the five highest-graded safeties in two of his first three seasons in the league… his previous body of work more than speaks for itself." (@PFF) #GoFins pic.twitter.com/cyNRawdXt0

— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) December 23, 2024

He’ll also be just 25 years old, which means he could be a perfect long-term replacement for Smith. Holland is coming off a down season, arguably the worst of his career, so the Vikings could get a bit of a discount for a player who graded as the third-best safety per PFF in 2023. This included him having the ninth-best grade on run defense and the third-best coverage grade among safeties.

• Other Vikings free agency safety targets: Talanoa Hufanga, Justin Simmons

Related: Minnesota Vikings Bringing Back Young Interior Defensive Lineman

Milton Williams, defensive tackle

It’s time to address arguably the Vikings’ biggest weakness: the defensive interior. There aren’t many top-notch interior defenders available in free agency, but like the Vikings found last year, there could be a few hidden gems. One of them is Philadelphia’s Milton Williams.

Milton is far from a household name, but Williams is excellent at what he does, which is generate pressure. He finished with PFF’s second-highest pass-rush grade among defensive linemen last season after generating a ridiculous 40 pressures.

Related: Adam Schefter Weighs in on What a Kevin O’Connell Extension Might Cost the Vikings

That’s more than all three of the Vikings’ defensive line starts combined (39 pressures among Harrison Phillips (16), Jerry Tillery (17), and Jonathan Bullard (6). Admittedly, Williams didn’t grade as well as a run defender, ranking 167th among interior defenders, but that’s where other run stoppers can be subbed in on short-yardage situations.

How often DTs are doubled and how productive they are as pass rushers

x = Double Team %
y = Pressure %
Sacks = 3 pressures
QB Hits = 2 pressures
Hurries = 1 pressure pic.twitter.com/4dSD57FDWy

— Stat Acccount (@AcccountStat) January 17, 2025

If Williams can’t be signed, then picking up a two-time Pro Bowler like Javon Hargrave could be a better option, but he’s also set to turn 32, compared to Williams being just 26 next season.

• Other Vikings free agency defensive line targets: Javon Hargrave, Jarran Reed

Top Minnesota Vikings free agent target – Trey Smith, right guard

Lastly, anyone who had to witness the Vikings lose to the Rams in the NFL Playoffs, saw that the offensive line didn’t hold up when the game mattered most. While the loss of Christian Darrisaw and for a bit, Brian O’Neill didn’t help, the Vikings’ offensive interior has long been a big weakness.

Dalton Risner is a free agent. Odds are, Ed Ingram won’t suddenly come back after the summer and turn into the second-coming of Steve Hutchinson, which means it’s finally time to address the offensive interior. If the Vikings don’t want to risk spending another high draft pick on another offensive lineman who doesn’t develop the way they like, why not sign a proven solution?

Related: Vikings Uninterested in Sam Darnold Long Term but Franchise Tag Remains on Table

The best offensive lineman available this offseason is the Kansas City Chiefs’ right guard Trey Smith. If the plan is to keep Blake Brandel at left guard, then Smith would immediately help fix this offensive line’s biggest weakness. Smith has not only started every game while helping the Chiefs win two Super Bowls, he’s coming off his first Pro Bowl season.

Trey Smith blocking through the whistle 😤

📺: #NOvsKC on ESPN
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/lLoeQ2khA2

— NFL (@NFL) October 8, 2024

His accolade was well-deserved, considering Smith ranked 14th among all guards, which included respectably being the 33rd-best pass blocker and the 10th-best run blocker. That also included allowing zero sacks. Despite being a former sixth-round pick, the 25-year-old has never graded worse than 22nd among guards.

Yet, of course many teams, likely including the Chiefs, will be looking to sign Smith to a massive contract this offseason. So if the Vikings can’t land Smith, perhaps robbing Kevin Zeitler from the Lions or Teven Jenkins from the Bears would be ideal backup plans.

• Other Vikings free agency guard targets: Kevin Zeitler, Teven Jenkins

It may seem bleak now, with Ed Ingram ranking 66th among 75 guards per PFF, but there was a time when the Vikings had it worse. Remember Dakota Dozier?

Anyway, life doesn’t have to continue being this scary. The Vikings could get a better guard. Right now, the most obvious replacement is Dalton Risner once he’s back up to full speed, but what about outside solutions? There’s one who could hop aboard the Vikings’ ship via free agency this offseason.

Related: 4 Stats to Know for Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings Matchup, Analyzing Impact

BR suggest Minnesota Vikings should sign Trey Smith in 2025

Even after signing Justin Jefferson to a record-breaking contract extension and paying Christian Darrisaw $104M, your Minnesota Vikings are still in tip-top shape when it comes to the salary cap this offseason.

If the offseason started today, and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah didn’t sign any of Minnesota’s pending free agents (not realistic), then the Vikings would have roughly $76 million in cap space, per OTC. That’s a lot of cheddar.

It’s enough cheese for the Vikings to go out and literally sign any player they wanted in free agency. Knowing what we know about the Vikings’ guard situation (Ed Ingram bad, Dalton Risner free agent), it only makes sense to comb the open market for an upgrade.

Recently, Bleacher Report provided a bit of a Vikings offseason primer, where they select one obvious target Minnesota’s front office should go after. To no surprise, they selected a guard, Trey Smith, of the Kansas City Chiefs.

As mentioned, Smith is one of the best guards in the NFL. The two-time Super Bowl winner enters Week 7 as the sixth-highest grade in the league, per Pro Football Focus. Yet, he does tend to grade just above average as a pass protector, so there are some blemishes in his game.

The Chiefs’ right guard has allowed zero sacks but nine hurries (and ten pressures) this season. Considering Ingram has allowed three sacks and 13 hurries (and 17 pressures), that’s still a big upgrade. PFF would agree, as Ingram has a putrid pass-block grade of 29.4, whereas Smith’s is at 62.6.

If the Vikings want to take one massive step toward improving their run blocking while still providing better protection as J.J. McCarthy makes his NFL debut in 2025, then signing someone like Smith would be a perfect fit this offseason.