The Minnesota Vikings addressed their most glaring need this offseason by signing quarterback Kyler Murray, and they took some big swings in the draft on players who could make an impact this season. But there are still some positions of weakness on the roster as OTAs begin, and the team will be playing meaningful football before you know it. Fortunately, there are still players available that the Vikings could target before the June 9 mandatory minicamp deadline.
So, who are these players, and why would it be in Minnesota’s best interest to grab them now?
Rasul Douglas
As of now, potential Hall of Famer Harrison Smith has still not officially made a decision on his retirement. Regardless of whether he returns, the Vikings are thin at defensive back in experience and in sheer numbers.
Former Green Bay Packers cornerback Rasul Douglas could help round out a playoff roster.
Douglas, 31, has become a journeyman cornerback after the Philadelphia Eagles took him 99th overall in the 2017 draft. He has bounced around between the Eagles, Carolina Panthers, Packers, Buffalo Bills, and Miami Dolphins, where he finished last season.
Douglas has tallied 503 tackles with three sacks, four fumbles, three of them recovered, 21 interceptions, and three touchdowns. He has also played in seven playoff games and won a Super Bowl in his rookie season. In those seven games, he amassed 33 tackles and a forced fumble.
With playoff and Super Bowl experience, the Vikings could use Douglas in multiple different ways to help Brian Flores maximize the defense and create a potential juggernaut defensive backfield if Smith returns.
Jonnu Smith
Earlier in the offseason, the Minnesota Vikings bought out the final year of T.J. Hockenson‘s contract. That means the Vikings have a decision to make at year’s end about whether to keep or move on from Hockenson.
Whether they decide to re-sign him or try to go younger, grabbing another veteran tight end might not be the worst idea. That’s where Jonnu Smith could enter Minnesota’s game plan.
Smith has become a do-it-all tight end and has yet to find a true home after the Tennessee Titans let him walk following the 2020 season. After four seasons with the Titans, he has spent time with the New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins, and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Patriots made Smith the third-highest-paid tight end behind Travis Kelce and George Kittle when he originally signed there. Smith also earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2024, during which he posted career-best numbers across the board.
Smith’s career stat line isn’t bad. He has 345 receptions on 487 targets, 3,529 yards, and 30 TDs, with 196 rushing yards on 28 attempts, two rushing scores, and seven fumbles. His rushing numbers skyrocketed after last season, when he had a career-best 70 yards on the ground.
While Smith, 30, is slightly older than Hockenson, 28, Smith is more durable. He’s played at least 13 games in each of his 10 seasons, whereas Hockenson has had three seasons where he’s played fewer than 13 games.
Smith is still in his prime and could give the Vikings a great leader and an amazing one-two punch if the team decides to play more 12-personnel in 2026.
Will Hernandez
The Vikings learned last year that you can never have too much help on the offensive line.
Will Hernandez would provide the experience the team may need if one or more of the interior offensive linemen go down as the 2026 season plays out. While Hernandez would be a great addition to help bolster the depth of this group, injury issues have been a concern for the 34th-overall pick in the 2018 draft.
Hernandez has only played for the New York Giants, who drafted him, and the Arizona Cardinals. He has played an entire season only four times in eight seasons.
But adding Hernandez could create some competition for the center position, where Blake Brandel is the incumbent. If Hernandez wins the job, the line looks that much better. If he loses, there is a veteran backup ready to take over at a moment’s notice.
The 2026 Minnesota Vikings are sizing up their roster, aiming to build a team capable of carrying them to a championship. Rasul Douglas, Jonnu Smith, and Will Hernandez, all of whom are 30 years old, could come in and make an immediate impact.
But the clock is ticking. Many of these guys, and more, will likely be off the board sooner rather than later.
