Vikings’ Free Agency Spending Could Make Top Draft Prospect a Luxury, Not a Necessity
With limited draft capital — just four picks, the fewest in the NFL — the Minnesota Vikings took an aggressive approach in free agency. That strategy, however, may now make targeting a top interior defensive lineman like Oregon’s Derrick Harmon less of a priority.
Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski noted that the Vikings made major moves to reinforce the defensive line, signing veterans Javon Hargrave (two years, $30 million) and Jonathan Allen (three years, $51 million). According to Spotrac, the duo received a combined $50.2 million in practical guarantees.
“Before free agency, Harmon would have been a prime target for the Vikings. Now, given their recent additions to the interior defensive line, drafting him would be more of a luxury than a necessity,” Sobleski wrote on April 20.
- Derrick Harmon
Despite being in their 30s, both Allen and Hargrave are signed beyond this season and still capable of playing at a high level. They join Harrison Phillips, 29, who begins a two-year, $15 million contract extension in 2025.
Per Over The Cap, Minnesota ranks 14th in interior defensive line spending for 2025 at $28.9 million — but that number is expected to jump to second in the league by 2026, with $54.4 million committed to the position.
Should the Vikings Pass on a Potential Game-Changer?
Dane Brugler of The Athletic ranks Harmon as the second-best interior defensive lineman and the No. 16 overall prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft. He could be a steal if he falls to Minnesota at No. 24.
“Harmon is a dynamic, disruptive interior force,” Brugler wrote. “He wins with lateral quickness, uses his hands well to shed blockers, and consistently breaks through gaps to pressure the quarterback. Though he led all FBS interior linemen in pressures last season, he also led in missed tackles (12). With even slight improvement in finishing plays, he could have reached double-digit sacks.”
Brugler also praised Harmon’s versatility, projecting him as a scheme-flexible NFL starter capable of playing anywhere along the defensive front.
While passing on Harmon might make sense given Minnesota’s recent investments, it could also come back to bite them — especially with the team already facing pressure to make this draft count. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has hit on just six players from his first two drafts who are still on the roster.
With limited draft capital and a recent history of draft struggles, the Vikings face a tough decision: stick to filling needs, or take a chance on a high-upside prospect who could anchor the defensive line for years to come.
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