2026 Free Agency and Draft: OL
It's not likely the Vikings will target tackle or guard in either free agency or the draft, but you never know, especially with the questions surrounding Darrisaw. However, center is a position they will almost certainly address. I agree with this article. I'd use one of our 3rd rounders on a center and have him compete with Brandel. Might be time to cut bait on Jurgens.
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If the Vikings want to sign a starting center in free agency, it's going to cost them. They need to find a replacement for Ryan Kelly, who announced his retirement on Friday, but the price point on a few recent center contracts could cause Minnesota to look towards the draft instead.
In the last few days, three different centers have come off the market prior to the beginning of free agency, dwindling the supply a bit for teams with a need at the position.
March 6: Tyler Biadasz signs a three-year, $30 million deal with the Chargers after being cut by the Commanders.
March 7: Bills re-sign Connor McGovern on four-year, $52 million contract.
March 8: Packers re-sign Sean Rhyan on three-year, $33 million deal.
That's $10 million a year for Biadasz, $13 million for McGovern, and $11 million for Rhyan. $10 million a year seems to be the baseline price for a proven starting center. The Vikings have cleared up enough cap space to make some additions this week, but will they want to allocate that much of their budget to one of the few remaining center options?
It seems very unlikely that the Vikings will be in on the top free agent center, Baltimore's Tyler Linderbaum. He's expected to get at least $20 million per year, which will make him the highest-paid center in the NFL.
Beyond Linderbaum, Carolina's Cade Mays now stands out as the likely No. 2 option on the market. He figures to get a deal in the $10-13 million range. The other remaining free agent centers who played at least 600 offensive snaps last season are Ethan Pocic (Browns), Lloyd Cushenberry III (Titans), Graham Glasgow (Lions), and Luke Fortner (Saints).
The Vikings do have a couple in-house center options in Blake Brandel and Michael Jurgens. Brandel made six starts at center last season while Kelly was sidelined by concussions. He filled in admirably at that spot, but the Vikings may want to have him as a depth lineman who can play all five positions. Jurgens also saw time last year, but the former seventh-round pick ranked 37th out of 40 centers (minimum 300 snaps) in PFF grade.
If the Vikings don't want to pay up for a free agent center, they could look to the draft in April to find their future starter. There are a number of players whose value may align with one of Minnesota's two third-round picks. Those include Connor Lew (Auburn), Jake Slaughter (Florida), Logan Jones (Iowa), and a few others. A plan that makes plenty of sense is for the Vikings to draft a center and have them compete with Brandel and Jurgens for the job in 2026.
Source: Packers are releasing two-time Pro-Bowl center Elgton Jenkins. pic.twitter.com/JBhVmW9p25
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2026
MaroonBells wrote:
https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/2031099341398528452?s=20
and with that move, every NFCN team will have a new starting center this year, might be a good year to get a disruptive DT to speed up the learning curve for those new C's.
Why isn't Chuck Foreman in the Hall of Fame?
Connor Lew is absolutely one of the top players for me this year coming out in the draft. I have a couple of them. I truly believe with how he plays and takes control of the game. I have done some work on him. He will be huge for an offense. I believe he is a 10-year day one starter
Canthony wrote:
Connor Lew is absolutely one of the top players for me this year coming out in the draft. I have a couple of them. I truly believe with how he plays and takes control of the game. I have done some work on him. He will be huge for an offense. I believe he is a 10-year day one starter
That's if he can start day one. He had ACL surgery in October and likely won't be even be able to compete in training camp. Slaughter and Heckt aren't great zone fits. I think our guy could be Iowa's Logan Jones in the 3rd.
MaroonBells wrote:
That's if he can start day one. He had ACL surgery in October and likely won't be even be able to compete in training camp. Slaughter and Heckt aren't great zone fits. I think our guy could be Iowa's Logan Jones in the 3rd.
I like Logan Jones from Iowa as well. His ACL doesn't bother me a whole lot. We can make due if we need to. Not a fan of Slaughter either way, but as you said, he isn't a great zone fit anyways.
Logan Jones is interesting to me. I don't think he commands the line quite as strong as Lew however. I believe that is an important trait for a 10 year center.
Logan Jones pass protection is near perfect for a zone team like MB said. He is a 3 year captain (correct me if I am wrong) and has over like something 40 starts. I wouldn't be mad at all, but I just prefer Lew. What Jones concerns me on is run blocking a bit. Seems to get beat when engaged. Whether that is because he has a thin frame or if his arms are of concern.
StickierBuns wrote:
Rumor is Minnesota is going to draft a center, they like a few big time reportedly. Love that idea.
I think we very much will. Connor Lew is just perfect for the Vikings. He really is. He is only a Jr. Thick frame. 6'4. What I like the most about Lew, he is an extension of the QB when it comes to calling out protections and blitzes. Has a real feal for the play at a young age. Watch run plays from Auburn. Lew is the General on multiple big time runs and Lew called the adjustment pre-run. Some may say that is normal. Is it for a 20 year old that is calling out formations and adjustments like an NFL C for an SEC team? Lew is simply special, and IMO the best C in this years draft.
Canthony wrote:
I like Logan Jones from Iowa as well. His ACL doesn't bother me a whole lot. We can make due if we need to. Not a fan of Slaughter either way, but as you said, he isn't a great zone fit anyways.
Logan Jones is interesting to me. I don't think he commands the line quite as strong as Lew however. I believe that is an important trait for a 10 year center.
I think Lew is the best center. It's just about his knee. If the Vikings feel comfortable starting Brandel, he could be an option for us, and we might get a nice little injury discount. Because while he's likely a 2nd round talent, he could drop to the end of day two.
Physically, Logan Jones has some Bradbury in him, which might scare Viking fans. But he's much more of an ass kicker than Bradbury was.
MaroonBells wrote:
I think Lew is the best center. It's just about his knee. If the Vikings feel comfortable starting Brandel, he could be an option for us, and we might get a nice little injury discount. Because while he's likely a 2nd round talent, he could drop to the end of day two.
Physically, Logan Jones has some Bradbury in him, which might scare Viking fans. But he's much more of an ass kicker than Bradbury was.
That is my worry. He reminds me of Bradbury in some areas. I think Jones will be a better zone blocker when it comes to the pass rush. That is an area that I think Jones will be better. It's hard for me with Jones. Makes me worry though when Lew is just a simply better all around C and he is still super young. I would be surprised if Lew drops to the end of round 3. If you want him, I think you grab him at 49. I think he may have a chance to go before that even.
Canthony wrote:
That is my worry. He reminds me of Bradbury in some areas. I think Jones will be a better zone blocker when it comes to the pass rush. That is an area that I think Jones will be better. It's hard for me with Jones. Makes me worry though when Lew is just a simply better all around C and he is still super young. I would be surprised if Lew drops to the end of round 3. If you want him, I think you grab him at 49. I think he may have a chance to go before that even.
Age is another potential problem for Jones. He turns 25 in October.
Canthony wrote:
Very fair concern for sure.
offensive linemen historically have pretty long careers, spending a day 2 pick on a 25 year old guy that is going to play until mid 30s makes more sense than using a day 2 pick on a 22 or 23 year old that will be in decline after 3-4 years like most RBs seem to go.
Why isn't Chuck Foreman in the Hall of Fame?
dadevike wrote:
Most/all of these college centers are just too small. They will get pushed right back into the QB by a big DT.
Are they though? The misconception on center size has been one of my pet peeves since we drafted Garrett Bradbury, with so many people saying he was "too small." He wasn't too small at all. He may have been underpowered, but he wasn't any smaller than most centers.
Here's a look at some center sizes. And to be fair, and because I have time, I'll put combine measurements first — then current listed size.
Garrett Bradbury
6-3, 306 — 6-3, 300
Here are the 4 centers who made the Pro Bowl this last season:
Creed Humphrey - 6-4, 302 — 6-4, 302
Cam Jurgens - 6-3, 303 — 6-3, 303
Tyler Linderbaum, 6-2, 296 —6-2, 305
Drew Dalman, 6-3, 295 —6-3, 301
Here are the top 4 centers in the draft, acccording to NFL Draft Buzz
Jake Slaughter - 6-5, 303
Connor Lew - 6-4, 310
Logan Jones - 6-3, 299
Sam Hecht - 6-4, 303
One of the best to ever play the position was Jason Kelce.
6-3, 280 — 6-3, 295
MaroonBells wrote:
Are they though? The misconception on center size has been one of my pet peeves since we drafted Garrett Bradbury, with so many people saying he was "too small." He wasn't too small at all. He may have been underpowered, but he wasn't any smaller than most centers.
Here's a look at some center sizes. And to be fair, and because I have time, I'll put combine measurements first — then current listed size.
Garrett Bradbury
6-3, 306 — 6-3, 300Here are the 4 centers who made the Pro Bowl this last season:
Creed Humphrey - 6-4, 302 — 6-4, 302
Cam Jurgens - 6-3, 303 — 6-3, 303
Tyler Linderbaum, 6-2, 296 —6-2, 305
Drew Dalman, 6-3, 295 —6-3, 301Here are the top 4 centers in the draft, acccording to NFL Draft Buzz
Jake Slaughter - 6-5, 303
Connor Lew - 6-4, 310
Logan Jones - 6-3, 299
Sam Hecht - 6-4, 303One of the best to ever play the position was Jason Kelce.
6-3, 280 — 6-3, 295
Slaughter isn't better than Lew. I'm sure it is his ACL on that ranking. Just my opinion
BigAl99 wrote:
Logan Jones is the Shortest,So there's that,.... now,
Gonna need that with the new QB1
Why isn't Chuck Foreman in the Hall of Fame?
Up next Center Sam Hecht! 6’4 305lb. Perfect for teams who utilize outside zone, excellent puller and ability to reach the B gap! Always looking for work. Anchor is outstanding and quickly resets after being bull rushed! Really good pass blocker, Invitations to both the Senior… pic.twitter.com/fZ6uurxA4D
— DraftNerd (@TALKINGBALL1) March 14, 2026
Canthony wrote:
I am not crazy high on Hecht, but I like him better than Slaughter. What are your feeling on him?
Haven't watched much. I know he's a technician, and I know he struggled a bit with Lee Hunter in the Senior Bowl, as did everyone. Sounds like he's in that group with Slaughter, Lew and Logan Jones. Haven't watched enough of any of them yet to put them in an order I'd feel good about. But I will say that I like Slaughter more than you do. His pass pro is next level.
Nice battle between two Florida guys. Jake Slaughter vs Caleb Banks pic.twitter.com/TpPYYeNtBB
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) January 28, 2026
Jake Slaughter, step right up! #HTownMade pic.twitter.com/dn8ZdSuDmZ https://t.co/ovOcOkIHA2
— big ounce (@_bigounce) February 24, 2026
Sam Hecht is an incredibly athletic, coordinated center prospect who could go as early as round 2 pic.twitter.com/ATiGRL5Ay1
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) March 16, 2026
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