5 Vikings free agents Minnesota needs to bring back

4. Mason Cole

Patrick Peterson wasn’t the only Cardinals player to make his way to Minnesota during the 2021 offseason. Offensive lineman Mason Cole also flew east to join the Vikings and found success along the way.

Cole was a third-round draft pick for Arizona in 2018 as a center. He started for them there in 2018 and 2020 but ended up on the trade block in 2021. He cost the Vikings a sixth-round draft pick to acquire.

There were certainly downs for Cole this season, including a really rough outing against the Bears. However, he started six games at center and right guard, showing positional versatility that would make him very useful to Minnesota going forward.

Before that disastrous performance in his final game before suffering a season-ending injury, Cole was having a solid season. His play was encouraging, especially considering what it took to get him.

Having seen how Cole can help the offensive line at center or guard, it makes every bit of sense to move forward with him in 2022 and beyond.