The Minnesota Vikings have been taking shot after shot at addressing the cornerback position. Whether through free agency or the draft, Minnesota has sunk significant resources into finding its shutdown corner. Mekhi Blackmon, last season’s third-round pick, was the best defensive back as far as passing rating allowed (min. 50+ targets), including cornerbacks.
Down the season’s final stretch, the defense’s coverages were limited due to the lack of talent at the cornerback position. Last season’s acquisition of Byron Murphy Jr. was a fine addition, but it’s not enough going into the next phase of Brian Flores’ defense. This year’s free agency class allows Minnesota to build the defense’s secondary through the draft and free agency if they so desire.
Today, I outline seven potential options for the Vikings to consider as we get closer to the free agency period.
Before heading out to lead the Miami Dolphins, Flores won his fourth Super Bowl as a New England Patriot in 2018. For Gilmore, that was his only ring as a Patriot, if you can believe it.
Outside of that reunion, Gilmore is adding an adult to one of the younger cornerback rooms in the league. While you’re not getting the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year, Gilmore is still a physical, smart corner whose inside-outside versatility can still be a weapon this late in his career.
One of my favorite cornerbacks in this free agency cycle, Keisean Nixon, is an asset on defense and a back-to-back First-Team All-Pro as a kick returner. In his two meetings with Minnesota, Nixon had three of his nine total pass deflections and his lone half-sack of 2023. At 5’11”, 200 pounds, Nixon’s athleticism makes him a versatile weapon in coverage and run support. His play at the nickel position would give the Vikings a change of pace outside their usual three-safety sets.
A low-cost option that Minnesota could explore is the New York Jets’ Bryce Hall. After finding gems on both sides in D.J. Reed and Sauce Gardner, Hall has been the odd man out at outside corner.
During the matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023, he was targeted eight times, only allowing one catch and catching his lone interception of the season. Even if he’s just a depth piece or a special teamer, $1.5 to $2 million on a player with Hall’s coverage ability, especially in man, seems like a good bet.
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