Detroit Lions cornerback Carlton Davis III (23) seems to be on at a timeout in opposition to Los Angeles Rams in the course of the second half at Ford Subject in Detroit on Sunday, September 8, 2024. © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK through Imagn Photographs.
With the beginning of NFL free company on the horizon, I’m persevering with my have a look at the prime FA choices for the Vikings by place. This time, I have a look at the chances for Vikings at CB on this 12 months’s free company.
High 5 Vikings Free Agent Choices at CB
The Vikings’ most important three CBs from the 2024 season — Byron Murphy, Stephon Gilmore, and Shaq Griffin — are all set to hit free company, leaving the cabinet naked in Minnesota. Mekhi Blackmon — who missed final season with a knee harm — and 2024 undrafted rookie Dwight McGlorthern are the one CBs presently in situ. Bringing again Murphy, who had the perfect season of his profession final day out, ought to be a excessive precedence, nevertheless it gained’t come low-cost. Then the Vikings will nonetheless want to seek out one other high quality CB who can begin on the surface.
5. Rasul Douglas
Inexperienced Bay Packers cornerback Rasul Douglas (29) celebrates with defensive again Chandon Sullivan (39) after Douglas intercepted a go within the fourth quarter in opposition to the Cleveland Browns throughout their soccer recreation Saturday, December 25, 2021, at Lambeau Subject in Inexperienced Bay, Wis. Samantha Madar/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
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Rasul Douglas — 31 when the brand new season begins — could be an identical signing to what the Vikings have accomplished lately: a veteran on a short-term deal to fill a spot. It’s not my most well-liked route, nevertheless it might be an honest fallback choice if different avenues of curiosity don’t work out. Douglas has a knack for making performs on the ball, with 19 interceptions and 79 go deflections in an eight-year profession. Douglas had a difficult season in Buffalo final 12 months however ought to nonetheless appeal to vital curiosity.
4. Charvarius Ward
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Photographs.
Charvarius Ward has been a very good CB in Kansas Metropolis and, extra lately, San Francisco for a number of seasons. A Professional Bowler in 2023, it was a tough 12 months for Ward each on and off the sector. With CB teammate Deommodore Lenoir receiving an in-season extension, the 49ers seem keen to let Ward depart, and he ought to have loads of suitors. As a veteran choice who’s nonetheless solely 29, the Vikings may do a lot worse.
3. Carlton Davis
After six seasons in Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers traded Carlton Davis to the Detroit Lions final 12 months, and he supplied fast stability to a younger Detroit secondary. An identical function may await him in Minnesota, making him an astute signing. As with seemingly each Detroit defensive participant final season, his season ended with an harm — a damaged jaw in Week 15. At 28, there ought to nonetheless be loads of soccer forward for Davis, making not less than a medium-term answer on the place.
2. Paulson Adebo
Stephen Lew-Imagn Photographs.
An intriguing choice for Brian Flores to work with is Paulson Adebo, who was having fun with a very good 12 months earlier than a damaged femur knocked him out for the rest of the season again in October. It was a nasty harm, and his restoration might be one thing groups will monitor. It got here on the most unlucky time, because the New Orleans Saints would quickly commerce away prime CB Marshon Lattimore, which might have given Adebo the possibility to check himself because the group’s CB1.
Good in protection with three interceptions in seven video games final season, Adebo additionally impressed as a go rusher with a 91.5 go rush grade from Professional Soccer Focus. This a talent set that Flores can actually get probably the most from in his unique blitz packages. Adebo could be a very good signing, relying on his restoration timeline.
1. D.J. Reed
Florham Park, NJ July 19, 2023 — Cornerback, DJ Reed being interviewed as gamers arrived as we speak to take part within the NY Jets 2023 Coaching Camp at their apply facility in Florham Park, NJ. © Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK.
The prized jewel of free company — if there have been one participant I may select that will land in Minnesota, it might be D.J. Reed. The lockdown CB the Vikings so desperately want on the perimeter, Reed ought to have lots left within the tank at 28. Reed has had six straight seasons of 70.0-plus PFF general grade, showcasing his consistency. He excelled in PFF’s superior metrics, boasting a 51.28% lockdown proportion.
The dream state of affairs is that Kevin O’Connell and his group at CB would discover a technique to associate Reed with a returning Murphy. Creating the strongest CB lineup in Minnesota in years.
