Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports activities.
The Minnesota Vikings have 24 gamers slated to hit free company in three weeks, together with cornerbacks Byron Murphy, Stephon Gilmore, and Shaquill Griffin.
The 5 Finest Cornerback Choices for Vikings Free Company
The franchise emphatically wants cornerback assist. Free company is the proper spot for it.
And with free company 22 days away, these are 5 free-agent-to-be cornerbacks from the exterior market to contemplate for Minnesota, ranked in ascender order (No. 1 = prime choice).
5. Paulson Adebo
Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Photos.
Age: 252023 PFF Grade: 78.62024 PFF Grade: 63.32023 Passer Ranking In opposition to: 62.72024 Passer Ranking In opposition to: 71.9
There’s one huge catch right here with Adebo. He broke his leg midseason.
Other than that apparent detriment, Adebo can ball. And he’s the form of participant basic supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah would possibly goal — great worth getting back from the grotesque harm.
Adofo-Mensah did so with Marcus Davenport in 2023 — that failed — and Andrew Van Ginkel in 2024 — that didn’t fail.
4. Carlton Davis
Lon Horwedel-Imagn Photos.
Age: 282023 PFF Grade: 58.22024 PFF Grade: 74.52023 Passer Ranking In opposition to: 96.12024 Passer Ranking In opposition to: 77.0
Davis, too, will probably be getting back from a late-season harm getting into the 2025 offseason. However he had a productive 2024 marketing campaign with the Detroit Lions, and that workforce’s followers liked him.
This veteran nook is probably a bit older than Minnesota’s typical free-agent modus operandi, however as a fallback plan, Davis might excel in Brian Flores’ protection.
3. Mike Jackson
Bob Donnan-Imagn Photos.
Age: 282023 PFF Grade: 77.02024 PFF Grade: 68.02023 Passer Ranking In opposition to: 95.12024 Passer Ranking In opposition to: 106.5
CBS Sports activities‘ Pete Prisco was rather high on Jackson as a free agent this week, naming him the league’s Thirtieth-best free agent. Prisco wrote, “Mike Jackson might be one of the more underrated players on this list. He started 17 games for the Panthers and did a nice job playing outside cornerback in their defense. He had 13 pass breakups and two interceptions. He just turned 28.”
This man needs to be extra inexpensive than the following two guys on the checklist.
2. Charvarius Ward
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Photos.
Age: 282023 PFF Grade: 82.62024 PFF Grade: 56.22023 Passer Ranking In opposition to: 64.52024 Passer Ranking In opposition to: 116.6
Ward skilled a quiet season in 2024 by his normally lofty requirements, which can have pushed his price ticket down.
Nonetheless, not too many confirmed veteran cornerbacks will hit the open market, and if Minnesota desires a battle-tested choice, it’s Ward (if not the final man on this checklist).
Earlier than 2024, Ward routinely produced 80.0+ PFF seasons and acted as one of many NFL’s prime defensive backs. The person was 2nd-Crew All-Professional and a Professional Bowler in 2023.
1. D.J. Reed
Shaun Brooks-Imagn Photos.
Age: 282023 PFF Grade: 77.92024 PFF Grade: 70.72023 Passer Ranking In opposition to: 81.62024 Passer Ranking In opposition to: 87.1
Grabbing him in March received’t be straightforward, however 25 different groups additionally don’t have the identical spending energy as Minnesota. Reed advised Go Lengthy’s Tyler Dunne in December, “I’m ready to go to free agency, bro. I’m ready to see what’s next for me.”
Right here’s his complete Professional Soccer Focus resume:
2024: 70.7
2023: 77.9
2022: 72.5
2021: 78.6
2020: 75.2
2019: 75.1
2018: 66.5
This man is the gold commonplace amongst free-agent CBs this offseason.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the College of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his each day YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The present options company, evaluation, and opinion on all issues associated to the purple workforce, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates again to 1996. Listed responsible pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doorways (the band). He follows the NBA as intently because the NFL.
All statistics supplied by Professional Soccer Reference / Stathead; all contractual info supplied by OverTheCap.com.
