The Vikings need all kinds of help at corner. The fine folks at PFF recognized this reality, so they’re insisting that Minnesota snags one of this year’s most notable free agents.
Admittedly, players like J.C. Jackson or Carlton Davis will get more attention. They’ve both proven they’re capable of taking on a CB1 role. The issue, of course, is that it’ll be very challenging to sign them. Plus, their own teams may opt for the franchise tag to keep them in town. If that occurs, Minnesota will need to look toward some tier-2 corners.
PFF suggests that the Vikings may be interested in Darious Williams, who played corner for the Rams:
Williams has had the privilege of playing next to All-Pro Jalen Ramsey for two straight years, which just so happen to also be the two of the best years of his career. The question is whether he can succeed on a team without a dominant top corner.
He’s also a bit on the older side, as he will be 29 years old by the time the 2022 season starts. The Vikings hired Ed Donatell, who formerly worked with Vic Fangio in Denver, so adding Williams would give Donatell an experienced veteran with multiple years in Fangio’s system.
One other thing that ought to give Minnesota some pause is the lack of purple pass rush. Williams not only got easier coverage assignments due to Ramsey, but also had to cover for less time since Aaron Donald, Von Miller, and Leonard Floyd were so disruptive. It’s unlikely the Vikings can put forth a similarly imposing front 7 next year.
As a result, it would be foolish for Minnesota spend a ton on Williams. As with pretty much every deal, the problem is often about the amount paid and the expectations that come with the amount paid. A modest deal suggests a player will merely be a role player. A gargantuan deal suggests that player will be elite. Setting appropriate expectations is therefore key.
Now, I’m not saying the Vikings ought to avoid bringing in corner help in free agency. In fact, I think the opposite ought to be true. The team needs to bring in talent. They just need to do so in a reasonable manner. If Williams can be brought in on a more team-friendly deal, then it makes some sense.
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