Vikings Careening Toward Complete Corner Overhaul
Not altogether unlike the edge rusher spot during the 2024 offseason, the Vikings appear to be careening toward a total overhaul of their corner spot in the upcoming offseason.
Right now, the team’s top options at corner (in order) are Stephon Gilmore, Byron Murphy Jr., Shaq Griffin, and Fabian Moreau. All four of these players were added as free agents; all four are moving ever closer to free agency if there’s no new deal to keep them in Minnesota. Minnesota would thus be left with Mekhi Blackmon, who is recovering from a serious knee injury that knocked him out for the season, and UDFA Dwight McGlothern at the critically-important position.
The Vikings and The Corner Overhaul
Perhaps the main reason why cutting Akayleb Evans was so surprising was due to what’s to come.
Only 25, Evans has the potential to be a starting corner in the NFL. The issue appears to be that his game has taken a step back and that he’s a poor fit for Brian Flores. Keep in mind that Evans was drafted when the plan was to be running Ed Donatell’s defense, a scheme that’s quite a bit different from what we see out of Flores on Sundays.
Of the current starters, Murphy seems like the most likely to come back.
Still only 26, Murphy offers both the most youth and the most versatility among the internal free agent corners. He has been out wide for 426 snaps and in the slot for 177 snaps. Plus, Murphy has dropped down into the box for 49 snaps and even been along the d-line for 5 snaps. Flores needs guys who are capable of doing multiple things well. Currently, Murphy is being listed as the 28th corner on PFF with a sturdy 70.8 grade.
The more traditional stats also look pretty good. The corner has 53 tackles, 5 TFLs, 8 passes defended, and 4 interceptions. He has also forced a fumble.
Even if Murphy returns, the Vikings would have a CB spot that looks like this:
- Byron Murphy Jr.
- Mekhi Blackmon
- Dwight McGlothern
- NaJee Thompson (Injured Reserve)
Bringing the practice squad options back would involve tossing Nahshon Wright into the mix, as well. No doubt, plenty of work would need to be done.
Snagging a free agent like D.J. Reed would be a huge win. The current Jet has proven to be an excellent corner who can function as a matchup weapon, potentially giving Flores even more options to unleash chaos and confusion. Plus, the 2025 NFL Draft could kick over an option, but remember that the picks are skimpy.
The 2024 season has featured a pretty good corner group for the Vikings. Flores has worked that group into a defense with excellent edge rushers, linebackers, and safeties alongside some average defensive tackle talent to somehow make it all work. Minnesota is 5th in the NFL by allowing an average of 17.9 points against per game.
Fixing up the critical position with some free agent help alongside another youngster or two could result in Minnesota’s 2025 season being pretty special.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference, PFF, and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
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K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on Twitter, as a co-host for Notes from the North, and as the proprietor at The Vikings Gazette, a humble Vikings Substack.