1 Vikings CB Target Is Off the Board – 7 Remaining Options
The Minnesota Vikings have revamped their cornerback room this offseason, as Stephon Gilmore and Shq Griffin left unsigned. Instead, it’ll be some combination of Mekhi Blackmon, Isaiah Rodgers, and Jeff Okudah matching up against the opposing wideouts.
1 Vikings CB Target Is Off the Board – 7 Remaining Options
Griffin was a potential target, as the Vikings could use another reliable veteran cornerback. He signed with the Seattle Seahawks, but there are some other candidates left.
Rasul Douglas
Douglas will turn 31 in August, and he’s coming off a slow year by his standards. The Bills moved on after two seasons. He revived his career in Green Bay after becoming a journeyman in the years prior, struggling to find a job in 2021.
With the Packers, however, Douglas was a solid starting corner in football. He’s clearly past his prime, but he could give the purple squad experience in the secondary. Perhaps Brian Flores could squeeze another year out of him.
Stephon Gilmore
An old friend, if insurance is needed for the unproven projected starters, why not re-sign Gilmore? Speaking of being past one’s prime, Gilmore certainly is no longer the perennial Pro Bowler and even Defensive Player of the Year candidate he was a few years ago, but he was solid in his lone season in purple.
The 34-year-old thought about retiring earlier this offseason, but he might be open to playing another year in a familiar environment.
Mike Hilton
Hilton is 31 years old and just like the other players on this list, isn’t getting any younger. Yet, the Vikings should think about giving him a call. He has been one of the premier slot defenders in football for nearly a decade, and his blitzing prowess could be intriguing for Flores.
Adding the veteran would pretty much force the Vikings to play Byron Murphy Jr. on the outside, which they might not be willing to do.
Jack Jones
Jones, 27, was released by the Raiders in April. He started his career with the Patriots, where he played for a couple of seasons until he was surprisingly released in November of 2023. The remainder of that season and last year, Jones played in Las Vegas.
Prior to the 2022 draft, the Vikings hosted him for a pre-draft visit, and they also placed a waiver claim once the Patriots showed him the door, but the Raiders had a higher priority. Now, the club has a chance to bring him in.
Jalen Ramsey
The first of two trade targets on the list, Jalen Ramsey, could be on the move once again. He and the Dolphins agree that it’s time for a divorce. Ramsey is 30 years old, but he was still one of the better cornerbacks in the NFL last season.
The obvious downside is his huge contract and the fact that he would cost something via trade. Still, it would be the biggest possible splash and would cement the franchise’s Super Bowl aspirations.
Asante Samuel Jr.
Samuel Jr. has been available all offseason. His shoulder is a real concern in the NFL, as his level of play suggested that his free agency wouldn’t last long. Some even thought he was one of the top CBs in free agency.
This late in the offseason, Samuel Jr. might be a real bargain, and at the age of 25, he’s the youngest player here.
Tariq Woolen
Another trade candidate. Woolen has not publicly been made available by the Seahawks, but he clashed with the coaching staff last season and was briefly benched. Now that the Seahawks have signed Griffin, Woolen could potentially be a trade option in the final year of his rookie deal.
Once again, the trade costs would sting, but Woolen just turned 26 and could be a starter for multiple years.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.