Vikings Could Show Interest in a Released Defender
The Minnesota Vikings have completely revamped their cornerback room. That was expected and necessary as one-year contributors Stephon Gilmore, Shaq Griffin, and Fabian Moreau all headed toward free agency. Only Byron Murphy Jr. was retained from last year’s big four.
Vikings Could Show Interest in a Released Defender
In addition to the Pro Bowler, the Vikings get Mekhi Blackmon back after missing him in 2024 due to a torn ACL. Speedster Isaiah Rodgers was signed after winning the title with the Eagles. Former third-overall pick Jeff Okudah was added as well.
If the Vikings want another corner, now is the chance with the release of Raiders defender Jack Jones.
Ian Rapoport posted on Sunday, “The #Raiders are releasing CB Jack Jones, sources say, after Las Vegas attempted to trade him. An intriguing option for a CB-needy team.”
Jones, a 2022 fourth-rounder by the Patriots, is looking for his third NFL team. New England released him in November of his sophomore season. He had tumbled down the depth chart due to a missed curfew, and the Patriots said goodbye a few weeks later.
That’s where the Vikings enter the story. Minnesota tried to claim him off waivers, but the Raiders had a worse record and, therefore, a higher priority.
Field Yates, ESPN, reported 17 months ago: “The Vikings joined the Raiders in putting a claim in on CB Jack Jones, per source. The Raiders had higher priority in the waiver order and land the former Patriot in their secondary.”
If the Vikings are still interested, now is the chance to grab him. The 27-year-old would not enter the compensatory pick calculation because he was released.
He was also invited to the Twin Cities for a pre-draft visit. The Patriots also hosted him and ultimately drafted him. The Vikings apparently preferred Akayleb Evans and traded up to choose him three spots ahead of Jones.
In three NFL seasons, Jones played 42 games (21 starts). Last season, he was a full-time starter in Las Vegas. Throughout his career, he has logged 136 tackles and seven interceptions. He returned four of those for touchdowns, including one that looked like the cornerback version of Andrew Van Ginkel.
Now, is he actually good?
Last year, among 98 cornerbacks with at least 300 coverage snaps, his PFF coverage grade ranked 85th. He was targeted 82 times and gave up 54 receptions for 679 yards, 10 touchdowns, and three picks. The passer rating when targeted was 115.8.
None of that suggests the Vikes would need him in a cornerback room that already includes the aforementioned four defenders, last year’s undrafted rookie Dwight McGlothern, and former Texans and Buccaneers special teamer Tavierre Thomas, who played significant snaps in Houston.
However, Jones’ play in the previous two seasons, his first two in the NFL, was quite solid, according to PFF. His grades ranked him 17th and 33rd among qualifying cornerbacks.
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores might be intrigued by the former Patriot and Raider, who secured J.J. McCarthy’s preseason interception last August.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.