Vikings Host 2 Free Agents for Talks

Dustin Baker |

Mar 28, 2022

Nate Hairson and Jesse Davis

Equipped with around $10 million in cap space after restructuring Adam Thielen’s contract and signing former Green Bay Packers players Za’Darius Smith and Chandon Sullivan, the Minnesota Vikings are scheduled to host two free agents for visits this week.

Minnesota arrived the 2022 offseason underwater for cap space, to the tune of fourth-worst in the NFL. Nonetheless, the organization has added veterans Jordan Hicks, Harrison Phillips, and the aforementioned Packers defenders.

These are the men scheduled to meet with the Vikings.

Nate Hairston (CB)

Hairston, 27, would likely play snaps as a slot cornerback if signed by the Vikings — akin to the vision for Chandon Sullivan. He’s played for AFC teams in his career, the Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets, and Denver Broncos. Most recently, Hairston was in Denver with new Vikings defensive coordinator Ed Donatell.

Playing just 15% of all defensive snaps for the Broncos in 2021, Hairston tallied nine tackles, four passes defended, and a 108.1 passer-rating-against. Hairston was drafted in the 5th Round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Colts from Temple. He played about half of all defensive snaps during his first three seasons in the league, experiencing limited on-field action thereafter in 2020 and especially 2021.

Hairston resume from Pro Football Focus:

2017 = 56.4
2018 = 51.6
2019 = 55.2
2020 = 43.4
2021 = 73.3

Hairston probably wouldn’t become the Vikings CB2 but would provide depth. He has a website that hasn’t been updated in quite some time.

Jesse Davis (OL)

Unlike Hairston, Davis actually plays frequently.

Davis played right tackle for the Miami Dolphins in 2021, getting action on 92% of all offensive snaps. He was an undrafted free agent from the 2017 draft class from Idaho, landing in Miami and never leaving [until now]. During his first two seasons, he played at right guard as the starter (2017 and 2018). In the last five seasons, Davis has been on the field for at least 90% of the Dolphins offensive snaps in each season.

It is unclear if Davis would back up Brian O’Neill and Christian Darrisaw — or start at right guard, a spot where the Vikings may be upgrading.

The PFF track record from Davis, who is 30 years old:

2017 = 52.5
2018 = 59.2
2019 = 58.9
2020 = 62.6
2021 = 52.5

If signed, both men would be relatively affordable acquisitions.

Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).