Vikings Can Tout One of League’s ‘Most Overlooked’ Additions
Eight new free agents have joined the Minnesota Vikings since March, including Josh Oliver (TE, Ravens), Marcus Davenport (EDGE, Saints), Byron Murphy (CB, Cardinals), Dean Lowry (DT, Packers), Brandon Powell (WR, Rams), Troy Reeder (LB, Chargers), Joejuan Williams (CB, Patriots), and John Reid (CB, Falcons).
Vikings Can Tout One of League’s ‘Most Overlooked’ Additions
Six men arrived from the 2023 NFL Draft, plus a large batch of undrafted free agents, headlined by Ivan Pace Jr. (LB) and Andre Carter II (OLB).
But of all those additions this offseason, one can be touted by the Vikings as ‘most overlooked,’ at least according to Bleacher Report — the free-agent acquisition of Byron Murphy from the Arizona Cardinals.
The Vikings signed Murphy on March 14th, which can be argued as the keynote offseason transaction, especially on defense. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said goodbye to Peterson, Shelley, Dantzler, Sullivan, and Boyd — who play Murphy’s position. In that regard, it almost feels like adding Murphy stopped the bleeding.
Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay outlined the five most overlooked NFL additions of the offseason and said about Murphy to Minnesota, “The Minnesota Vikings added a key piece to their rebuilding defense at a great price when they signed veteran cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. to a two-year, $22 million contract. The move gives the club an experienced, tough defender who can line up at several spots. That versatility will be welcomed in a secondary that was largely responsible for the disappointing ending to the team’s 2022 campaign.”
Murphy, 25, is essentially guaranteed to start, barring injury, but after his CB1 status, his CB running mates remain a mystery. Some twosome of Andrew Booth, Akayleb Evans, Joejuan Williams, and rookie Mehki Blackmon is expected to win starter’s jobs.
“New defensive coordinator Brian Flores will enjoy having an intelligent, gritty playmaker like Murphy who can be used either outside or in the nickel as needed. While the 25-year-old is coming off a season-ending back injury, he’s only a year removed from a 2021 campaign in which he racked up 64 tackles, 12 pass defenses and four interceptions while starting 16 contests. Prior to going down in Week 9 last year, Murphy was only allowing a 63.8 percent completion rate — a career-best mark — when targeted in coverage,” Kay added.
If the Vikings are underwhelmed by Murphy’s CB teammates at training camp, veterans Marcus Peters, William Jackson, and Eli Apple, among others, remain available on the free-agent wire.
Kay concluded about Murphy’s overlooked status, “With rookie corners Mekhi Blackmon and Jay Ward also expected to play large roles this season — helping offset the losses of veterans Patrick Peterson and Chandon Sullivan in free agency — the Vikings have a real opportunity to emerge as a capable defensive squad.”
Here’s the Pro Football Focus tale of the tape for Murphy:
- 2019 = 48.3
- 2020 = 64.7
- 2021 = 59.7
- 2022 = 66.7
And the passer-rating-against statistics:
- 2019 = 111.2
- 2020 = 92.5
- 2021 = 87.6
- 2022 = 103.1
He’s played 56 games (48 starts) since entering the NFL in 2019 as a 2nd-Round pick and logged 229 total tackles and 5 interceptions in four seasons. Murphy missed eight games in 2022 because of a back strain.
Kay also name-dropped Mike Gesicki (TE, Patriots), Arden Key (EDGE, Titans), Julian Love (S, Seahawks), and Rashaad Penny (RB, Eagles) as overlooked offseason additions.
8 Summer Breakout Players for Vikings
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 Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
You must be logged in to post a comment.