One Viking Tabbed as “Most Likely to Improve” in 2024
The Minnesota Vikings desperately need one or two cornerbacks to hold down the fort in 2024 after the franchise ranked 32nd in the NFL per completion percentage allowed in 2024.
One Viking Tabbed as “Most Likely to Improve” in 2024
And that’s on top of rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson tragically passing away in a Maryland car accident on July 6th, second-year corner Mekhi Blackmon tearing his ACL and missing all of 2024, and veteran defender Shaquill Griffin currently battling a leg injury that is considered week-to-week.
Well, Pro Football Network knows just the guy — cornerback Byron Murphy.
Minnesota added Murphy in March 2023, its keynote signing for the defensive secondary, whose performance was later a mixed bag. PFN identified one player from each NFC North team on tap for improvement in 2024, and for the Vikings, the verdict was Murphy.
“The Minnesota Vikings signed cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. to a two-year, $22 million contract in 2023. While his first season in Minnesota certainly didn’t go according to plan, Murphy should improve in 2024,” PFN’s Anthony DiBona explained.
Murphy fired up a 58.0 grade from Pro Football Focus during his first season as a Viking, along with 97.8 passer-rating-against.
DiBona added, “The Vikings added a ton of talent on the defensive side of the ball this offseason, which should alleviate some of the pressure on Murphy at cornerback.”
Murphy, generally speaking, served as an example of the eye test not necessarily jibing with PFF scoring. Most Vikings fans, if asked, would classify him as the team’s top cornerback in 2023, so the 58.0 grade was a bit confounding in hindsight. On the other hand, Minnesota’s cornerback play, on the whole, was often awful, so when Murphy played decent, he truly stood off the page. Heading into 2024, defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ second season, the defense should seek to improve, especially the secondary. And Murphy will be vital for that task.
In June, Murphy told KSTP’s Darren Wolfson that he wanted to remain a Viking for the long haul. “I don’t think I’m going anywhere. That’s my mindset. I want to stay; I love this place,” Murphy opined. “Since I’ve been here since day one, I have fallen in love. I want to go nowhere. I want to stay here for the rest of my career. I love these guys in the locker room and the coaching—everything about this place is great. I’m going to work my ass off to stay here.”
PFN endorsed three others for NFC North improvement: Eric Stokes of the Green Bay Packers, Jameson Williams from the Detroit Lions, and Chicago Bears safety Kevin Byard.
Murphy and the Vikings kick off the regular season in 40 days at the New York Giants.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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