It’s Time for the Vikings to Make 2 Phone Calls
On July 6th, Minnesota Vikings rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson tragically passed away in a Maryland accident, a seismically sad blow to the organization.
It’s Time for the Vikings to Make 2 Phone Calls
Eighteen days later, second-year cornerback Mekhi Blackmon, who authored a wonderful rookie season in 2023, tore his ACL and will miss all of the 2024 campaign.
For context, following the Jackson tragedy and Blackmon injury, these are the Vikings cornerbacks on the current roster:
- Byron Murphy
- Akayleb Evans
- Shaquill Griffin
- Andrew Booth
- Duke Shelley
- NaJee Thompson
- Jaylin Williams
- A.J. Green III
- Dwight McGlothern
The franchise needs one more proven or playable corner unless Duke Shelley has another 2022 season up his sleeve. These are two free agents to explore.
Stephon Gilmore (CB)
Gilmore, a four-time Pro Bowler, is patiently hanging out somewhere, waiting for his next employer to call. That team should be of the purple persuasion. He played for the New England Patriots from 2017 to 2020, crossing paths with the Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores in 2017 and 2018.
Gilmore started all 17 games for last year’s Dallas Cowboys, recording a phenomenal 74.4 Pro Football Focus grade. If he signed with the Vikings — or almost any other team — it would represent five teams in five seasons for the 31-year-old.
Here’s his NFL resume to date:
- Buffalo Bills (2012–2016)
- New England Patriots (2017–2020)
- Carolina Panthers (2021)
- Indianapolis Colts (2022)
- Dallas Cowboys (2023)
He registered for a commendable 82.7 passer-rating-against in 2023, which would’ve been terrific by Vikings cornerbacks’ standards. For now, Minnesota has playable CBs in Byron Murphy, Akayleb Evans, Andrew Booth, and Griffin on the roster. Adding Gilmore or the next guy would’ve been a cherry on top of the offseason a month ago, and after Jackson’s death and Blackmon’s season-ending ACL tear, maybe a savior.
Xavien Howard (CB)
Howard didn’t play all that well in 2023 — his 55.1 Pro Football Focus grade was pretty blah — but the Vikings don’t need a lockdown defensive back. They just need a veteran defender to help patrol the secondary while the other corners mature and develop, especially if Gilmore doesn’t sign with Minnesota.
The Vikings could sign Howard to remedy their current plight and hope the 30-year-old can rediscover some glory days. Howard is a four-time Pro Bowler who worked alongside the aforementioned Flores in Miami from 2019 to 2021.
Howard was formally released this offseason with a post-June 1st designation, meaning Miami will absorb the savings benefit this summer. However, Howard can sign anywhere in the NFL, and if the Vikings are serious about fixing the secondary, this can be it. Gilmore first as the priority; Howard secondarily.
Otherwise, Minnesota will merely have to hope Booth, Evans, McGlothern, and Shelley are ready for gameday after Murphy and Griffin as sturdier options at the top of the depth chart.
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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