Vikings Have Top 10 Odds to Add 2 Free Agents
The Minnesota Vikings have around $26 million in cap space as of July 9th, the ninth-most funds in the NFL, with training camp 12 days away.
Vikings Have Top 10 Odds to Add 2 Free Agents
The franchise wasn’t shy about adding new players this offseason, signing over 40 free agents, rookies, and undrafted free agents since the start of March.
And according to BetOnline.ag, the Vikings have Top 10 odds to spend some of that free agent cash on two high-profile defensive free agents.
Stephon Gilmore (CB)
Vikings’ Odds to Sign Gilmore: 14 to 1
Odds Ranking in the NFL to Sign Him: 8th-Highest
Gilmore, a four-time Pro Bowler, is still waiting for his 2024 marching orders. He played for the New England Patriots from 2017 to 2020, crossing paths with the Vikings defensive coordinator Flores in 2017 and 2018.
Gilmore started all 17 games for last year’s Dallas Cowboys, recording a fantastic 74.4 Pro Football Focus grade for his troubles. 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 was fired up for a sweet 82.7 passer-rating-against in 2023, which would’ve been wonderful by Vikings cornerbacks’ standards. For now, Minnesota has playable CBs in Byron Murphy, Mekhi Blackmon, Akayleb Evans, Andrew Booth, and Griffin on the roster. Adding Gilmore or the next guy could be a cherry on top of the offseason.
Xavien Howard (CB)
Indianapolis Colts Versus Miami Dolphins At Lucas Oil Stadium In Indianapolis Sunday Nov 25, 2018
Vikings’ Odds to Sign Gilmore: 16 to 1
Odds Ranking in the NFL to Sign Him: 8th-Highest
Howard didn’t set the world on fire in 2023 — his 55.1 Pro Football Focus grade was pretty lousy — but the Vikings don’t adamantly need a lockdown defensive back. They 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 as an insurance policy and hope the 30-year-old can rekindle some of his glory days. He’s a four-time Pro Bowler and worked alongside the aforementioned Flores from 2019 to 2021 in Miami.
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 is the guy to polish the secondary. Him or Gilmore.
Minnesota ranked 32nd leaguewide in 2023 per completion percentage allowed.
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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.
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