Vikings Sign a Former Defensive Player of the Year
The first training camp practice led to Mekhi Blackmon’s departure with a season-ending knee injury. That news, in addition to Shaquill Griffin’s continued absence with an injury on his own, forced the Vikings to make various moves at the cornerback spots.
Vikings Sign a Former Defensive Player of the Year
Former Texans practice squad player Jacobi Francis was signed to give defensive coordinator Brian Flores enough bodies for practice. He is an underdog to make the 53-man roster. Bobby McCain, a former pal of Flores in Miami, was the next guy in line. The safety allowed sophomore Jay Ward to get some work with the cornerbacks.
Veteran Fabian Moreau was undoubtedly the most significant addition, as he is coming off a season in which he started for the Denver Broncos. He immediately got snaps with the first-team defense. Also added was former Cowboys third-rounder Nahshon Wright in exchange for Andrew Booth Jr.
On Sunday, however, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah reportedly signed the biggest fish on the market, acquiring Stephon Gilmore a few days after meeting with the experienced cornerback.
Adam Schefter tweeted on Sunday morning: “ESPN sources: Five-time Pro-Bowl CB Stephon Gilmore has reached an agreement in principle on a one-year deal worth up to $10 million, including $7 million guaranteed with the Minnesota Vikings. The deal was negotiated and confirmed by Gilmore’s agent Jason Chayut of SPORTSTARSNYC.”
Gilmore is a five-time Pro Bowler, a two-time first-team All-Pro, and was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2019. He had stints with the Buffalo Bills. The Bills drafted him out of South Carolina in 2012, using the tenth overall pick. Gilmore joined the division rival Patriots, where he worked with the defensive coordinator of the Vikings.
In the last three years after turning 30, he has turned into a journeyman, playing for the Panthers, the Colts, and most recently, the Cowboys.
Gilmore started all 18 games with the Cowboys last season. At age 33 (he will turn 34 next month), he is one of the oldest cornerbacks in the league and can’t be expected to play like he did in 2019.
Still, Gilmore has something left in the tank, according to his play from last year. In his 18 contests with the Cowboys, he earned a PFF grade of 71.2 on over 1,000 defensive snaps in one of the league’s best defensive units.
Before Dallas’ defense fell apart in the postseason against the Jordan Love-led Packers, Gilmore played a solid regular season. In those 17 regular season contests, according to PFF, Gilmore allowed 50 of 91 passes to be completed for 653 yards, four touchdowns, and two picks, resulting in a Desmond Ridder-like passer rating of 83.3.
Gilmore will immediately enter the starting unit opposite Byron Murphy Jr. Last year’s big signing Murphy can slide inside in nickel packages, opening the second outside spot for Akayleb Evans, Griffin, or Moreau.
The Vikings had some cap room and used half of it for Gilmore, who is still a respectable cornerback in the league despite his age. He was the best available player to fix a problematic position.
Gilmore has played in 165 career games, logging 496 tackles and 31 interceptions.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Focus and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
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Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt
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