Aug 19, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; A Minnesota Vikings helmet sits on the turf before the game against the Tennessee Titans at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.
Yesterday, the brutal news emerged that Mekhi Blackmon — a sophomore corner who could have reasonably been the CB3 — was lost for the season with a torn ACL.
Minnesota has responded with a signing. Per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, there will be another former Texan joining the Vikings: “#Vikings are signing former #Texans corner Jacobi Francis, per a league source.”
Start with the basics.
Francis is listed at 5’11”, 193. In other words, he’s not the world’s largest corner (ironically, Blackmon is a similar size). The man played in five games for Houston in 2022, picking up a single tackle. He did so on special teams because he wasn’t involved in any plays for the defense. He did, however, pickup 76 snaps for Houston’s special teams.
Prior to getting to the NFL, Francis put in work with Memphis in college. His final season occurred in 2021 when he snagged 36 tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss, 2 interceptions, and 7 passes defended. His college career involved 6 interceptions and 29 passes defended.
In 2022, Francis joined the NFL as a UDFA with the Texans. He has been with them since, only playing for Houston. The current offseason has featured no shortage of connections between the two franchises. Minnesota has added former Texans players like Jonathan Greenard, Blake Cashman, and Shaq Griffin. Meanwhile, Danielle Hunter and Stefon Diggs have been added to Houston’s roster.
Minnesota’s corner room is being led by Byron Murphy Jr. The hope was that increased depth would lead to Murphy being able to kick inside to play more slot, but things have been going poorly for Minnesota.
Most unfortunate of all — and far more important than any football depth chart — was the passing of rookie corner Khyree Jackson. He passed away in a car accident earlier in the month.
Duke Shelley got added as a way of reinforcing the depth a little bit more but then the news of Blackmon’s ACL puts the corners in a tough spot.
Behind Murphy is Shaq Griffin, Akayleb Evans, Andrew Booth Jr., Dwight McGlothern, and a few others. Griffin is considered a starter, at least at this stage of the offseason. Blackmon likely would have been the CB3 but his serious injury undermines that possibility just as training camp is getting going.
As for Francis, it’s unlikely he ascends into a spot where he could start for the Brian Flores defense. In all likelihood, he’ll be competing for a spot on the practice squad while looking to prove he can be a monster on special teams.
Minnesota’s opening game occurs on September 8th when they take on the New York Giants. Daniel Jones isn’t a great quarterback, but the secondary could have some troubles if there are more injuries.
Jacobi Francis is 25 years old. He’ll turn 26 on September 6th, a couple days before the opening game.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference, Sports Reference CFB, and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on Twitter and as a co-host for Notes from the North, a humble Vikings podcast.