This Possible Cut from Tampa Bay Could Help the Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings’ roster currently looks pretty spiffy after a successful free agency and NFL draft that notably welcomed offensive guard Donovan Jackson from Ohio State.
Bleacher Report named a Buccaneers cornerback, Jamel Dean, as a cut candidate for 2025. If he’s dropped, the Vikings could be a smart landing spot for all parties.
Some believe, however, that Minnesota should sign or trade for one more cornerback to absolutely guarantee that the club has no roster weaknesses.
Well, if Bleacher Report has it right — say no more.
CB Jamel Dean Could Be on the Chopping Block
BR’s Alex Kay sized up five high-profile cut candidates around the NFL, and at the top of his list, Tampa Bay Buccaneers corner Jamel Dean led the way.
Kay wrote, “Dean is due to make $12.5 million in base salary in 2025, the penultimate season of the four-year, $52 million extension he inked ahead of the 2023 season. If the Bucs want to free up more than the $30 million in cap room they currently have available, cutting Dean would provide $12.9 million in immediate financial relief while only incurring $2.3 million in dead money.”
“While he is far from the highest-paid corner in the NFL, his contract is quite weighty given his injury history (he missed a career-high five games last year) and regression in skill. Dean conceded a career-high 69.7 percent completion rate in 2024 and allowed a concerning 66.1 percent completion rate the season prior.”
Until the BR revelation, most NFL fans didn’t know that Dean could be cut loose.
Kay continued, “Those marks are well above the 54.2 percent completion rate he posted over the first four years of his career meaning it could be time for Tampa to part ways with the soon-to-be 29-year-old. While the financial incentives are strong, the Buccaneers also have plenty of reason to move on from Dean after landing two potential replacements in Benjamin Morris and Jacob Parrish on Day 2 of the 2025 draft.”
“A change of scenery could do Dean well. He’s still on the right side of 30 and is just over two years removed from signing a sizable extension commensurate with his contributions. Any team lacking veteran depth should be interested in bringing Dean aboard if the Bucs part ways with the corner.”
Regarding his possible change of scenery, the Vikings should be at the front of the line if a roster release came to fruition.
If Jamel Dean Becomes Available, the Vikings Must Act
Dean is one of the NFL’s most consistent corners, and if Bleacher Report is even remotely right about Dean, failing to explore his free agency would be malpractice.
Mission: Pounce on Jamel Dean if Applicable
It still seems like a long shot for the Buccaneers to end the Dean era. The guy is phenomenal. Here’s his Pro Football Focus resume since turning pro in 2019:
- 2024: 75.7
- 2023: 74.3
- 2022: 77.9
- 2021: 71.8
- 2020: 76.4
- 2019: 76.4
A beacon of consistency, the theory must lean heavily on the idea that rookie Benjamin Morrison can do Dean’s job on a smaller salary.
Otherwise, why the hell dump a player with consistent 70.0+ PFF grades over the last six years? The Vikings should immediately sign Dean if Kay’s theory plays out.
The Cap Space Is Available
Moreover, the Vikings have the cap space for such a maneuver. The team received a bump at the beginning of June when departed center Garrett Bradbury’s money rolled off the books. Josh Oliver’s recent extension also freed up space.
As of June 25th, Minnesota has about $24 million to spend on free agents or trades — more than enough to ink Dean if he hits the open market.
The Would-Be CB Room for Vikings
And that would set up a dazzling cornerback room like this in Minnesota:
- Byron Murphy Jr.
- Jamel Dean
- Isaiah Rodgers
- Mekhi Blackmon
- Jeff Okudah
- Dwight McGlothern
Most fans’ reservations about the cornerback room’s oomph would fall by the wayside.
Other Cut Candidates from Bleacher Report
Kay also mentioned a few other roster cut possibilities: Taysom Hill from the New Orleans Saints, Kendrick Bourne of the New England Patriots, and tackle Trey Pipkins from the Los Angeles Chargers.
Additionally, running back Austin Ekeler made the naughty list: “Ekeler provides strong value in the return game as well. He earned second-team All-Pro honors for his special teams work last year, finishing No. 3 in the league with 594 yards on 19 kick returns.”
“Although giving up his veteran savvy, pass-catching abilities and return contributions won’t be easy, Ekeler is ultimately replaceable with seventh-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt now in Washington’s backfield mix. The team would gain over $3.4 million in cap savings while only taking a meager $1.5 million in dead money on by releasing Ekeler.”
The Vikings might add an extra RB3 at the end of the summer after roster cutdowns. Ekeler wouldn’t be the worst idea in the world.
“Don’t expect Ekeler to linger on the market too long if he’s released. The back still has some tread left on his tires and could shine in a pass-heavy scheme while also working as a kick returner,” Kay concluded.
Dean is just 28 years old. A few years of his prime production left. It’s also worth noting that Tampa Bay getting rid of him would quite strange.
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