Bleacher Report Names “Perfect” Free Agent for Vikings
Here’s a small secret about the Minnesota Vikings this offseason: the club needs cornerbacks.
Bleacher Report Names “Perfect” Free Agent for Vikings
As it stands in late February, only Mekhi Blackmon and Dwight McGlothern are attached to the 2025 roster as possibly playable corners, meaning the impending free agency period, plus the draft in April, will likely feature the acquisition of more.
And look no further than Paulson Adebo, says Bleacher Report. BR’s Gary Davenport named a “perfect” free-agent fit for each NFL team this week, and for the Vikings, Adebo, a New Orleans Saint, got the nod.
“The Lions and Packers aren’t the only NFC North team that needs help in the secondary. Minnesota was 28th in the NFL in pass defense last year and has a number of corners, including Murphy, about to hit the open market,” Davenport explained.
The Vikings could ease the CB fears in the next two weeks by re-signing Murphy Jr., a Pro Bowler, and then general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah would really only need one more starter — which could be Adebo if Davenport has it right.
He added, “The Vikings have cash to play with in free agency: over $63 million. But the team also needs quantity almost as much as quality. Adebo shouldn’t break the bank, and the 25-year-old logged three interceptions in just seven games last year before a broken leg ended his season.”
Because of the fractured leg, Adebo’s price tag in free agency won’t be quite as high as others, like New York Jets defender D.J. Reed, for example. Adebo would fit the Adofo-Mensah mold of buying at a discount because of injury fears, a practice he utilized last offseason with outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel.
Here’s Adebo’s Pro Football Focus resume to date:
- 2024: 63.3
- 2023: 78.6
- 2022: 49.1
- 2021: 60.3
When healthy, Adebo specializes in sticky pass coverage, aggression, and a recently improved tackling acumen. His run defense might be described as one weakness through the first four seasons of his career.
If the Vikings miss out on Murphy Jr. and are not interested in Adebo, these veteran corners are scheduled to hit the open market in 12 days:
- D.J. Reed
- Charvarius Ward
- Asante Samuel Jr.
- Rasul Douglas
And one or two of these rookies might do the trick:
- Shavon Revel Jr. (East Carolina)
- Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame)
- Jahdae Barron (Texas)
- Azareye’h Thomas (Florida State)
- Trey Amos (Ole Miss)
The Vikings have over $60 million in cap space to spend on cornerbacks and other free agents.
Adebo will turn 26 this summer.
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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. 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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