Vikings Can Start Daydreaming about One Cornerback
The Minnesota Vikings’ current cornerback room is a little jittery by most fans’ standards, even if the team is content with the four-person group.
The Vikings can start dreaming about one CB for the 2026 offseason, as a potential future target is already drawing attention as a name to watch.
And when the offseason hits in January or February, well, guess what? Minnesota will need cornerbacks. This situation will not go away any time soon.
So when Bleacher Report listed Seattle Seahawks corner Tariq Woolen among the top free agents of 2026, well, he represented a future fit for the Vikings.
Vikings Fans Can Dream about Tariq Woolen
The tall, physical corner is scheduled to hit the open market in six months.
CB Tariq Woolen on BR’s Top Free Agent List of 2026
BR’s Kristopher Knox named the league’s Top 10 free-agents-to-be this week, and Woolen checked in at No. 4.
Knox explained, “Seattle Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen was more good than great in 2024, grading out as the league’s 64th-best overall corner, according to Pro Football Focus. However, the 26-year-old is a proven playmaker who logged six interceptions as a rookie and 11 in his first three seasons.”
“Woolen will still only be 26 when 2026 free agency opens, and he’ll likely be the top young cornerback on the market — especially if he rebounds in his second season under Mike Macdonald. The early signs are encouraging. Woolen probably won’t reach the market-leading contracts of Sauce Gardner and Derick Stingley Jr. However, A.J. Terrell’s $20.3 million-per-year contract would be a realistic goal if Woolen returns to Pro Bowl form. Contract Value: Four Years, $81 Million.”
It’s worth noting that Woolen was the only cornerback on the list, not a good sign for CB-needy teams next offseason.
The Vikings … Will Probably Need a Cornerback
For now, Minnesota has these corners on the active roster:
- Byron Murphy Jr.
- Isaiah Rodgers
- Jeff Okudah
- Dwight McGlothern
And then that’s it.
Fans have talked themselves into that group perhaps performing commendably in 2025, but truth be told, it’s Minnesota’s most glaring roster weaknesses. The rest of the depth chart is Super Bowl-caliber, so long as quarterback J.J. McCarthy trends in the right direction. But cornerback is skimpy.
Many thought Minnesota would draft a cornerback in April. No such luck. It drafted zero CBs.
Woolen Perfect for the Job
Woolen is 6’4″ and 210 pounds. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores loves big cornerbacks, and if Flores sticks around for Year No. 4 in 2026, Woolen would be a seamless fit in the defensive scheme.
Here’s Woolen’s Pro Football Focus skinny:
2024: 67.9 (Coverage = 65.7)
2023: 67.1 (Coverage = 75.0)
2022: 67.1 (Coverage = 74.2)
The man is also tough, absent just three games in three seasons as a full-time starter.
Passer rating against for Woolen? Outstanding:
2024: 76.9
2023: 79.8
2022: 48.7
Just Three CBs Attached to the Books in 2026
The primary reason why Woolen will activate the Vikings’ radar is glaringly obvious. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has three corners under contract after 2025: Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, and Dwight McGlothern.
That’s not enough.
Whether from free agency or the draft, Minnesota will absolutely need a corner — probably multiple — assuming Jeff Okudah doesn’t blast off into stardom. From a bird’s-eye view of 2026 free agency, Woolen may end up as the target on the market.
Mike Evans on the List, Too
The Vikings won’t need a high-profile wide receiver in 2026, but some team could land future Hall of Famer Mike Evans, who checked in at No. 2 on the BR list behind Denver Broncos EDGE Nik Bonitto.
Knox wrote about Evans: “Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans is over a year older than Hendrickson. However, he ranks higher because, as of now, the 2026 free-agent pool will be much deeper at edge-rusher than at receiver.”
“It doesn’t hurt that Evans is a six-time Pro Bowler with 11 consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns on his resume. It also doesn’t hurt that Evans’ best traits are his size (6’5″, 231 lbs), sure hands, route-running and contested-catch ability. Evans can still be a very productive receiver, even if he’s starting to lose a little in the speed department.”
When the dust settles, Evans will likely remain in Tampa Bay. Wouldn’t it be strange to see him venture elsewhere? He feels like that much of a lifer.
Knox added, “The real question is whether Evans has any interest in playing for another team after spending his entire 11-year career in Tampa. If he doesn’t, he could be back on another relatively team-friendly contract like the two-year, $41 million deal he signed last offseason.”
“He would likely command even more if he fully capitalizes on the open market after yet another 1,000-yard season. Contract Value: Two Years, $43 Million.”
Minnesota is projected to be over $53 million underwater via the salary cap when the 2026 offseason arrives. Not fun.
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