Former Vikings CB Finds a New Home
Ex-Minnesota Vikings cornerback Fabian Moreau has landed on his feet.
Ex-Vikings CB Fabian Moreau has landed with a new team, marking the next chapter in his career after time in Minnesota. Here’s the latest and what it means for the 49ers.
The veteran defensive back had signed nowhere through five months of free agency, a drought solved by the San Francisco 49ers.
For at least a few weeks, Moreau will work for Kyle Shanahan’s enterprise.
Cornerback from Vikings’ 2024 Finds Employment
It’s the NFC West for Fabian Moreau.
CB Fabian Moreau Picks the 49ers
While offloading former Vikings kicker Greg Joseph, San Francisco signed Moreau, an eight-year NFL veteran.
NBC Sports Bay Area‘s Vince Lontz wrote Monday, “Third-year kicker Jake Moody can let out a sigh of relief. Greg Joseph, Moody’s competition at the position, was released this morning along with four other players.”
“San Francisco announced it signed defensive linemen Bradlee Anae, Bruce Hector, safety Jaylen Mahoney, cornerback Fabian Moreau and offensive lineman Isaiah Prince to one year-contracts. In order to make room on the roster, the team waived corner Tre Avery, wide receiver Isaiah Neyor, quarterback Tanner Mordecai, tight end Mason Pline and released Joseph.”
And just like that, Moreau is gainfully employed.
The 49ers’ CB Room, Updated
Here’s where Moreau will fit on the 49ers’ depth chart with the preseason mere days away:
- Deommodore Lenoir
- Renardo Green
- Upton Stout
- Eli Apple
- Darrell Luter Jr.
- Tre Brown
- Dallis Flowers
- Fabian Moreau
- Siran Neal
- Jakob Robinson
- Chase Lucas
- Derrick Canteen
- Tre Tomlinson (IR)
San Francisco will probably keep five or six of those men, so Moreau must climb the depth chart a few spots in three weeks.
Moreau with the Vikings in 2024
Moreau appeared in seven Vikings games last season, starting none, and banking 102 defensive snaps, with an extra 56 on special teams. On defense, he got more run when Stephon Gilmore hit the shelf for two games and wound up posting a 119.2 passer-rating-against, which is less than ideal.
Pro Football Focus graded Moreau with a 63.1 mark for his troubles. If he can muster a 60.0+ grade with San Francisco this season, that would be music to Shanahan’s ears, as the 49ers’ cornerbacks are a bit sketchy on paper.
Roster Outlook for Moreau
Moreau faces the sneaky prospect of swiping a CB5 or CB6 job in San Francisco, mainly because he has 97 games worth of NFL experience, including 56 starts. He played somewhat decently for Minnesota in 2024, and at 31, he should have a couple of seasons left in the tank.
If Shanahan does not keep him for the active roster, a practice squad reservation in San Francisco or elsewhere would make sense. As recently as 2021, Moreau started 16 games for the Atlanta Falcons. He’s not a totally fringe roster-spot guy.
Minnesota has since replaced Moreau with cornerbacks Isaiah Rodgers, Jeff Okudah, and undrafted free agent Zemaiah Vaughn. So, too, has Mekhi Blackmon returned to full health after missing all of last season.
More on the 49ers
In related 49ers news, ESPN ranked the 49ers’ coaching staff the NFL’s third-best last week.
Ben Solak explained, “The 49ers had a weird defensive coaching arrangement last season. Nick Sorensen, who had alternated between coordinating special teams and coaching defensive backs in his career, was the titular defensive coordinator.”
“But assistant head coach Brandon Staley had a heavy hand in introducing new fronts and coverages to the tried-and-true Legion of Boom-inspired defense the 49ers had run successfully for years. The blend never took. Sorensen and Staley are with different teams now, as the 49ers sprinted back to the warm embrace of Saleh and the Pete Carroll system.”
The defense checked in at No. 26 in 2024 per EPA/Play, a stark departure from Shanahan’s usual modus operandi.
Solak continued, “Saleh is an exemplary defensive coach who has tailored his approach around both his personnel and the unique matchups of opposing offenses across his time in San Francisco and New York. In his 2½ seasons with the Jets, they ranked first in points per drive, first in EPA per play and third in defensive success rate. He has the juice.”
“The 49ers’ defense is on my short list for ‘units about to take a massive leap in 2025.’ Here’s another reason for coaching staff optimism in San Francisco: It kept an offensive assistant this year! For 2025, Klay Kubiak was promoted to coordinator after a season as passing game specialist.”
Moreau will learn his 53-man roster fate in about three weeks.
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