NFL.com Pitches Big Name Free Agent for Vikings
The theory isn’t new, but NFL.com renewed it on Wednesday.
NFL.com has identified a high-profile free agent for the Vikings. Here’s who the player is — and how he’d fit in Brian Flores’ defense this season.
The Minnesota Vikings seem content with their current cornerback group, featuring Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, and Jeff Okudah as presumed starters. Left up to NFL.com, however, Minnesota would peel back the curtain on Asante Samuel Jr.’s free agency and onboard the young defender.
It’s the latest in a Samuel Jr. free agency saga that has lasted months.
Asante Samuel Jr. to Vikings Is the Recommendation from NFL.com
Samuel Jr.’s health is one big mystery.
NFL.com Names Asante Samuel Jr. a Fit for Vikings
Kevin Patra of NFL.com named fits for free each high-profile free agent this week, and for Samuel Jr., Minnesota got the nod.
He explained, “The comments from Asante Samuel Sr. regarding Miami persuaded me to look elsewhere for a landing spot for his son. The Vikings fit the bill. Minnesota has questions at corner outside of Pro Bowler Byron Murphy. Mekhi Blackmon is coming off a torn ACL sustained last July.”
“Jeff Okudah has never lived up to his first-round draft billing and continues to bounce around the league. And Isaiah Rodgers has started 13 games in his career (missed all of 2023 due to suspension). The 25-year-old Samuel Jr. has his detractions, including questionable tackling, but could find a fit in Brian Flores’ system. There are injury concerns with Samuel Jr., too (he missed 13 games last season), but the talent is there to take a swing.”
One might argue that if Minnesota needed another starting-caliber cornerback, it would’ve signed or drafted one by now.
A Four-Month Old Offseason Theory
Samuel Jr. to the Vikings actually accumulated momentum way back in March. A funky rumor from SKOR North connected the 25-year-old to Kevin O’Connell’s team — via a game of telephone — but nothing ever came of the hearsay.
Then, no team signed Samuel Jr., and he’s basically remained on his own free agent island for the entire offseason. Samuel Jr. in purple and gold might be a hot take for the folks at NFL.com, but this thing has marinated for quite some time.
Health Remains the Kicker for Samuel Jr.
Samuel Jr., the son of Asante Samuel Sr., a former NFLer, underwent a neck-shoulder surgery in April, explaining why no team has signed him during the first couple of free agency waves. He was supposed to get a health verdict this month, yet crickets have accompanied that theory.
Eventually, some team — maybe the Vikings — will sign Samuel Jr. to a one-year “prove it” deal.
Vikings CBs Right Now
If general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah inked Samuel Jr., he’d fit in somewhere around CB2-CB4 with this group:
- Byron Murphy Jr.
- Isaiah Rodgers
- Jeff Okudah
- Mekhi Blackmon
- Dwight McGlothern
- Ambry Thomas
- Tavierre Thomas
- Reddy Steward
- Kahlef Hailassie
- Keenan Garber
- Zemaiah Vaughn
The Vikings will keep about five or six of those players for the 53-man roster, so a Samuel Jr. signing would probably put a player like Thomas(es) near the chopping block.
Browns as an Option?
BrownsNation‘s Ernesto Cova seemed to believe Samuel Jr. was an option for Cleveland this week.
He wrote, “Samuel is a young, talented player who’s shown flashes of strong play in four seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers. However, the fact that he’s still unsigned at this point in the offseason raises some questions about his health.”
“Perhaps his shoulder injury is more serious and worrisome than originally thought, which is why teams aren’t interested in taking a chance on him right now. Then again, that’s also what could make him an intriguing pickup.”
Browns’ corner Martin Emerson Jr. also tore his Achilles this week, perhaps intensifying Cleveland’s need for another defensive back.
Cova added, “He’s not likely to demand a steep salary, and the Browns can bring him in on a “prove-it” type of deal. He has a lot of upside, and though the Browns look set in the secondary, he would arguably be an upgrade over Martin Emerson Jr., who has left plenty to be desired.”
“The Browns can afford to roll the dice on young players with high upside. They are expected to be dominant on defense again after some regression last season. Though they have the pieces they need to fulfill that goal, it never hurts to add talent and depth when it’s available at a reasonable price.”
Samuel Jr. will turn 26 in October.
You must be logged in to post a comment.