Vikings Fans Fall in Love with New Free Agent Target
The Minnesota Vikings haven’t quite solved their cornerback problem since Xavier Rhodes slowed down and left the franchise five years ago.
Vikings Fans Fall in Love with New Free Agent Target
The cornerback solutions since Rhodes’ departure haven’t been horrible, but none have knocked it out of the park, especially via the draft.
So, when cornerback Jack Jones became available this week, Vikings fans quickly fell in love.
Jack Jones Released by Raiders
Las Vegas Review Journal‘s Vincent Bonsignore wrote Monday, “The Raiders waived cornerback Jack Jones on Monday after failing to find a trade partner for him. The move saves the team $3.4 million in cap space. Jones will be a free agent if he clears waivers.”
“The Raiders claimed Jones, 27, off waivers from the Patriots late in the 2023 season. The driving force behind the decision was then-interim coach Antonio Pierce, who coached Jones in high school at Long Beach Poly in California and college at Arizona State. Jones, listed at 5 feet, 11 inches and 175 pounds, was New England’s fourth-round pick in 2022.”
And that’s a wrap on Jones’ tenure in Las Vegas. He’ll hit waivers, and if unclaimed, the 27-year-old can sign anywhere in the league.
ESPN’s Ryan McFadden wrote about the Raiders’ upcoming CB plans: “Expect the Raiders to use this month’s draft to improve their depth at cornerback. Las Vegas could target Michigan cornerback Will Johnson in the first round. Meanwhile, players such as Maxwell Hairston (Kentucky) and Trey Amos (Ole Miss) could be potential Day 2 picks.”
Jack Jones’ History and Stats
The New England Patriots pulled Jones from Round 4 of the 2022 NFL Draft, an Arizona State alumnus. He played 18 games as a Patriot, with two starts, and was cut loose in November 2023. The Raiders pounced, and Jones remained attached to Las Vegas’ depth chart for a season and a half.
Here’s Jones’ Pro Football Focus production:
- 2024: 53.9
- 2023: 71.6
- 2022: 74.7
And his passer-rating against:
- 2024: 98.5
- 2023: 75.0
- 2022: 64.8
Jones is known for sweet pass-rushing skills, by a cornerback’s standards, pretty decent coverage on wide receivers, and poor tackling. That’s his modus operandi through three NFL campaigns. He’s actually one of the NFL’s worst tackling corners.
But if Minnesota wants a coverage asset, it could do a lot worse than Jones.
Previous Interest from the Vikings
This is the primary reason why Vikings fans believe Jones could be an option for the purple team:
A tweet from Field Yates a year and a half ago, Minnesota’s front office evidently wanted Jones after his release from New England, and the Vikings still employ the same defensive boss, Brian Flores. If the franchise saw something in Jones then, why not now? That’s the working theory.
Compensatory Draft Pick Formula? No Problem.
If Jones clears waivers, Minnesota can sign him immediately and be unafraid of sullying its 2026 compensatory draft pick formula. Most believe that general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is waiting until after the draft to sign a backup quarterback, for example, because at that time, newly signed free agents will not cancel compensatory selections.
Minnesota could have up to three extra compensatory picks in April 2026. Two are in the bag, almost for sure.
All the Viable Extra CB Options
In addition to Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, and Mekhi Blackmon on the current depth chart as prospective starters, Minnesota could end up with one of these cornerbacks before the start of the regular season:
- Asante Samuel Jr. (free agency)
- Jaire Alexander (could be released)
- Jahdae Barron (draft)
- Shavon Revel Jr. (draft)
- Maxwell Hairston (draft)
- Azaraeye’h Thomas (draft)
- Trey Amos (draft)
- Benjamin Morrison (draft)
There’s also a world where Minnesota is completely content with its current setup. Jeff Okudah and Dwight McGlothern are also on the roster.
But fans have labeled Jones a free-agent target.
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