Vikings Lose Out as Dolphins Steal Two Free Agents
Some plentiful debates have occurred about the Minnesota Vikings’ need for an extra cornerback.
The Dolphins signed two free agents over the weekend, swiping potential targets off the board for the Vikings. Here’s what it means for Minnesota’s depth and defensive strategy.
The team appears ready to let Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, and Jeff Okudah handle the starting jobs, but compared to other Super Bowl contenders, it’s up in the air if that trio passes the test.
So, fans have monitored the free-agent CB wire for a few months. And thanks to the Miami Dolphins last weekend, two notable corners are off the board.
Mike Hilton, Jack Jones Choose Dolphins
Miami beefed up its cornerback room pretty substantially over the weekend.
CB Mike Hilton Off the Board
Hilton might’ve been the top target for the Vikings — if Minnesota wanted another CB in the first place.
NBC Sports‘ Josh Alper wrote Saturday, “The Dolphins doubled up on experienced additions to their cornerback corps on Saturday. Agent Drew Rosenhaus said that his client Mike Hilton has agreed to terms with the team.”
“Hilton spent the last four seasons with the Bengals and his first four seasons with the Steelers. He had 73 tackles and an interception last season and has 520 tackles, 13 interceptions, 11.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and six fumble recoveries for his career.”
The blitz-happy defensive back from the Steelers is off the board, choosing Miami for his 2025 landing spot. He had previously marinated in the Vikings’ rumor mill for about four months.
Jack Jones to Miami, Too
Shortly before the Hilton news, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted, “Free-agent CB Jack Jones, who started 16 games last season for the Raiders, is signing a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins, per source. Jones now returns to the AFC East, where he used to start for the Patriots in 2022-’23.”
Minnesota hosted Jones for a pre-draft visit a few years ago, and when the New England Patriots cut Jones in 2023, the Vikings put in a waiver claim.
None of that, though, was enough evidence for general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to take the plunge on his 2025 free agency.
Vikings Cornerbacks As Is
Therefore, Minnesota is left with this CB group at training camp, which will dwindle to five or six names late next month:
> Byron Murphy Jr.
> Isaiah Rodgers
> Mekhi Blackmon
> Jeff Okudah
> Dwight McGlothern
> Ambry Thomas
> Tavierre Thomas
> Zemaiah Vaughn
> Reddy Steward
> Kahlef Hailassie
> Keenan Garber
It’s in the eye of the beholder to decide if that group is productive enough on paper.
The Remaining Free Agent Options at CB
Suppose Minnesota encounters another injury at training camp or in the preseason, as it did in 2024 when Mekhi Blackmon tore his ACL and Adofo-Mensah flocked to free agency for veteran Stephon Gilmore.
These are the remaining free-agent options after Miami removed Hilton and Jones from the market:
- James Bradberry
- Kendall Fuller
- Stephon Gilmore
- C.J. Henderson
- Rasul Douglas
- Asante Samuel Jr.
Samuel Jr. is arguably the most fascinating left, but no one knows in late July if his health is intact. It’s a grand mystery.
More Dolphins Context
DolphinsTalk.com‘s Jackson Buhler opined on the Jones + Hilton additions: “While they are not the best at their positions in the league, Jones and Hilton should allow the rest of Miami’s defense to thrive, as it was quietly a top unit in the NFL in the back half of last season.”
“Miami just needs the duo to be adequate so that pass rushers like Bradley Chubb, Chop Robinson, Jaelan Phillips, Jordyn Brooks, and Zach Sieler can get after the quarterback. Before these two additions, defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver had to hope that his scheme would help his front seven get to the opposing quarterback in two seconds or less or else it would be tough for his coverage guys on the back end to hold up.”
Miami’s defense ranked eighth in the NFL last year per EPA/Play, six spots below Minnesota.
Buhler added, “That should not be the case anymore. Jones and Hilton, with their coverage skills, should help the front seven and even help the safety play as well, as Fitzpatrick, Davis, and Melifonwu should not have to spend so much time bracketing receivers. For Fitzpatrick, this is especially big as he is at his best when he is playing the ‘robber’ or ‘thief’ role in the defense, where he can sit in the middle of the defense and pick off crossing routes and slants.”
“All in all, the additions of Jack Jones and Mike Hilton were very wise.”
Minnesota will play Miami again in 2026.
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