Vikings Named a Landing Spot for Top Free Agent
The Minnesota Vikings possess about $18 million in cap space in early May, enough to sign an impact free agent or two if general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah deems fit.
Vikings Named a Landing Spot for Top Free Agent
The franchise doesn’t have many roster needs with training camp around the bend in July, but some onlookers have argued that the cornerback room could use a little love.
Well, Pro Football Focus knows just the guy: cornerback Rasul Douglas.
PFF Says Vikings for CB Rasul Douglas
PFF’s Ryan Smith sized up the NFL’s top five remaining free agents last week, connecting men like Aaron Rodgers to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Asante Samuel Jr. to the Miami Dolphins.
When he arrived at Douglas, one of the top corners on the market, he mentioned the Vikings as the best landing spot.
Smith wrote, “Douglas is coming off a disappointing season in which he ranked 102nd out of 116 qualifying cornerbacks with a 53.9 PFF overall grade. He was strong the previous three years, earning a career-best 81.0 PFF overall grade in 2023.”
“The eight-year veteran has been a ballhawk in the NFL, recording at least seven pass breakups in six different seasons and picking off 14 passes from 2021-2023. Durability is a positive in Douglas’ game, as well. He has averaged 984 snaps per season since 2022.”
Douglas is a Super Bowl champion (Philadelphia Eagles, 2017) and will turn 31 in August.
Smith added, “The Vikings will need to replace Stephon Gilmore, and Douglas is a natural fit in defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ aggressive, blitz-heavy scheme. Minnesota had just five draft picks in the draft, and none were used on a defensive back, suggesting the team was confident it could address its cornerback depth through free agency.”
Douglas as Cherry on Top of the Offseason
If Minnesota took the plunge on Douglas’ free agency, the transaction would act as a cake-topper to a busy offseason.
Adofo-Mensah used free agency in March to build his trenches, signing offensive linemen Ryan Kelly and Will Fries from the Indianapolis Colts while onboarding two defensive tackles, Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave.
The young executive also extended cornerback Byron Murphy Jr.’s contract, inked corner Isaiah Rodgers, and traded for running back Jordan Mason.
Adding Douglas would make the depth chart bulletproof, at least on paper.
Douglas’ Bio and Stats
Here’s Douglas’ NFL resume to date after joining the Eagles in 2017 as a 3rd-Round pick:
- Philadelphia Eagles (2017–2019)
- Carolina Panthers (2020)
- Las Vegas Raiders (2021)
- Houston Texans (2021)
- Arizona Cardinals (2021)
- Green Bay Packers (2021–2023)
- Buffalo Bills (2023–2024)
And his PFF grading:
- 2024: 53.9
- 2023: 81.0
- 2022: 71.1
- 2021: 74.5
- 2020: 60.2
- 2019: 52.4
- 2018: 72.5
- 2017: 64.1
The passer-rating-against:
- 2024: 122.0
- 2023: 73.1
- 2022: 88.5
- 2021: 44.5
- 2020: 108.5
- 2019: 114.2
- 2018: 98.5
Dolphins Already Chatting with Douglas?
Douglas may be a hot commodity, not exclusive to the Vikings’ would-be free-agent preferences.
Pro Football Talk‘s Josh Alper wrote last week about the Dolphins exploring Douglas’ free agency: “The Dolphins added one cornerback in the draft and it looks like they have plans to bolster the group with an older player as well.”
“General Manager Chris Grier said in a press conference on Saturday that ‘we’ve had a number of conversations with players’ when asked about signing a veteran free agent corner and Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports that the team has been in contact with Rasul Douglas.”
The veteran defensive back can likely be signed for $7 million or $8 million per year.
Alper added, “Douglas was traded from the Packers to the Bills in 2023 and he had 87 tackles, four interceptions, a sack, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries in 24 games for Buffalo.”
“The Dolphins picked Jason Marshall Jr. in the fourth round and have Jalen Ramsey, Kader Kohou, Cam Smith, Artie Burns, and Storm Duck on the roster. The team has been looking at trade options involving Ramsey, however, and pulling the trigger could lead to multiple veteran additions.”
Who Else at CB for Vikings if Not Douglas?
No one is too sure if the Vikings will sign another cornerback. Per quantity, the unit is set, with Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, Mekhi Blackmon, Jeff Okudah, and Dwight McGlothern ready and willing to hold down the fort.
But if Adofo-Mensah favored another notable option, Jack Jones (free agency), Jaire Alexander (trade), Greg Newsome II (trade), or the aforementioned Samuel Jr. (free agency) could be on the table if the Douglas to Minnesota deal doesn’t materialize.
The Vikings’ defense ranked second-best in the NFL last year per EPA/Play.
The Vikings Have a Dirty Little Secret
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