Vikings Predicted to Sign Sweet Free Agent
The Minnesota Vikings are in the middle of a de facto moratorium via signing new free agents, as adding impact veterans could wipe out one of the team’s 2026 compensatory draft picks.
Vikings Predicted to Sign Sweet Free Agent
For example, if general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah signed a backup quarterback like Joe Flacco today for medium money, that move would cost the team a 4th- or 5th-Round draft pick next season, canceling the compensatory pick on deck for Daniel Jones’ departure to the Indianapolis Colts.
However, after the draft, Minnesota can sign free agents at will, and according to Bleacher Report, the purple team will end up with veteran cornerback Mike Hilton, formerly of the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Mike Hilton Recommendation from Bleacher Report
BR’s Brad Gagnon predicted landing spots for 10 free agents left on the board this offseason. For example, he wisely connected Aaron Rodgers to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the odds-on favorite to secure his services.
When he came across Hilton, a 31-year-old defensive back, Minnesota got the nod. “Where he could land: Even with Byron Murphy Jr returning., the contending Vikings simply lack talent and depth at corner. An experienced and not-too-expensive addition like Hilton would be huge. They could use him in a multitude of ways,’ Gagnon wrote.
“Why he’s one of the best available: One of the top slot cover men of the last decade, the former Steeler and Bengal can still offer plenty with his experience and could even excel with a move to safety.”
If the 2025 season kicked off today, the Vikings would primarily feature Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, Mekhi Blackmon, and Jeff Okudah at cornerback.
Gagnon added, “Why he’s still available: Also 31 and beyond his prime at a position that hasn’t generated great supply-and-demand dynamics in free agency, Hilton is waiting for the right opportunity after the Bengals apparently saw that the younger and cheaper Dax Hill could move into his former role.”
The Hilton Fit … Makes Sense
Minnesota’s defensive boss, Brian Flores, blitzes more than any coordinator in the sport. And that’s not an exaggeration.
Cincinnati deployed Hilton as a blitzer quite frequently in the last four seasons, so his addition to the Vikings’ roster would feel like a natural fit.
Hilton also excelled at stopping the run last season, ranking as the very best in the NFL among all cornerbacks, according to Pro Football Focus, with a 91.7 run defense grade.
Overall, PFF called Hilton the league’s 23rd-best corner and assigned a 75.9 grade in 2024. Not bad.
Hilton Theory Void if Minnesota Drafts CB
Whether Minnesota needs a cornerback in early April is debatable. The room has enough youth in Murphy Jr., Rodgers, Blackmon, Okudah, and even Dwight McGlothern to succeed next year and beyond — but that’s only if all men live up to their top potential.
For example, Rodgers and Okudah probably won’t turn into home run signings as a duo, and if one struck out, well, it would be favorable to have a veteran in the house, not unlike Stephon Gilmore or Shaquill Griffin last year.
What’s more, the Vikings live in an advantageous spot to draft a cornerback in three weeks. Jahdae Barron (Texas), Shavon Revel Jr. (East Carolina), Maxwell Hairston (Kentucky), Trey Amos (Mississippi), Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame), and Azaraeye’h Thomas (Florida State) will be available to Adofo-Mensah, especially if he trades down the draftboard (excluding Barron via trade down).
In that scenario, Hilton wouldn’t be needed.
Other CB Options if Not Hilton
Hilton isn’t the only option for post-draft free agency. The Vikings could explore Asante Samuel Jr., who lives thick in the current purple rumor mill. Rasul Douglas is unsigned. Jaire Alexander might be dropped by the Green Bay Packers.
Or — Minnesota could dial up the aforementioned Gilmore or Griffin again for reunion contracts.
Hilton, though, has the Flores scheme-fit advantage.
Improving a Fantastic Defense
Minnesota’s defense ranked second in 2024 per EPA/Play. Only the Denver Broncos performed better.
So, Flores and the gang will start from a point of strength, particularly after adding defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave in March. In some past Vikings seasons — not long ago — the club still needed to fill roster holes at this point on the calendar, but that’s not the case in 2025.
Hilton would be insurance or gravy.
Isaiah Rodgers’ Time Otherwise
If Hilton doesn’t fulfill the Bleacher Report prophecy, and Minnesota fails to grab Barron or Revel Jr., for example, in the draft, the team may just have big plans for Isaiah Rodgers, a corner signed three weeks ago.
Kevin O’Connell said this week that Flores “had a tone in voice” when speaking about Rodgers, indicating that the new Viking isn’t some role player or “maybe” commodity. Fans should brace for an every-down role regarding Rodgers, or at least something similar.
Hilton’s next contract will likely fetch between $10 million and $12 million per season. Adofo-Mensah has about $17 million at his disposal for free agents, which can climb rather easily if he restructures some existing veterans’ contracts.
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