Our Predictions for the Vikings’ 2 Starting CBs in 2025
The NFL’s free agency period is about three weeks away, and the Minnesota Vikings must find two starting cornerbacks to accompany Mekhi Blackmon and Dwight McGlothern in 2025.
Vikings Predictions: The 2 Starting Cornerbacks in 2025
The CB fix could arrive from free agency, the 2025 NFL draft, or both.
So, we asked all VikingsTerritory writers to name the starting CB1-CB2 combo by the time the calendar hits September.
These are their answers.
1. Byron Murphy Jr. & Mekhi Blackmon
Prediction Maker: Cole Smith
The team still needs to address cornerback this offseason to help with depth, but Murphy earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2024 and is familiar with Flores’ system. Blackmon showed flashes as a rookie in 2023, and if he can come back strong from his ACL tear, I believe he has a leg up on the competition.
2. Byron Murphy Jr. & Shavon Revel Jr.
Prediction Maker: Josh Frey
Murphy should be the top priority for the Vikings in free agency, but they still need to bring in additional help. Shavon Revel Jr. suffered an ACL tear in September, but his potential and competitive spirit are sky-high and something the Vikings should want to bring into their organization.
3. Byron Murphy Jr. & Jonathan Jones
Prediction Maker: Adam New
It will take a hefty contract to bring back Byron Murphy Jr. after the best season of his career in 2024. With that in mind, the Vikings once again go for an experience that shouldn’t break the bank on the opposite side — Jonathan Jones.
4. D.J. Reed & Paulson Adebo
Prediction Maker: Janik Eckardt
The Vikings have to upgrade their cornerback room to get the most out of Brian Flores’ scheme, especially the acquisition of cornerbacks with the ability to play man coverage could go a long way.
Reed has been excellent for years and, at the age of 28, can be Minnesota’s top cornerback for three-plus years.
Adebo was fantastic in the last couple of seasons but missed most of 2024 with a broken femur. That injury opens the door for Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to sign him as a bargain. That strategy worked quite well with Andrew Van Ginkel a year ago.
5. D.J. Reed & Azareye’h Thomas
Prediction Maker: Henrique Gucciardi
After Murphy Jr. walks in free agency, the Vikings sign D.J. Reed as the new CB1. They then add more youth to the CB room, with rookie Azareye’h Thomas from Florida State starting alongside Reed.
t6. Byron Murphy Jr. & Paulson Adebo
Prediction Maker: Dustin Baker
Paulson Adebo is the quintessential type of player that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah would pursue in free agency, with his price tag lowered because of a broken leg in 2024.
When his leg isn’t broken, the man is a phenomenal defender. He’ll be available for about half the price of D.J. Reed, for example, so the Vikings will pair Adebo with Byron Murphy Jr., who they’ll hopefully re-sign.
Murphy Jr. has not been shy about proclaiming his ardor for the Vikings as an organization. He wants to return.
t6. Byron Murphy Jr. & Paulson Adebo
Prediction Maker: Wes Johnson
Thinking that the Vikings get a slight discount with BMJ to return to Minnesota after a career year. Adebo matches the profile Kwesi Adofo-Mensah prefers to go puruse, a productive young (25 years old) player coming off a down/injury-riddled season
t7. D.J. Reed & Byron Murphy Jr.
Prediction Maker: Kyle Joudry
In Week 1 of the 2025 season, the Vikings will have Byron Murphy Jr. and D.J. Reed as the top pair of corners.
t7. D.J. Reed & Byron Murphy Jr.
Prediction Maker: Ted Schwerzler
Minnesota brings Murphy Jr. back and uses some of their cap space on D.J. Reed.
t7. D.J. Reed & Byron Murphy Jr.
Prediction Maker: Ali Siddiqui
Both will be spendy, but the Vikings have the cap space and will create more to add both.
t7. D.J. Reed & Byron Murphy Jr.
Prediction Maker: Brevan Bane
Minnesota spends some money this offseason on extending Murphy Jr. and signing Reed from the Jets in free agency.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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