Vikings Urged to Sign Veteran Defender
The Minnesota Vikings probably won’t sign any new players from free agency until after the NFL draft, which is one week away.
Vikings Urged to Sign Veteran Defender
If they signed one before or during the draft, the transaction would almost certainly cancel a 2026 compensatory draft pick, possibly a 3rd- or 4th-Rounder gained from Daniel Jones’ free-agent departure to the Indianapolis Colts.
But after that faux moratorium, Pro Football Network claims the Vikings should sign veteran cornerback Mike Hilton.
PFN Says Mike Hilton for Vikings
PFN’s Mark Stolte recommended one free agent per team this week as a cake-topper for the offseason, and for the Vikings, Hilton stole the show.
Stolte wrote, “For yet another team, Mike Hilton makes sense as a free-agent signing. The Minnesota Vikings have Byron Murphy Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers to play on the outside at corner but lack the players for the slot position. While Murphy is more than capable of playing both, I would prefer to keep him on the outside and slot Hilton on the inside. This is because there aren’t many outside corners worth taking in free agency.”
PFN also claimed teams like the Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons should add Hilton, so the relationship wasn’t necessarily exclusive in Stolte’s estimation.
Mike Hilton’s NFL Resume
Hilton turned 31 last month and will enter his ninth NFL season in September — with some team. The Jacksonville Jaguars found him as an undrafted free-agent gem in 2016, and he played for the Pittsburgh Steelers in four seasons after failing to catch on in Jacksonville and New England.
Here’s his playing resume to date:
- Jacksonville Jaguars (2016)
- New England Patriots (2016)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (2016–2020)
- Cincinnati Bengals (2021–2024)
And his scorecard from Pro Football Focus:
- 2024: 75.9
- 2023: 77.4
- 2022: 67.1
- 2021: 70.2
- 2020: 63.7
- 2019: 67.7
- 2018: 69.9
- 2017: 83.1
Don’t forget the passer-rating-against:
- 2024: 92.0
- 2023: 66.5
- 2022: 78.8
- 2021: 99.8
- 2020: 60.2
- 2019: 84.8
- 2018: 82.2
Hilton is one of the league’s top blitzing cornerbacks, a trait that would blend masterfully in defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ scheme.
Steelers Reunion in Play
The Athletic‘s Mike DeFabo recently mentioned a reunion contract for Hilton in Pittsburgh. He wrote last month, “Hilton created the mold for the ideal Steelers slot corner. With his well-timed blitzes, aggressive playing style and nose for the football, he wreaked havoc in the backfield before bolting in 2021 for a better opportunity with the Bengals.”
“The star-driven Steelers defenses of recent years have often been missing strong supporting cast members. While Hilton is now 31 and not as dependable in coverage, he’s still physical as ever and should be on the Steelers’ radar.”
Between PFN’s bevy of teams that should pursue Hilton, plus The Athletic‘s nomination of the Steelers, Hilton could be a hot commodity after the draft for teams that swing and miss at cornerback. Stay tuned.
Non-Hilton CB Options after Draft
Otherwise, Hilton is not a standalone alternative at cornerback for the Vikings.
The team has been connected rather intensely to Asante Samuel Jr. in the rumor mill this month. The Green Bay Packers could release Jaire Alexander after the draft if they fail to find a trade partner. And the Las Vegas Raiders dropped Jack Jones slightly over a week ago, and the Vikings have had an eye on Jones for a few years.
Hilton is merely a part of the sampler platter.
What if Vikings Draft a CB?
The obvious goal? Solidifying the long-term cornerback need in the draft. Minnesota could select Texas’ Jahdae Barron in one week with its 24th overall pick. Some fringe theorists have claimed that Michigan’s Will Johnson could experience a draft night tumble.
Other late-Round-1 or early-Round-2 corners like Shavon Revel Jr., Benjamin Morrison, Azaraeye’h Thomas, Maxwell Hairston, and Trey Amos should be gettable for general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah if his priority is a cornerback.
Hilton’s next contract will likely be worth about $10 million per season. The Vikings already showcase notable corners Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, Mekhi Blackmon, Jeff Okudah, and Dwight McGlothern on their roster.
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