What Happens if Byron Murphy Jr. … Leaves?
The Minnesota Vikings have about one week to decide if cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. will return for Year No. 3.
What Happens if Byron Murphy Jr. … Leaves?
His value skyrocketed last season after snagging 6 picks from the heavens and earning a trip to his first Pro Bowl.
And with free agency six days away, these would be the Vikings’ main options if Murphy Jr. opted not to return to the Twin Cities. They’re ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = best option).
6. Mid-Tier FA + Shaquill Griffin + Draft Pick
Assume the Vikings utterly strike out on all the men forthcoming on the list.
They could, in theory, sign a veteran like Jonathan Jones — who has ties to Brian Flores — re-up with Shaquill Griffin, and then draft Jahdae Barron (Texas) or Shavon Revel Jr. (East Carolina).
This is the least favorable outcome because it leaves a lot to chance.
5. Carlton Davis
Age: 28
2023 PFF Grade: 58.2
2024 PFF Grade: 74.5
2023 Passer Rating Against: 96.1
2024 Passer Rating Against: 77.0
Davis will be returning from a late-season injury entering the 2025 offseason. But he had a productive 2024 campaign with the Detroit Lions, and that team’s fans loved him.
This veteran corner is perhaps a bit older than Minnesota’s typical free-agent modus operandi, but as a fallback plan, Davis could excel in Brian Flores’ defense.
4. Paulson Adebo
Age: 25
2023 PFF Grade: 78.6
2024 PFF Grade: 63.3
2023 Passer Rating Against: 62.7
2024 Passer Rating Against: 71.9
There’s one big catch here with Adebo. He broke his leg last season.
Aside from that obvious detriment, Adebo can ball. And he’s the kind of player general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah might target — tremendous value returning from the gruesome injury.
Adofo-Mensah did so with Marcus Davenport in 2023 — that failed — and Andrew Van Ginkel in 2024 — that did not fail.
4. Jaire Alexander — Somehow
Age: 28
2023 PFF Grade: 75.2
2024 PFF Grade: 70.2
2023 Passer Rating Against: 113.4
2024 Passer Rating Against: 86.9
This long-time Vikings foe is apparently on the trade block. It would be a bit strange for Minnesota and Green Bay to conduct trade business for such a high-profile player, but if the Packers released the two-time All-Pro, well, all’s fair in love and war.
3. Charvarius Ward
Age: 28
2023 PFF Grade: 82.6
2024 PFF Grade: 56.2
2023 Passer Rating Against: 64.5
2024 Passer Rating Against: 116.6
Ward experienced a quiet season in 2024 by his usually lofty standards, which may have driven his price tag down.
Still, not too many proven veteran cornerbacks will hit the open market, and if Minnesota wants a battle-tested option, it’s Ward (if not the last guy on this list).
Before 2024, Ward routinely produced 80.0+ PFF seasons and acted as one of the NFL’s top defensive backs. The man was 2nd-Team All-Pro and a Pro Bowler in 2023.
2. The Denzel Ward Trade
This Ward — the Browns’ version — is a four-time Pro Bowler and would instantly upgrade Minnesota’s cornerback situation. He’ll turn 28 in April.
Bleacher Report published the Ward-to-Vikings trade theory last month. You can read about it here.
Minnesota would basically sell its 24th overall pick for a proven commodity, Ward.
1. D.J. Reed
Age: 28
2023 PFF Grade: 77.9
2024 PFF Grade: 70.7
2023 Passer Rating Against: 81.6
2024 Passer Rating Against: 87.1
Grabbing him in March won’t be easy, but 25 other teams also don’t have the same spending power as Minnesota. Reed told Go Long’s Tyler Dunne in December, “I’m ready to go to free agency, bro. I’m ready to see what’s next for me.”
Here’s his whole Pro Football Focus resume:
- 2024: 70.7
- 2023: 77.9
- 2022: 72.5
- 2021: 78.6
- 2020: 75.2
- 2019: 75.1
- 2018: 66.5
This man is the gold standard among free-agent CBs this offseason.
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 Vikings 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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