A Standout Cornerback Just Became Available to the Vikings
Trevon Diggs is on the move again, released by the Green Bay Packers this week, and free to sign anywhere in the NFL if not claimed off waivers, which is not expected. In theory, if the Minnesota Vikings wish to complete their cornerback shopping early, they could scoop Diggs and be done with it.
Diggs brings ball skills and name value, and Minnesota still needs one more starting-level cornerback for 2026.
Diggs experienced a tumultuous year in 2025, released by the Dallas Cowboys in December and scooped by the Packers for Week 18 and the Wildcard Round of the postseason. He didn’t last long in Green Bay.
Diggs Would Be a Real CB1 or CB2 Level Swing for Vikings
The guy is gettable if the Vikings are in the mood.
Diggs Dropped by GB
Diggs is out. ESPN’s Rob Demovsky wrote Tuesday, “Former Pro Bowl cornerback Trevon Diggs was released by the Green Bay Packers on Tuesday after playing just two games and 34 snaps for them this season. The Packers claimed Diggs off waivers from the Dallas Cowboys on Dec. 31 after they lost a pair of cornerbacks to injuries the previous week.”
“Diggs started and played 33 snaps in the regular-season finale against the Minnesota Vikings but was not used in a prominent role during the wild-card playoff loss to the Chicago Bears the following week. He played just one defensive snap in that game. It’s possible the Packers could bring Diggs back, but they were never going to keep him under the contract they inherited from the Cowboys. Cornerback is expected to be one of the team’s biggest needs this offseason.”
Two games for Diggs in Green Bay — that’s it.
Why the Vikings Could Act
Minnesota enters 2026 with two viable starting cornerbacks under contract in Byron Murphy Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers. Both stayed healthy in 2025 and played well enough to keep the unit functional. Brian Flores’ defense basically got away with skinny cornerback depth, so much so that the group ranked third in the NFL per defensive EPA/Play.
The Vikings skated through the season with reckless cornerback depth, leaning on Fabian Moreau as CB3 after Jeff Okudah cratered and landed on injured reserve twice in rapid succession. That approach was risky, and somehow, Murphy Jr. and Rodgers didn’t miss any games.
But the larger question hasn’t changed. Minnesota has failed to draft a legitimate long-term cornerback in over a decade. Trae Waynes remains the last hit, and since then (2015), two general managers have burned picks across every round without producing a durable solution.
Any sense of CB stability in 2025 was propped up by Flores’s ability to feast as a defensive mastermind. Flores is back in 2026 after signing an extension, barring a late phone call from Pittsburgh, and his presence changes everything. Give him Murphy Jr., Rodgers, and Diggs, and he can cook.
Our Kyle Joudry noted on Diggs this week, “The appeal of Diggs is his size, youth, and history of making plays on the ball. Every team covets corners who can take the ball away from an offense, but that may be particularly appealing for a Vikings squad that is looking to create a domino effect within the secondary by grafting a corner with size into the position.”
“Doing so would liberate Murphy, letting him shuffle around; meanwhile, Rodgers could focus on showing off his wheels against speed rather than needing to battle bruising brawn. Again, think a domino effect. Being able to retain Brian Flores will be an important part of the mix. Ongoing continuity on defense will allow for GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to better parse through the available talent.”
Diggs’ Career Numbers
Diggs turned pro six years ago. Here’s his passer-rating-against skinny since 2020:
- 2020: 85.8
- 2021: 55.8
- 2022: 86.1
- 2023: Predominantly Injured
- 2024: 85.3
- 2025: 154.2 (22 targets)
And his Pro Football Focus resume:
- 2020: 62.7
- 2021: 58.5
- 2022: 67.6
- 2023: Predominantly Injured
- 2024: 56.6
- 2025: 58.7 (22 targets)
Diggs is known chiefly for pass coverage, evidenced by his PFF coverage grades:
- 2020: 63.9
- 2021: 65.0
- 2022: 67.0
- 2023: Predominantly Injured
- 2024: 60.3
- 2025: 64.6
He famously tallied 11 interceptions in 2021. While it’s unclear if Diggs could turn back the clock, the Vikings need turnover-forcing corners in 2026. Minnesota ranked 28th in the NFL this season per turnover differential.
Free Agent + Draft Options if Not Diggs
If the Vikings do not show interest in Diggs, who can be signed before go-live free agency in March, they’ll still need a cornerback. From free agency, the options could look like this:
- Alontae Taylor
- Amik Robertson
- Cam Taylor-Britt
- Greg Newsome II
- Jamel Dean
- Josh Jobe
- Joshua Williams
- Roger McCreary
- Tariq Woolen
Or from the first few rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft:
- Avieon Terrell (Clemson)
- Brandon Cisse (South Carolina)
- Chris Johnson (San Diego State)
- Colton Hood (Tennessee)
- Jermod McCoy (Tennessee)
- Keith Abney II (Arizona State)
- Mansoor Delane (LSU)
It’s also worth noting that Diggs’ next contract won’t break the bank. He already cashed in with the Cowboys and must repair his reputation in 2026.
Diggs will turn 28 in the autumn. He’s a two-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro.
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