Vikings Again Named a Free Agent Fit for Stud CB
Last week, CBS Sports‘ Ryan Wilson said on national airwaves that free-agent Kansas City Chiefs cornerback could end up with the Minnesota Vikings, a team needing some defensive secondary oomph. A few days later, Fox Sports‘ Greg Auman agreed.
The Vikings need steadier cornerback play, and Watson keeps showing up as a realistic free-agent target.
The Vikings could also use Round 1 of the draft on a rookie like Mansoor Delane or Avieon Terrell at cornerback, but the solution could be as simple as signing Watson outright and eliminating the risk of another CB bust.
Watson Fits the Vikings’ Need for a Reliable Outside Corner
Free agency is less than three weeks away.
Auman: Watson to MIN in Free Agency
Auman outlined the NFL’s Top 100 free agents, predicting where each man might land. For Watson, Minnesota got the nod.
He wrote, “Watson, 27, is a former seventh-round pick who thrived in his first year as a full-time starter in 2025. He had two interceptions after just one in his first three seasons, and finished with 64 tackles. Pro Football Focus has him as their No. 13 corner, one spot behind teammate Trent McDuffie, who is due to make $13 million on his fifth-year option.”
“Could Watson draw a similar salary on a multi-year deal? Kansas City is way over the salary cap, so this is an opportunity to grab a young defender with significant postseason experience, with two picks in 10 career playoff games. Prediction: Signs with Vikings.”
Minnesota has encountered significantly better luck in the last decade by signing free-agent cornerbacks than drafting them. Watson could continue the trend,
Who’s Jaylen Watson
In 2025, Watson played 868 snaps and secured a full-time starting role in Kansas City’s secondary. Over his four seasons, he has appeared in 53 games, starting 29. His most consistent play came last year. At 6’2″ and 200 pounds, he has the ideal size for an outside cornerback.
His efficiency metrics support this assessment. In 2025, opposing quarterbacks had a 79.0 passer rating when targeting him, akin to his 75.4 mark in 2024. His first two seasons saw ratings above 103. Pro Football Focus grades also reflect his development, increasing from 61.2 to 68.5, then 69.6, and finally 74.1 last season.
This upward trend positions him favorably in a competitive market. Spotrac estimates his next contract at around $12.5 million per year, potentially a three-year, $38 million deal. The valuation places him in a difficult middle ground — neither a bargain nor an elite investment.
Minnesota begins the offseason in a rough financial shape. While restructures and releases will change this figure, contracts in this range require careful consideration. Watson will be 28 in the fall, meaning this contract would likely cover his prime years. Ultimately, his value depends on whether a team views his 2025 performance as his new standard or his ceiling.
USA Today‘s Nate Davis wrote this week about Watson’s free agency: “He’s big (6-2, 197), young (27), still experienced (29 starts) and playoff tested. Watson is coming off his best season, but is probably a luxury for the capped-out Kansas City Chiefs.”
Other CB Options This Offseason
If Watson is not the target, but the Vikings still want a productive option, the list grows. Here’s who Minnesota could pursue in March or April:
- Alontae Taylor (NO)
- Aveion Terrell (Rookie, Clemson)
- Brandon Cisse (Rookie, South Carolina)
- Colton Hood (Rookie, Tennessee)
- Cordale Flott (NYG)
- Greg Newsome II (JAX)
- Jermod McCoy (Rookie, Tennessee)
- Mansoor Delane (Rookie, LSU)
- Montaric Brown (JAX)
- Tariq Woolen (SEA)
The rookies on the list are CBs who are likely to be picked in Round 1 or 2, meaning they should be somewhat game-ready.
Murphy-Rodgers-Watson Trio Just Might Work
Last year, the Vikings ranked third in the NFL in passing defense per DVOA. All the rage right now is about a new cornerback, despite Brian Flores creating a Top 3 secondary.
So you better believe Watson would thrive in Minnesota. The main reasons the Vikings should hunt cornerbacks are depth and insurance. Murphy Jr. and Rodgers played all 17 games, respectively, in 2025, and that kind of cornerback durability is rare. Having Watson or a different corner to call up would be beneficial.
Of course, as always, cornerbacks will be in high demand during free agency. The Vikings will have to pull out their best recruiting spiel if Watson is the target. Minnesota could also seek an older cornerback on the open market, like Jamel Dean or Mike Hilton. They’ve used that route before.
The club is underwater by about $40 million per the salary cap in mid-February, but will release players and restructure player contracts in the next 20 days to become compliant.
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