New Signing Becomes Only Viking to Land in PFF’s Top 3
It was a slow start to the Vikings’ free agency, but Minnesota made one free agent signing as the 2026 NFL free agency got underway.
The Vikings strengthened at cornerback with the signing of James Pierre. Then, on Tuesday, Pro Football Focus released an article on their highest-graded players from the 2025 season at each position, where Pierre ranked in the top 3 at CB.
Pierre Brings One of the Best Recent PFF Resumes to Minnesota
In what was a disappointing season in Minnesota, no player on the Vikings roster in 2025 made it into the top three at their position when graded by PFF. Ryan Kelly (4th) is the only Viking who made it into the top at their position, and he missed many games due to three separate concussions that caused him to announce his retirement last week.
It was a rough year for Vikings players in the eyes of PFF, with players who have historically graded well, like Justin Jefferson, Christian Darrisaw, and Jonathan Greenard, posting lower grades. On the contrary, it was a major up year for the 29-year-old, Pierre, whose 86.2 overall grade placed him second among CBs – second only to Super Bowl-winning Devon Witherspoon. Here is what PFF had to say about Pierre’s 2025 season.
2. James Pierre, Pittsburgh Steelers (86.2)
Despite logging fewer than 1,000 snaps across his first five NFL seasons, Pierre was called upon to play an increased role in 2025, to which he answered with a career year.
Exceptional coverage instincts landed Pierre atop the NFL in numerous key categories, including yards allowed per coverage target (4.7, tied) and forced incompletion rate (28.6%). As a result, he produced the top PFF coverage grade at outside cornerback (88.7).
Can Pierre Repeat His Success in 2026?
Pierre was a depth piece on the Steelers’ defense and a special-teamer over six seasons. He showed the ability to make plays with 3 interceptions, 5 forced fumbles, and 11 passes defended over his first five seasons from less than 1000 defensive snaps. Opportunity knocked in 2025, and Pierre turned more playing time into a two-year, $8.5 million deal in Minnesota.
Last season, Pierre had one interception, 11 passes defended, and scooped up a fumble recovery for a 34-yard touchdown. He impresses in coverage in Pittsburgh under the tutelage of secondary coach Gerald Alexander, the Vikings’ new defensive pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach.
It’s a safe bet that Alexander had a hand in marrying Pierre up with the Vikings, and having the coach who helped get the best out of Pierre in the building is great news.
Of course, Brian Flores will also know Pierre from his time in Pittsburgh and should already have a clear idea of how he wants to utilize him. You would expect Pierre to come in as the CB3 behind Byron Murphy and Isaiah Rodgers, but both were inconsistent last season and are by no means unpassable on the depth chart.
Pierre will get plenty of opportunities to play in 2026, especially if he brings his 2025 form with him.
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