5 cornerback options for Vikings following blockbuster Jalen Ramsey trade, from Stephon Gilmore to Asante Samuel Jr.

The Minnesota Vikings were considered an ideal landing spot for superstar cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who’s been seeking an exit from the Miami Dolphins for months.

A blockbuster move like that for the Vikings was always unrealistic, mainly due to Ramsey’s recent three-year, $72.3 million contract extension. It’s all moot now, as Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith were traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and a swap of draft picks.

The underlying problem for Minnesota remains, however. The Vikings will enter training camp thin at cornerback, with Byron Murphy Jr. the only proven starter of a group that also includes Isaiah Rodgers, Mekhi Blackmon, Jeff Okudah and Dwight McGlothern.

Some intriguing options still remain, and depending on how the first few weeks of training camp play out, Minnesota could be in the market for cornerback depth. As it stands, guys like McGlothern and rookie Zemaiah Vaughn — two players who signed as undrafted free agents — are among the front-runners to make the team’s initial 53-man roster.

Here are five realistic options at the cornerback position for the Vikings with Ramsey now off the table:

1. Stephon Gilmore, free agent 

With Shaq Griffin now with the Seattle Seahawks, Gilmore jumps to the top of the list. It’s possible that Gilmore’s camp has been in contact with Minnesota’s front office throughout the offseason. He signed with Minnesota in mid-August last summer, and that timeline would make sense for the 34-year-old to sit out a majority of camp but still arrive in time to ramp up and be ready to contribute come Week 1. It's not the sexiest solution, but it's probably the most likely.

2. Asante Samuel Jr., free agent

Vikings fans have been patiently waiting for Samuel to sign since the calendar flipped to June, but he surprisingly remains among the best free agent corners available. The chance to add a former second-round pick with a strong athletic bloodline — Samuel’s father played for the New England Patriots during Flores’ tenure working for Bill Belichick in Foxboro — on a cheap, prove-it contract for 2025 would be a strong move for Minnesota. Samuel Jr. has six interceptions, 30 pass breakups and 176 total tackles in four pro seasons.

3. Greg Newsome II, Cleveland Browns  

This is purely speculative, as CBS Sports analyst Cody Benjamin recently named the Vikings as an ideal landing spot for Newsome. It’s hard to argue the on-field fit, as Newsome projects as an upgrade over Okudah for Minnesota’s slot corner role. The problem here is Newsome’s $13.3 million fifth-year option that’s fully guaranteed for 2025. If the Vikings like Newsome, they’re more likely to wait and try to sign him outright in 2026, than they are to give up draft capital now just to inherit the hefty final year of his rookie deal. But if Minnesota feels there's work to do at the nickel spot coming out of camp, and the Browns are looking to shed some salary, Newsome becomes a logical target.

4. Jack Jones, free agent 

The gifted but troubled cornerback was a Bill Belichick draft pick, drawing natural comparisons to Flores’ scheme. The on-field talent is undeniable, as Jones has seven interceptions and four defensive touchdowns in just 41 career games. The issues, of course, are off the field, as a weapons charge (that was later dropped) led to him being cut by the Patriots, and some questionable effort at times left him in hot water during his short stint with the Las Vegas Raiders. Minnesota is about as solid as it gets when it comes to locker room culture, and if the no-nonsense Flores can keep Jones focused on football, he could be an underrated target as a potential veteran minimum signing.

5. Rasul Douglas, free agent 

Multiple analysts have linked Douglas to Minnesota as a potential fit, as the now eight-year veteran has a strong reputation for being sticky in coverage. He had a down year in Buffalo in 2024, which is likely why he’s still available, but if the Vikings ultimately pass on re-signing Gilmore, the 29-year-old Douglas could be the next best thing as a safe, low-cost, high-upside addition. With 19 career interceptions, over 400 tackles and 70 pass breakups, Douglas figures to find a new home before the end of training camp. Minnesota is nice that time of year.