The Minnesota Vikings have some question marks on their cornerback depth chart after Byron Murphy, so it felt possible they'd come out of the 2025 draft with one. But alas, ultimately having just five picks led to it not happening.
While reporting Asante Samuel Jr.'s camp has tried to get him to the Vikings during an appearance on SKOR North earlier this week, KSTP's Darren Wolfson also pointed toward the eventual addition of a veteran cornerback, even if it's not for "weeks upon weeks down the road." An easy point of reference is the signing of Stephon Gilmore last August.
So it might be a while before the Vikings do something to add a cornerback, if they do anything, but there will be an experience-rooted void until then. A reunion with Gilmore or Shaquill Griffin will be in play as long as one or both are available.
Ryan Smith of Pro Football Focus has a fresh list of best available free agents, with top landing spots for each.
Cornerback Rasul Douglas is on the list, with the Vikings as his proposed landing spot.
"Douglas is coming off a disappointing season in which he ranked 102nd out of 116 qualifying cornerbacks with a 53.9 PFF overall grade. He was strong the previous three years, earning a career-best 81.0 PFF overall grade in 2023.
The eight-year veteran has been a ballhawk in the NFL, recording at least seven pass breakups in six different seasons and picking off 14 passes from 2021-2023. Durability is a positive in Douglas’ game, as well. He has averaged 984 snaps per season since 2022.
The Vikings will need to replace Stephon Gilmore, and Douglas is a natural fit in defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ aggressive, blitz-heavy scheme. Minnesota had just five draft picks in the draft, and none were used on a defensive back, suggesting the team was confident it could address its cornerback depth through free agency."
Douglas has gotten some recent interest from the Miami Dolphins, but nothing has come to fruition there yet. As for why he's still available, he will turn 30 in August, and he is undeniably coming off a rough 2024 season with the Buffalo Bills.
As Smith noted though, Douglas was very good in each of the previous three seasons with at total of 14 interceptions and 40 pass breakups. He was with the Green Bay Packers for two-plus seasons before being traded to the Bills, so the Vikings got a close look at him.
Was last year an anomaly for Douglas, or the start of his decline phase? That's the question any team with potential interest has to weigh, along with accounting for his scheme fit and projected role.
In a broad sense the Vikings should have some interest, but it's worth wondering if the agendas for a move will line up if they're going to willingly wait to sign a veteran corner.
