Minnesota Vikings’ Greatest Position of Need – Per Mr. DVOA

During their busy offseason, the Minnesota Vikings have reconstructed their roster through a gangbusters free agency class, a short-handed NFL Draft class and a strong crop of UDFAs.

Now that the bulk of general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s offseason work is over, it’s time for head coach Kevin O’Connell and defensive coordinator Brian Flores to mold this new-look squad into something that can build on a surprising 14-win campaign from 2024.

Aaron Schatz calls out MN Vikings cornerback room

But should Kwesi be sitting on his hands between now and the start of training camp? Or, is there more work on the 2025 roster that still needs done? That’s exactly what Aaron Schatz — an ESPN analyst and creator of the popular advanced football metric DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average) — believes.

Schatz points to the departures in Minnesota’s secondary this offseason, in veterans Stephon Gilmore and Shaq Griffin. He likes the Byron Murphy Jr. extension, but Mr. DVOA believes the Vikings will need more than the newly aqcuired Isaiah Rodgers and Mekhi Blackmon, who’s coming off injury. But per Mr.DVOA, that will not be enough.

“Byron Murphy Jr. is back after a fabulous season in which he ranked seventh in the league in my coverage DVOA metric. But you need three starting cornerbacks in the NFL, plus depth behind them. Right now, the other two starters would be Mekhi Blackmon and Isaiah Rodgers.

Blackmon missed last season with a torn ACL and had a below-average 9.8% coverage DVOA as a rookie in 2023. Rodgers was good with the Eagles last season but started only three games. Behind them are Jeff Okudah, a onetime high draft pick who played only 7% of Houston’s defensive snaps last season, and Tavierre Thomas, a 29-year-old slot corner who played only 4% of Tampa Bay’s defensive snaps in 2024.”

Aaron Schatz – ESPN

After skipping the position during the NFL Draft, it seems logical that the Vikings go pay for a free agent to join the starting lineup, but who would that be and what caliber CB do they desire?

Options for the Minnesota Vikings at CB…

The Minnesota Vikings played a game of chicken with Stephon Gilmore, finally getting a deal done just before the season started. He was pretty good, but he’s now 34 years old and has even contemplated retirement. 2024 CB Shaq Griffin is still on the open market, but he 30 years old and he’s been flirting heavily with Seattle.

STEPHON GILMORE SEALS THE WIN WITH A PICK.#NYJvsMIN pic.twitter.com/3Li9D2uZw1

— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2024

There are other options available on the open market for Minnesota, including Asante Samuel Jr., who’s name has been floated to the Vikings recently, but he’s also fighting a shoulder injury. Schatz doesn’t mention newly acquired Jeff Okudah, but while talented, he can’t be trusted for major reps entering the season, either.

Related: MN Vikings QB JJ McCarthy Reminds TJ Hockenson of Who…?

Thus, Mr. DVOA is urging the Vikings to do more at CB, and he’s probably right. Could that be a depth signing, like last year when the Vikings brought in Fabian Moreau? Would that be enough?