Another Vikings CB Upgrade Goes Off the Free Agent Board

It has been weeks since the Minnesota Vikings made what seemed like the last substantial additions to their roster. Of course there have been moves made on the fringes since, but the backbone of the roster appears set.

There is a ton of talent that will take the field for head coach Kevin O’Connell. That doesn’t mean that general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah should stop short of making sure he has every position group locked in.

Cornerback, especially the depth there, has been something of a question well-before training camp started. Byron Murphy Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers are the top options. The Vikings continue to prop up Jeff Okudah. There are still better options out there, Xavien Howard is no longer among them.

Xavien Howard signs with Indianapolis Colts

After suffering a Lisfranc injury to his foot in 2023, Xavien Howard sat out all of 2024. At multiple different points he has been linked to the Minnesota Vikings given his experience with defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Now back and ready to roll, he’s joining The Indianapolis Colts instead.

The former second round pick in 2016 will play with a new team for the first time in his career. Howard spent his first eight NFL seasons playing for the Miami Dolphins.

Miami cut Howard in February 2024 and he was quickly seen as a potential darling to add for the MN Vikings. Stephon Gilmore wound up being the last minute veteran addition for the cornerback room, and the position was covered last season.

Howard played in 13 games during the 2023 season and picked off a single pass while having 12 passes defended. The four-time Pro Bowl talent, and former first-team All-Pro, has twice led the league in interceptions with seven in 2018, and 10 during the 2020 season.

Related: Former Vikings QB Closing in on Starting Role

It’s uncertain what Howard will bring to the table at this stage of his career. He last was active for a game on December 31, 2023. If he’s healthy though, even at 32 years old, it’s reasonable that he could help a Colts team dealing with a rash of injuries.

It remains to be seen if the MN Vikings will add another cornerback to the roster. That doesn’t mean they shouldn’t though, and quality options still exist. With close to $25 million in cap space, James Bradbury, Rasul Douglas, Kendall Fuller, or even a Gilmore reunion are all pretty straightforward moves.