For years the Minnesota Vikings secondary has been a work in progress. Brian Flores got solid production from his top talents this season, but there’s a possibility he’ll see three of his starters leave. That leaves the secondary unit in relatively dire straights.

D.J. Reed can solve Minnesota Vikings cornerback question

Stephon Gilmore is closing in on retirement, and Shaq Griffin is back on the open market. Byron Murphy Jr. is going to get a hefty raise. What the Minnesota Vikings do at cornerback remains to be seen, obviously. Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport calls New York Jets corner D.J. Reed the answer.

“D.J. Reed of the New York Jets isn’t a superstar. But the 28-year-old is a quality starter who hasn’t allowed a passer rating against of 90 in any of the past five seasons. The quarterback quandary in the Twin Cities may get the headlines this spring. But it’s how the Vikings handle the secondary that will determine whether Minnesota can build on last year’s surprise success.”

Davenport on the Vikings cornerback situation (Bleacher Report)

Minnesota’s defense as a whole has been better under Brian Flores. The 4,459 yards they gave up through the air checked in 29th across the NFL, though. Even the decimated Detroit Lions defense allowed fewer yards (barely, at 4,404).

If the Minnesota Vikings are going to give themselves an opportunity to avoid a step backwards in 2025, then they’ll need strong cornerback play. Dwight McGlothern and Mekhi Blackmon, who is returning from a season-ending knee injury, are the only cornerbacks on roster for the upcoming season.

DJ Reed vs. Jefferson, Addison & the Vikings.

Final stat line:

7 targets – 2 receptions – 16 yards – 1 pbu – 2 PI penalties pic.twitter.com/dvQV8CX2mF

— Andy Herman (@AndyHermanNFL) February 1, 2025

Reed just recently turned 29 years old. He has seven years of NFL experience splitting his time between the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, and New York Jets. Across 101 games in the NFL, he has started 70 times.

Related: Report: Vikings Eyeing CB for Franchise Tag, Not Sam Darnold

He has never picked off more than two passes in a season, and last did so in 2021. This year with the Jets, Reed went without an interception, but had 11 passes defensed. He did record 64 tackles, including four for losses, and grabbed the second sack of his career.

It seems like a pairing of Murphy Jr. and Reed would give the Minnesota Vikings a very solid foundation. Maybe they let go of Murphy Jr., and keep Camryn Bynum. They could add another veteran or two to round out the group. No matter what, though, they have to get the starting defensive situation figured out and they cannot afford to be so easy for opposing offenses to pick apart.

Free agency will shed light on MN Vikings intentions

Draft capital isn’t something that the Vikings are currently flush with. They currently have the 24th overall pick, but then don’t have another selection until the 5th round. They have two opportunities in that round, but unless general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah acquires more more, that’s it.

When free agency opens the Vikings will need to lean on their ample cap space to address holes on the roster. Cornerback is certainly top among those. So too are considerations on the interior offensive and defensive lines, as well as the running back position.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Get a Familiar Futbol Comparison

Free agency opens roughly a month before the NFL Draft. The more answers Minnesota feels comfortable with on the open market, the less they will need to address from the collegiate ranks. So far we have seen Adofo-Mensah hit with a much higher success rate in free agency.

That’s been great, but ultimately marrying free agent signings with draft execution remains the most ideal path towards sustained success.

Yet, he also needs to upgrade the roster in hopes of helping coach Kevin O’Connell win his first playoff game next season. The good news is that the Vikings are set to have some of the most cap space in the NFL, with roughly over $60 million to spend.

2025 NFL free agency fits – Minnesota Vikings

That means if Sam Darnold doesn’t return, the Vikings can potentially add several high-profile free agents this offseason. So, which Vikings free agency targets should be on the radar this offseason? Here’s a quick list of five Vikings free agent targets the front office could consider.

D.J. Reed, cornerback

Known as the New York Jets cornerback who plays opposite Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed has received positive grades all seven seasons of his career. Though, like many other Jets players, Reed took a step back this past season, grading as the 47th-best cornerback in the NFL per Pro Football Focus.

Related: Odds for 2025 Minnesota Vikings Starting QB Bring More Questions Than Answers

This is well below where he ranked last season, coming in as the 23rd-best CB in football. That’s more in line with where Reed has graded throughout his career. He may not be a shutdown, No. 1 corner, but he can be a high-end No. 2 option for years to come.

Top 32 CBs ranked using PFFs new advanced coverage grade

Cov Grade = Advanced Coverage Grade
Run Grade = Run Defense Grade
Rush Grade = Pass Rush Grade pic.twitter.com/YB13BCUgi9

— Stat Acccount (@AcccountStat) December 27, 2024

Considering the Vikings’ only cornerbacks under contract for next season are Mekhi Blackmon, NaJee Thompson, and Dwight McGlothern (the trio combined to play 19 snaps in 2024), Minnesota needs as much help as it can get. Sure, there are potential in-house solutions, such as re-signing Byron Murphy and/or Stephon Gilmore.

Yet, even if this position is addressed during the 2025 NFL Draft, the Vikings will need more experience too. That’s where a veteran like Reed or the two players below could help next season.

• Other Vikings free agency cornerback targets: Charvarius Ward, Carlton Davis

Darius Slayton, wide receiver

While receiver is far from the Vikings’ biggest needs this offseason, a case could be made that they need more consistent production out of their No. 3 wideout. Jalen Nailor has flashed potential, and his speed makes him a threat, but he had the NFL’s 12th-highest drop rate among receivers who saw 40 or more targets.

Meanwhile, adding a veteran could provide KOC’s offense a significant boost. There are always several capable receivers available, both in free agency and through the draft. Yet, adding a low-cost, proven option could be the most attractive solution to a team that wants to win now, like the Vikings.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Love Boat Captain Hired by Barstool Sports

If the Vikings want to add a free agent receiver, then someone like Darius Slayton could make a lot of sense, especially if the team retains Daniel Jones as their backup quarterback. Slayton never had consistent QB play on the New York Giants, which undoubtedly hurt his production.

Darius Slayton v. Seahawks

8 catches 122 yards 1 TD
-3 3rd down conversions
-2 deep catches pic.twitter.com/4IySmsLN4H

— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) October 7, 2024

Despite their flaws, Slayton was still productive for what he is, a secondary option that will never be a team’s No. 1 receiver, yet the Giants were using him like one for the bulk of his career. Slayton actually had a higher drop rate than Nailor at 15.2% (third-highest among WRs with 40 or more snaps), but he’s also gotten consistent results, topping 700 yards in four of his six seasons.

Related: Justin Jefferson Doesn’t Care Who Plays QB for the Minnesota Vikings Next Season

Still just 28, it’s possible the 6-foot-1 receiver still has some untapped potential as a player who clocked a 4.39 40-yard dash coming out of college. He also had a 40.5-inch vertical jump. Both marks are better than Nailor’s pre-draft measurables. Yet, if Slayton lands a better opportunity as a No. 2 receiver elsewhere, why not consider a reunion with K.J. Osborn?

• Other Vikings free agency wide receiver targets: Brandin Cooks, K.J. Osborn, Rondale Moore, TuTu Atwell

Jevon Holland, safety

One of the team’s deepest positions for multiple years now, the Vikings could suddenly have a need. Harrison Smith will be entering the final year of his contract, and he’s turning 36 in February. Meanwhile, Camryn Bynum is a free agent, only leaving Joshua Metellus as a potential starter.

If Brian Flores returns, he frequently used three safeties on the field, so even if Smith returns, the Vikings may need to add another safety. If so, someone like Jevon Holland could be a strong fit.

The Miami Dolphins’ starting safety was selected 36th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, which was Brian Flores’ final season in South Beach. So, we already know he’s a plug-and-play solution in Minnesota’s current defensive scheme.

📈 PFF have ranked Jevon Holland as the third best player set to hit free agency

"Holland ranked among the five highest-graded safeties in two of his first three seasons in the league… his previous body of work more than speaks for itself." (@PFF) #GoFins pic.twitter.com/cyNRawdXt0

— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) December 23, 2024

He’ll also be just 25 years old, which means he could be a perfect long-term replacement for Smith. Holland is coming off a down season, arguably the worst of his career, so the Vikings could get a bit of a discount for a player who graded as the third-best safety per PFF in 2023. This included him having the ninth-best grade on run defense and the third-best coverage grade among safeties.

• Other Vikings free agency safety targets: Talanoa Hufanga, Justin Simmons

Related: Minnesota Vikings Bringing Back Young Interior Defensive Lineman

Milton Williams, defensive tackle

It’s time to address arguably the Vikings’ biggest weakness: the defensive interior. There aren’t many top-notch interior defenders available in free agency, but like the Vikings found last year, there could be a few hidden gems. One of them is Philadelphia’s Milton Williams.

Milton is far from a household name, but Williams is excellent at what he does, which is generate pressure. He finished with PFF’s second-highest pass-rush grade among defensive linemen last season after generating a ridiculous 40 pressures.

Related: Adam Schefter Weighs in on What a Kevin O’Connell Extension Might Cost the Vikings

That’s more than all three of the Vikings’ defensive line starts combined (39 pressures among Harrison Phillips (16), Jerry Tillery (17), and Jonathan Bullard (6). Admittedly, Williams didn’t grade as well as a run defender, ranking 167th among interior defenders, but that’s where other run stoppers can be subbed in on short-yardage situations.

How often DTs are doubled and how productive they are as pass rushers

x = Double Team %
y = Pressure %
Sacks = 3 pressures
QB Hits = 2 pressures
Hurries = 1 pressure pic.twitter.com/4dSD57FDWy

— Stat Acccount (@AcccountStat) January 17, 2025

If Williams can’t be signed, then picking up a two-time Pro Bowler like Javon Hargrave could be a better option, but he’s also set to turn 32, compared to Williams being just 26 next season.

• Other Vikings free agency defensive line targets: Javon Hargrave, Jarran Reed

Top Minnesota Vikings free agent target – Trey Smith, right guard

Lastly, anyone who had to witness the Vikings lose to the Rams in the NFL Playoffs, saw that the offensive line didn’t hold up when the game mattered most. While the loss of Christian Darrisaw and for a bit, Brian O’Neill didn’t help, the Vikings’ offensive interior has long been a big weakness.

Dalton Risner is a free agent. Odds are, Ed Ingram won’t suddenly come back after the summer and turn into the second-coming of Steve Hutchinson, which means it’s finally time to address the offensive interior. If the Vikings don’t want to risk spending another high draft pick on another offensive lineman who doesn’t develop the way they like, why not sign a proven solution?

Related: Vikings Uninterested in Sam Darnold Long Term but Franchise Tag Remains on Table

The best offensive lineman available this offseason is the Kansas City Chiefs’ right guard Trey Smith. If the plan is to keep Blake Brandel at left guard, then Smith would immediately help fix this offensive line’s biggest weakness. Smith has not only started every game while helping the Chiefs win two Super Bowls, he’s coming off his first Pro Bowl season.

Trey Smith blocking through the whistle 😤

📺: #NOvsKC on ESPN
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/lLoeQ2khA2

— NFL (@NFL) October 8, 2024

His accolade was well-deserved, considering Smith ranked 14th among all guards, which included respectably being the 33rd-best pass blocker and the 10th-best run blocker. That also included allowing zero sacks. Despite being a former sixth-round pick, the 25-year-old has never graded worse than 22nd among guards.

Yet, of course many teams, likely including the Chiefs, will be looking to sign Smith to a massive contract this offseason. So if the Vikings can’t land Smith, perhaps robbing Kevin Zeitler from the Lions or Teven Jenkins from the Bears would be ideal backup plans.

• Other Vikings free agency guard targets: Kevin Zeitler, Teven Jenkins

Local Minnesota insider Darren Wolfson recently indicated he “wouldn’t be surprised” if another Vikings trade happened following the Cam Robinson addition. Now that the Vikings have gotten another win since Doogie spoke, it only makes sense for Kwesi to get even more aggressive.

Yet, the Vikings don’t have many 2025 draft picks. In fact, they only have three right now, including their first-round pick. However, in what’s being described as a weak prospect pool, it may make more sense to acquire a proven talent instead of gambling on another young player in the latter portion of the first round.

Below, we look at which current players may be worth trading a first-round pick for, and each scenario is unique.

Related: What We Learned About the Minnesota Vikings in Get Right Victory Over Colts

D.J. Reed, Jets CB

No, trading a first-round pick for D.J. Reed outright wouldn’t make any sense. He’s set to become a free agent at the end of the season. Yet, since the 27-year-old’s future in New York is murky, at best, it could make sense to place a phone call to the Jets, who are just 3-6.

• D.J. Reed stats: 71.9 passer rating when targeted (12th-best among CBs), 1 of 15 CBs who haven’t allowed a TD

Except, since Reed is on an expiring contract, this trade may make a lot more sense if the Vikings offered their first in exchange for the defensive back while also getting a second or third-round pick in return. While Reed grades as Pro Football Focus’ fourth-best cornerback this season, renting him for a few months is certainly not worth a top pick, which is why the Vikings would need the Jets to offer something in return too.

Still, if the Vikings could connect with Reed’s agent and feel confident about their ability to re-sign him, why not make the Jets an offer too good to refuse? He’d become the long-term replacement for Stephon Gilmore, who’s a free agent at season’s end.

The corner blitz gets home! D.J. Reed with the @nyjets sack 💪#HOUvsNYJ on Prime Video
Also streaming on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/V8YW9BF6qE

— NFL (@NFL) November 1, 2024

Reed has averaged 78 tackles over the past three seasons, and he continually grades positively as a run defender. So, he’d add more than just another solid defender in coverage; he could help the defense in all phases.

Related: Kirk Cousins vs Sam Darnold – Comparing Old/New Minnesota Vikings QBs Through Week 9

Devon Witherspoon, Seahawks CB

Unlike Reed, Devon Witherspoon may be worth parting with a first-round pick, straight up, without getting anything extra in return. Like Reed, the biggest question here is whether the Seahawks would already be willing to part with a player they selected fifth overall in 2023. Teams very rarely move on from a first-round pick, just two years into their career, especially if they’re still playing well.

Yet, after a strong start, the Seahawks have dropped two games in a row and now sit in last place of the NFC West. Would they suddenly hit the panic button and trade a 24-year-old who still has 2-3 years left on his contract? Probably not.

But it never hurts to make a trade offer, the worst that can happen is the Vikings hear a “no” from the Seahawks. He definitely fits the bill as a young, cost-controlled cornerback that can contribute for multiple seasons, and it’s possible Brian Flores can get the best out of him. Plus, just look at the infectious effort he plays with.

5 years after the 2019 Wisconsin game

Here’s Devon Witherspoon again chasing down & preventing a touchdown to keep his team in the game.

Even after a $20 million signing bonus, he’s still that same guy as the freshman hustling his tail off pic.twitter.com/hySChFal3u

— The BoardRoom (@ILLBoardRoom) October 11, 2024

Witherspoon was the NFL’s sixth-highest graded CB per PFF last season, but a scheme change with Mike Macdonald taking over for Pete Carroll has caused him to slip to 30th this season. This could give the Vikings a sliver of hope if the Seahawks are somehow looking to capitalize on his trade value right now in anticipation of bouncing back toward the top of their division next year.

Related: Top Cornerback Could Still Become a Minnesota Vikings Trade Candidate

Jeffery Simmons

If the season ended today, the Titans would end up with the ninth overall pick. Is that good enough to land their franchise quarterback? It might not be. If so, they could feel pressure to add even more selections ahead of the 2025 NFL draft.

One of the best ways for the Titans to do that is by dangling two-time second-team All-Pro DT Jeffery Simmons on the trade block. So far, the Titans have reportedly been unwilling to negotiate a trade involving arguably their best player. Considering they still need to maintain hope and sell tickets, it makes sense not to gut the roster down to the studs.

• Jeffery Simmons stats and PFF grades: 9th-best DT, 7th-best run defender, 6th-most run stops, 21st in pressures

But what if they got an offer that was too good to refuse? That just might happen, if the Vikings are willing to pony up and put their 2025 first-round pick on the table. Simmons is already 27, and there’s no telling when the Titans will return to relevance, but he’d fit right into the Vikings’ current competitive window. He’s also one of the best game-wreckers in football.

Jeffery Simmons generated a season-high 7 pressures and a sack on 37 pass rushes (18.9%) in Week 9 against the Patriots, including 3 pressures in under 2.5 seconds.

He's now recorded at least a 15.0% pressure rate in two consecutive games (per NFL Pro). pic.twitter.com/RhYupnTgZ8

— Easton Freeze (@eastonfreeze) November 4, 2024

Related: Vikings vs Colts: Referee Tries to Explain Latest Missed Roughing Call Against Sam Darnold

Quinnen Williams

Bear with us here. If the Jets were ready to actually compete for a Super Bowl, then Quinnen Williams would never be mentioned here. But at some point, the Jets need to face the reality that they’re not among the best teams in the NFL, let alone the AFC.

Williams is basically the oil that makes the Jets’ defensive engine run. It’s why they didn’t hesitate to make him one of the NFL’s highest-paid defensive tackles, with a four-year, $96 million contract in 2023. Yet, the Jets need a new franchise quarterback, and they may not find one if they just end up selecting 10th, which is where they’d be if the season ended today.

• Quinnen Williams stats and PFF grades: 13th-best DT, 4th-most pressures, 2nd-most sacks, 22nd in run stops

Jets fans won’t want to hear it, but listening to trade offers on their 27-year-old first-team All-Pro could be what puts this team on a quicker path to contention. We’ve seen the Jets build strong defenses for several years now, but it never leads to a consistent winner.

As much of a difference-maker Williams is, he’s not more valuable than a quarterback. Getting an extra first-round pick would undoubtedly improve New York’s chances to bounce back next season, and there are several defensive line prospects in the upcoming draft class too.

Quinnen Williams has put up the following stats in 2024 according to PFF (DT rank):

6 sacks (2nd)
32 pressures (3rd)
22 hurries (3rd)

Just another elite season.pic.twitter.com/SR1fdJXjmB

— Luke Grant (@LukeGrant7) November 1, 2024

While it’s unlikely that the Jets would trade him, we wouldn’t hesitate to offer a first-round pick for Williams. He has the potential to transcend the Vikings’ defense into the best unit in the NFL.

Related: Will Reichard Injury Update: Latest on Minnesota Vikings Kicker

Dexter Lawrence remains dream Minnesota Vikings trade target

Even though there have been absolutely zero indications that the Giants would listen to a trade for their best player, we’ll never give up the dream of a Dexter Lawrence Vikings trade. He’s just too perfect.

Big enough to bowl over even the biggest, strongest, and toughest interior linemen, adding “Big Sexy” would give the Vikings a much better chance of dominating in the trenches, even against elite teams such as the Lions. He could single-handedly turn this team’s biggest weakness into a strength for years to come.

• Dexter Lawrence stats and PFF grades: 2nd-best DT, most sacks among DTs (2nd-most in NFL), 2nd-most pressures, 5th-most run stops

Lawrence is still just 26 years old. He’s signed through 2027. But he’s also a two-time second-team All-Pro who likely would have a few first-team selections if he were on a better squad or if Aaron Donald didn’t exist.

Dexter Lawrence has been on a different level this season 😤 🔥 pic.twitter.com/6QkkdCbuOi

— NFL (@NFL) November 2, 2024

As much as the Vikings would love to will a trade for the game’s best defensive tackle into existence, it takes two to tango. Odds are the Giants won’t trade the player who has their team logo tattooed on his forearm, and he’s never expressed any public interest in playing anywhere else. But it’s sure fun to dream.

Related: NFL Insider Expects Another Minnesota Vikings Trade Soon