Vikings Free Agent Rumors: Cornerback Nolan Carroll a Target

Oct 20, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins cornerback Nolan Carroll (28) before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

Viking fans want rumors about big-name free agents being pursued by the Vikings. But they’ll have to settle for a story about Dolphins free agent cornerback Nolan Carroll.

Per some newspaper doofus, Carroll is expected to be targeted by Rick Spielman as an option to fill out the defensive backfield.

Carroll has everything you could want in a Spielman free agent target. He’s 27. He’s seen as a guy with room to grow. He’s not in line for a major deal.

The 2010 fifth round pick had a decent run in Miami, racking up 135 tackles, 5 picks and 3 sacks in four seasons. 2 of those sacks came in 2013, when Carroll appeared in all 16 games.

The sacks are important here I think. Mike Zimmer likes blitzing from all over the field, so he’ll want corners he can bring after the quarterback. Carroll looks like he fits that bill.

Carroll unfortunately is considered a below-average cover corner. He graded out as the #58 corner overall per PFF.

With this news, it’s evident the Spielman bargain shopping free agent plan is still in effect. What has changed is that the Vikings now have a head coach with a reputation for maxing out lower-end talent.

Spielman may finally have hooked up with a head coach who can make his cheapskate free agency approach look like genius, at least on the defensive side.

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