The Viking Age
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Minnesota Vikings: Five potential free agent safety targets

By Dan Zinski

Dec 6, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals free safety Reggie Nelson (20) returns an interception as Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson (29) chases during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals free safety Reggie Nelson (20) returns an interception as Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson (29) chases during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 26, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns free safety Tashaun Gipson (39) reacts after making a stop against the Oakland Raiders during the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 23-13. Mandatory Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 26, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns free safety Tashaun Gipson (39) reacts after making a stop against the Oakland Raiders during the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 23-13. Mandatory Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Tashaun Gipson

Gipson was hampered by injury in 2015 and did not have the kind of big season some expected coming off his 2014 year when he picked off six passes in just eleven games for the Browns.

Gipson is generally viewed as a good coverage safety and certainly possesses a knack for big plays. The big knock against him is his tendency to miss a lot of tackles. A LOT of tackles.

Ball-hawking ability is valued by fans and certainly makes for great highlight reels but I’m not sure Mike Zimmer places that high a priority on being able to get picks. The Vikings need a player with good all-around skills who can hold up in coverage and make plays in the box. I’m not sure Gipson really fits that bill. He only has okay size at 5-11, 205.

Gipson also has missed a lot of games due to injury over the past few years.

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