Vikings free agency 2017: What cornerbacks are available?

Dec 18, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick (27) against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paul Brown Stadium. The Steelers won 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick (27) against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paul Brown Stadium. The Steelers won 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
NFL: Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots
NFL: Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots /

Logan Ryan

  • 26-years-old
  • 5-foot-11, 180 pounds

2016 stats (in 16 games with the New England Patriots):

  • 92 total tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble
  • 2 interceptions, 11 pass breakups

Oddly enough, Ryan is one of the players the Patriots selected with the picks they acquired in the Cordarrelle Patterson trade with Minnesota back in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Four years later, Ryan has become a key part of New England’s defense and one of the many reasons the team has won two Super Bowls in the past three seasons. His efforts last Sunday against Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones was huge as Ryan the Patriots’ secondary were able to hold the superstar pass catcher to under 100 yards receiving and no touchdowns on just four catches.

The Vikings turnaround on defense in the last three years has a lot to do with the great improvement in the tackling abilities of their players. Ryan is one of the better tackling corners in the NFL today and even led all New England defenders in 2016 with 92 total tackles.

He also does have experience as a slot corner, so if Minnesota opts to not re-sign Munnerlyn, Ryan could become an intriguing option for the Vikings to add to their defense.