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Vikings free agency 2017: What cornerbacks are available?

By Adam Patrick

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 /
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Dec 20, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick (27) celebrates after an incompletion during the third quarter of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the San Francisco 49ers 24-14. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick (27) celebrates after an incompletion during the third quarter of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the San Francisco 49ers 24-14. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

Dre Kirkpatrick

  • 27-years-old
  • 6-foot-1, 186 pounds

2016 stats (in 15 games with the Cincinnati Bengals):

  • 46 total tackles
  • 3 interceptions, 10 pass breakups

Selected by the Bengals in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft, Zimmer is very familiar with Kirkpatrick’s abilities as the Minnesota head coach was Cincinnati’s defensive coordinator for the cornerback’s first two seasons in the league.

He did not play much when Zimmer was in town (only three starts), but Kirkpatrick has been the Bengals’ starting corner for the past two seasons. He has been solid during his time as a starter and in 2016 he allowed the eighth lowest yards per cover snap in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus.

Cincinnati is probably going to do their best to re-sign the former first-round pick, so his price tag may end up being a bit too high for the Vikings to land him. Especially since Xavier Rhodes is going to be in need of some big-time money in the near future.

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