Justin Coleman – CB (2015)
The Vikings signed Justin Coleman as a rookie following the 2015 NFL Draft. They gave him a pretty decent contract for an undrafted player, as they inked him to a three-year deal worth $1.59 million. Minnesota had him in camp all that preseason and he battled players like Josh Robinson, Jabari Price, and DeMarcus Van Dyke for a job.
The Vikings let him go on the final day of cuts, instead electing to keep Price, Marcus Sherels, and someone named Josh Thomas instead.
Coleman was later claimed by the New England Patriots, but he was released shortly after. Coleman then signed with the Seattle Seahawks, and while Minnesota did try and get him back, he elected to stick with the team that, at the time, seemed to believe in him and his skills.
In 2016, the Patriots signed him to their active roster. He ended up starting three games for them in two years, tallying 29 total tackles and eight pass breakups.
New England opted to trade him to the Seahawks in 2017 and this is where the light came on for him. He started 10 games in two years with Seattle racking up three interceptions, 19 pass breakups, and 98 total tackles. Coleman then was signed by the Lions in 2019 to a hefty four-year, $36 million contract.
If the Vikings would’ve been a little more patient with this guy, they could have themselves a very good cornerback. They wouldn’t have had to take Mike Hughes in the first round of the 2018 draft and instead, they could’ve used that choice to bolster their offensive line. Minnesota has to regret this move to this very day.