5 free-agent safeties the Minnesota Vikings could sign in 2021
By Chris Schad
Who are some names to watch as the Minnesota Vikings scour free-agency for a potential starting safety?
When it comes to the Minnesota Vikings defense, there are some positions that are more important than others. This was shown last year as the defensive line and secondary had plenty of new faces. With the drop-off in talent, the Vikings defense cratered into one of the worst units in the NFL.
In the eyes of Mike Zimmer, the safety position is one that is lower on the totem pole. Minnesota spent $11.7 million bringing Anthony Harris back last season, but the unit may have been better off if the Vikings had spent that money in free agency or drafted Antoine Winfield Jr.
With Harris unlikely to return to the team in 2021, that creates plenty of options for the Vikings. While Minnesota could dip into a draft class that features nine safety prospects in The Draft Network’s top 100 rankings, the Vikings have traditionally opted against using high capital on safeties since Zimmer’s arrival in 2014.
That leaves free agency as a perfect time to find a partner for Harrison Smith. Although Minnesota could bring back George Iloka and Josh Metellus to battle for the starting spot, a more likely scenario will be to bring in several players and see who rises to the top.
In an offseason that should be more normal than the pandemic-influenced 2020 campaign, the Vikings should have an opportunity to evaluate their options and create several targets in free agency.