5 free-agent safeties the Minnesota Vikings could sign in 2021
By Chris Schad
Keanu Neal
If the Vikings believe that Malik Hooker’s injury history make him too risky or want an option that’s more long term, Keanu Neal could be an excellent fit. While he would have to make Harrison Smith switch positions to free safety, Neal brings value as an in-the-box thumper that could be the average-to-above average player Minnesota should be looking for.
Neal was a beast for the Atlanta Falcons in his first couple seasons in the league, collecting 106 tackles in his rookie year of 2016 and 113 tackles during his 2017 campaign. While Neal has struggled in coverage due to injury, he returned in 2020 to post a respectable 68.2 overall PFF grade that ranked 33rd among qualifying safeties.
A full offseason without rehab should be able to help Neal and he won’t turn 26 until July. With a resume that has flashed his high upside and PFF projecting his cost to be $5 million per season, Neal is another target that would make sense for the Vikings.