5 Minnesota Vikings newcomers who could surprise in 2021

Bashaud Breeland – CB

One of the most recent pickups by the Vikings in free agency was Bashaud Breeland. This doesn’t exactly scream confidence in Jeff Gladney’s legal complications coming to a satisfactory conclusion, so those in power within the organization were right to hedge their bets with another veteran cornerback.

Breeland is a player who has carved out a solid role for himself in recent years. His time with the Kansas City Chiefs brought a Super Bowl ring and two consecutive AFC Championships, which is a winning mentality that could make a big difference in Minnesota.

There was some doubt about whether Breeland would end up on the Vikings after tweeting about wanting to get paid his worth following a visit. This didn’t amount to the player spurning the team and he could become a useful asset from the slot or even the outside if Cameron Dantzler goes through a sophomore slump.

Couple this with the additions of Patrick Peterson and Mackensie Alexander, the Vikings have far more going for them at corner than they did at any stage in 2020. Expect Breeland to be heavily involved and he might even do enough to earn an extended stay when it’s all said and done.

Gladney’s future in the NFL is hanging by a thread just one year after Minnesota used a first-round pick on the player. But credit the front office for putting a solid contingency plan in place.