5 ideal free agents the Vikings should consider signing in 2022

Steven Nelson – CB

Some people who are reading this may be thinking “who?” when they see the name, Steven Nelson. When you’re the No. 2 corner behind a star defensive back like Darius Slay, you’re bound to be overlooked, and such is the case with Nelson.

While his numbers from 2021 may not jump off the page, with one interception and 50 total tackles, Nelson quietly had himself a solid season. Being across from Slay meant that Nelson was going to get his fair share of targets, and he was able to hold his own.

Nelson’s PFF grade for the 2021 season was in the low 60s, which doesn’t stand out until you see that Vikings corners Kris Boyd and Mackensie Alexander were in the low 40s.

Nelson is not meant to be brought in as the new No. 1 corner in Minnesota, but he has proven that he can be a reliable No. 2 cornerback. Cameron Dantzler quietly had himself a good season with the Vikings in 2021, and with Mike Zimmer no longer running the defense, it will be nice to see Dantzler get more time to shine. But Minnesota still needs all the help they can get.

With the team potentially taking their cornerstone CB1 in this year’s draft, adding Nelson could go a long way in bulking up the secondary.