Vikings labeled a ‘best fit’ for a top free-agent cornerback

ESPN recently picked the Minnesota Vikings as the best fit for free-agent cornerback Charvarius Ward, who spent 2021 with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Last May, the Minnesota Vikings agreed to a trade that sent a 2022 seventh-round draft pick and cornerback Mike Hughes to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for a 2022 sixth-round draft selection.

The Vikings just weren’t ever able to figure out how to best utilize Hughes, so they sent him to the Chiefs.

This year, there could be a cornerback who actually makes the jump from Minnesota to Kansas City. That’s at least according to a recent prediction from ESPN.

Minnesota Vikings viewed as best fit for Kansas City Chiefs CB Charvarius Ward in free agency

After the Vikings ranked 26th in passing yards allowed last season, fixing their secondary is likely going to be a top priority for the franchise this year. Minnesota will probably add some young defensive backs in the 2022 NFL Draft, but they will likely look to sign some veteran help in free agency as well.

Of the cornerbacks that are currently scheduled to become free agents when the new league year begins in March, ESPN’s Matt Bowen recently selected the Vikings as the “best fit” for free-agent corner Charvarius Ward.

Ward has spent all four seasons of his NFL career as a member of the Chiefs, and during the last three years, he’s started a total of 41 games. Undrafted out of Middle Tennessee State, the 6-foot-1, 195-pound defensive back ranked as PFF’s 21st-best corner (out of 116) in the NFL last season.

With Kansas City last year, Ward accumulated 67 tackles (two for a loss), 10 pass breakups, and two interceptions. He also allowed a completion percentage of 51.3 when targeted and a passer rating of 79.4 when targeted.