3 moves the Vikings could still make in free agency in 2023
By Nik Edlund
Sign another cornerback
The Vikings did well signing Byron Murphy from Arizona. He’s a versatile cover corner who can play inside or out. He’ll definitely be on the outside and will be the Vikings’ number one corner getting paired up against an opponent’s top target.
The issue is who is corner No. 2, and after that is solved, the depth gets very thin very quickly. Corner two right now looks like Andre Booth Jr. He couldn’t stay healthy a season ago and is basically going to be a rookie in 2023.
If he doesn’t pan out, then Akayleb Evans is next man up, and while he showed some flashes, he also had his fair share of concussions last year and missed a handful of games.
Duke Shelley wasn’t retained, so the depth behind those three is contrived of Kalon Barnes, Tay Gowan, and that’s it. Even if the Vikings use a high draft pick on a cornerback, the inexperience at this position is jarring.
Signing another corner should almost be a priority for this team. There are still some attractive options left on the free agent wire.
Rock Ya-Sin, Byron Jones, Marcus Peters, Joejuan Williams, and Shaq Griffin are just a few of the names available. It is possible a signing comes after the draft, but getting one more veteran in this cornerback room would be huge for this Vikings defense.