Vikings News: Minnesota adds former second-round pick to defense

Monday began with some Minnesota Vikings news about the team agreeing to a contract with former New England Patriots cornerback Joejuan Williams.

It didn’t take long for some Minnesota Vikings news to happen this week, as it was revealed on Monday that the team has agreed to a contract with free-agent cornerback Joejuan Williams, who was selected in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots.

Vikings News: What is Minnesota getting in former New England Patriots CB JoeJuan Williams

Cornerback depth is certainly something the Vikings were lacking this offseason following the departures of Patrick Peterson, Duke Shelley, Cameron Dantzler, and Kris Boyd. So, at the very least, the signing of Williams will add some much-needed experience to Minnesota’s corner room for the 2023 season.

After spending his college career at Vanderbilt, the 6-foot-3, 212-pound Williams was drafted by the Patriots in the second round back in 2019. Some might think there is a connection between him and new Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, but Flores was in the middle of his first year as the Miami Dolphins head coach when the corner was drafted in 2019.

In his first two years with New England, Williams spent most of his time on special teams. Then in 2021, he was given more snaps with the Patriots defense. During the 2021 season, he allowed his coverage to haul in 55.6 percent of their targets, and opposing passers had a 96.8 rating when throwing in his direction.

Williams missed the entire 2022 campaign after New England placed him on injured reserve before the start of the regular season due to a shoulder injury.