Matthew Coller: The future of the Vikings, Part 7: Cornerbacks

The Minnesota Vikings’ biggest question on defense heading into 2024 was whether they could get enough out of their cornerbacks to survive a difficult schedule of opposing QBs. While they had some limitations, the answer was certainly yes. The Vikings got nine interceptions out of the CBs and all three starters held opposing QBs under a 100 QB rating. But with those starters each set to hit free agency, what’s next for the cornerback room?

Let’s have a look…

Byron Murphy Jr.

Now that’s how you have a contract year.

Murphy Jr. was targeted the second most of any corner in the league in 2024 and made the opposition pay for going after him. He picked off six passes and allowed a passer rating of just 80.5 on throws into his coverage. PFF graded him as the 19th best starting corner in the NFL (out of 77). The 27-year-old also showed versatility, lining up in the slot on 307 snaps and outside on 643 plays.

How do you put an estimate on what Murphy Jr. is going to command in free agency? He certainly has a quality history as a corner but 2024 was by far his best year. If he is viewed as a top-20 type corner but not top-10, then that would put him in the range of players like Indy’s Kenny Moore or Tampa Bay’s Jamel Dean, then that would place him at somewhere between $10-$13 million.

That’s totally reasonable for him to return. It’s also not always how it works. There are plenty of teams around the league who are desperate for talent in the secondary and might be willing to pay him much more. An example would be the Titans going crazy for ex-Chief L’Jarius Sneed to the tune of $19.1 million per year. That would be a bridge too far, even if Murphy Jr. has been a legit difference maker in Brian Flores’s defense.

Stephon Gilmore

The Vikings signed Gilmore late in the offseason for $7 million. While he wasn’t the MVP that he once was, they got their money’s worth. Gilmore proved to be a glue guy for the Vikings defense that allowed them to avoid having a weak link that opponents could target time and time again. He played 860 snaps, ranked 48th of 77 by PFF with 55 completions on 83 targets and an opposing QB rating against of 99.4. Opposing teams only gained 9.8 yards per attempt on throws his way, which was 15th best.

Overall the Vikings finished with the second best opposing QB rating in the NFL in 2024. Gilmore playing solidly helped their pass defense more than it hurt, even if he had some limitations due to his age.

It would not be a surprise if Gilmore retires after this season. If he doesn’t, it would be a surprise if the Vikings brought him back.

Shaq Griffin

Griffin’s season can be viewed similarly to Gilmore. He wasn’t a game-changer but he played 572 snaps, gave up just a 53.7% completion percentage and 73.9 QB rating into his coverage. He also graded as an above average run defender. That’s a lot of value for a one-year, $4.5 million deal.

With the cap space that the Vikings are projected to have, it would make sense if they moved on from Griffin and looked for upgrades. However, if he is short on options, bringing him back as a depth at the right price might fit better than a lot of other options at similar cost.

Fabian Moreau

Because the Vikings secondary was healthy through nearly the entire season, Moreau didn’t end up being used often. He played 30+ snaps in three games (Arizona, Atlanta, Chicago) and was only targeted nine times with six receptions for 66 yards and two touchdowns. Moreau might still have enough in the tank to remain in the NFL but it doesn’t seem likely that he will be returning to the Vikings as they look for younger players to emerge.

Dwight McGlothern

The former Arkansas corner was not one of the biggest names in the undrafted free agent market — he was only ranked as the 8th best UDFA cornerback — yet he immediately flashed talent during training camp, joint practices and preseason. That sample size was enough to give the Vikings some confidence that they might have a potential development player who could eventually grow into a starter down the road. In 2024, McGlothern only saw 20 defensive snaps and 15 special teams plays, but he will enter next offseason as one of the most intriguing players in camp.