Vikings named perfect landing spot for versatile defender Brian Flores can maximize

During the course of free agency and the NFL Draft , the Minnesota Vikings didn't do a whole lot to improve the secondary.

They did keep Harrison Smith, Theo Jackson, and Byron Murphy Jr., signing them to new contracts. Those were all necessary piecs for Brian Flores' defense, even though he doesn't prioritize getting elite players at thos positions.

Other than keeping those players, the biggest signing that general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mesnah made was to bolster the secondary was cornerback Isaiah Rodgers on a two-year contract worth up to $15 million. Not exactly the sexiest signing.

Vikings named best fit for CB Rasul Douglas

With the lack of attention paid to the secondary, analysts everywhere are looking at who the Vikings could sign to bolster the unit. One player Pro Football Focus' Ryan Smith thinks the Vikings should bring in is former Buffalo Bills cornerback Rasul Douglas.

Douglas is coming off a disappointing season in which he ranked 102nd out of 116 qualifying cornerbacks with a 53.9 PFF overall grade. He was strong the previous three years, earning a career-best 81.0 PFF overall grade in 2023.

The eight-year veteran has been a ballhawk in the NFL, recording at least seven pass breakups in six different seasons and picking off 14 passes from 2021-2023. Durability is a positive in Douglas’ game, as well. He has averaged 984 snaps per season since 2022.

The Vikings will need to replace Stephon Gilmore, and Douglas is a natural fit in defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ aggressive, blitz-heavy scheme. Minnesota had just five draft picks in the draft, and none were used on a defensive back, suggesting the team was confident it could address its cornerback depth through free agency.

Adding a cornerback is a good idea for the Vikings, especially since the room is currently unproven. Is Douglas the best bet for the Vikings? I think it could make some sense, but it would likely come down to what his cost would be. 

Would it be smart for the Vikings to pay Douglas upward of $4-6 million? Probably not, but that is likely what he would end up costing. However, adding a piece is something that many will end up predicting will happen until it does.