ESPN believes Vikings are the perfect fit for top free agent
One of the Vikings’ top offseason priorities is to find a way to bring in more talent on the defensive side of the ball. Minnesota hired Brian Flores as its new defensive coordinator, but the team must now find the right players to fit his scheme. Minnesota will have to move some money around in […]
One of the Vikings’ top offseason priorities is to find a way to bring in more talent on the defensive side of the ball.
Minnesota hired Brian Flores as its new defensive coordinator, but the team must now find the right players to fit his scheme. Minnesota will have to move some money around in order to make a splash in free agency, but ESPN believes the Vikings are the perfect landing spot for one of the top free agents in 2023.
It’s paramount to have cornerbacks who can hold their own in coverage in order for Flores’ blitz-happy scheme to be effective. So going out and signing one of the top cover corners available, like Byron Murphy, would make sense.
Murphy checks in at No. 38 on ESPN’s top 50 available players list. ESPN’s Matt Bowen makes his case for Murphy and Minnesota.
"The Vikings would have to make some moves to create more money on the salary cap, but there is a real need for coverage corners in Minnesota to fit the scheme of new defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Only Detroit and Chicago allowed more yards per pass attempt than the Vikes last season (7.3). Murphy's production took a hit this season — four pass breakups — but he did record four interceptions and 12 pass breakups in 2021. And he has the man-coverage traits to play inside or outside the numbers."
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Drafted in the second round of the 2019 draft, Murphy spent his first four seasons in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals. Up until a back injury that sidelined him for the back half of the 2022 season, Murphy has shown plenty of promise.
In 2021, Murphy totaled 12 passes defended and four interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. He showed his versatility in 2022 by recording three tackles for loss and two fumbles recovered, including one that was returned for a touchdown.
His ball skills are exactly what the Vikings were missing last season. If Minnesota intends to take the next step and compete for the NFC title, signing Murphy would send a strong message to the rest of the contenders.
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