Minnesota Vikings have yet to address cornerback depth, and there’s a good reason why
Sometimes, the answer isn’t a simple one.
The weakest position for the Minnesota Vikings is far and away the cornerback position.
Going into training camp, there were questions about the group as a whole, especially with Jeff Okudah solidifying himself as the third cornerback early on during training camp. They were so confident in him that they moved on from Mehki Blackmon, trading him to the Indianapolis Colts ahead of final cuts.
They have made a couple of minor moves with the practice squad, signing Fabian Moreau and K’Von Wallace, but general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has yet to make a move on the active roster.
Vikings not addressing cornerback could be deliberate
One element that Adofo-Mensah has been smart about is playing the roster math game. The focus on grading a general manager’s performance will be on talent acquisition through free agency and the NFL Draft. It’s completely fair to do so, as it’s arguably the most important element of the job.
However, managing the talent and the finances from a salary cap perspective is arguably just as important. That factor could be a major reason why the Vikings have yet to add a veteran cornerback to the active roster. Let me explain.
When it comes to vested veterans (those with four+ years of experience), if they are on the roster in Week 1, their contract becomes fully guaranteed. It’s a nice benefit for those who have been in the league for a while, but it can also be a negative, especially when competing for a roster spot with a young player.
Adofo-Mensah has already used this to his advantage in the past. Last year, the Vikings kept running back Myles Gaskin on the active roster until game week. Then, they released him right before and elevated him from the practice squad. Z
Doing so gave the Vikings the ability to cut him whenever they needed to, without incurring any dead salary cap. The Vikings must be comfortable with their cornerback room for Week 1, but signing a player afterward, when the contract isn’t fully guaranteed, will likely be a priority.
If they do choose to add a veteran cornerback, Stephon Gilmore and Shaquill Griffin are still available, which would be good from a getting up to speed perspective. However, there’s a reason the Vikings didn’t bring either guy back after decent seasons last year.
They could also be working hard on a trade for a veteran cornerback, but there likely aren’t many options since many of the top cornerbacks have signed extensions recently.
It’s an interesting idea for the Vikings to wait it out, but it could pay off big time.
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Minnesota Vikings have a dire need at cornerback and there are some fascinating prospects
Cornerback is the next position to get a major focus from Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
