Three attractive free agent DBs with ties to Brian Flores
The Minnesota Vikings must consider signing these three free agent defensive backs with ties to Brian Flores.
The Minnesota Vikings’ defense will look much different in 2023 due to the hire of defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
Flores runs an aggressive scheme, which often puts his cornerbacks in man coverage. In order to flourish in this new system, the Vikings must first find capable cornerbacks who can hold their own in one-on-one situations against some of the league’s best receivers.
Cornerbacks Duke Shelley and Patrick Peterson started on the outside for the Vikes to the end of last season, but Peterson is set to hit free agency and Shelley still has plenty of room to grow.
If the Vikings choose to solidify their secondary on the free agent market, there are three fantastic options with ties to Flores that the team must consider.
Cameron Sutton – Pittsburgh Steelers
Sutton took a massive leap in 2022. He allowed just 388 yards when targeted and maintained an impressive 65.3 passer rating allowed. Flores was able to view the 28-year-old’s development from the sidelines in his role as linebackers coach with the Steelers last season.
The Steelers are expected to make a push to re-sign Sutton, but if they can’t find it within their budget he is exactly the type of player Flores would be interested in. It should be noted that according to Spotrac, Sutton’s market value is expected to fall somewhere between $7-8 million annually for whichever team ends up inking him.
Jonathan Jones – New England Patriots
Jones’ relationship with Flores dates all the way back to 2016 when the Vikes’ DC was working with the Patriots as a linebackers coach. After spending three years together in New England, Flores took over as the Dolphins’ head coach where he saw Jones twice per year in the AFC East.
Jones, 29, is coming off a 2022 season in which he set career highs in interceptions (4) and passes defensed (11). In 2022, Jones made the switch from the slot corner position to the outside, where he starred across the field from Jalen Mills. He led all free agent cornerbacks in tackles last season and finished second in interceptions. Spotrac lists his market value to come in around $12 million per year.
Eric Rowe – Miami Dolphins
Not only was Rowe a part of those Patriots teams from 2017-2018, but he came with Flores over to Miami in 2019. In Miami, Rowe proved to be a versatile safety, but also has experience at cornerback.
In 2022, Rowe, 30, was phased out late in the season in Miami’s secondary, but his best years came under Flores’ tutelage. He’s a tackling machine on the back end of the defense and figures to be the most affordable of the three players listed. Spotrac lists his market value at $3 million per year, making him an ideal rental piece on a one-year deal.
Featured image via BILL INGRAM /THE PALM BEACH POST / USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK
