The Vikings have filled in the roster enough to take the best player available in the upcoming NFL Draft.
The Minnesota Vikings spent $300 million on 14 new players they signed in free agency to replenish their squad.
However, there are still sleepers available in free agency who might strengthen the roster even more, such as a ball-hawk cornerback they have previously pursued.
The Las Vegas Raiders cut cornerback Jack Jones, whom Minnesota had previously targeted on the waiver wire but lost to the Raiders due to their higher priority, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Jones, who was a highly sought-after playmaker and ballhawk at USC and led the Trojans with four interceptions as a sophomore in 2017, was selected in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots.
He brought his playmaking skills to the NFL. Jones has seven interceptions in his three seasons. Last season, Jones was a full-time starter who recorded 16 passes defensed and three interceptions.
Jones still needs to improve his coverage, but he has great big-play potential. As a rotational contributor, he had sub-70.0 passing ratings the prior two seasons before allowing a 115.8 passer rating last season.
The Vikings acquired Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Isaiah Rodgers in March; he is skilled in off-man and zone coverage and prioritizes instinct and quickness above size. Despite being small for the position at 5’11” and 188 pounds, Jones possesses the instincts needed to be a Brian Flores cornerback.
Jones fits that description and could play a similar backup position to Rodgers, Mekhi Blackmon, and Byron Murphy Jr. Additionally, Minnesota signed Jeff Okudah, a former first-round pick who is more likely to be an NFL press corner.
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