Free-Agent Signings Are Key To Upgrading Minnesota Vikings Defense In 2023

If the Vikings are going to improve their defense in the 2023 season, it is going to take a lot more than hiring a new defensive coordinator.

While Brian Flores appears to be the right man for the job – he’s not going to play vanilla coverages and avoid blitzing – he needs quality defensive players in his lineup.

If management and the coaching staff is going to be honest, the Vikings defense does not have any players that it can count on for leadership and consistent big plays. Danielle Hunter was that player in 2018 and 2019, but it’s no longer the case. Ex-Packer Za’Darius Smith looked like he might be that player in the first half of the season, but he faded in the second half.

Veteran safety Harrison Smith is a smart leader with dependable ball skills, but he is on the downside of his career. He has one or two productive years left, but not more than that.

General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has his work cut out for him when it comes to getting rid of salary since the Vikings are $21.3 million over the cap, but he also has to identify the free agents that will be most helpful to the team.

In this piece, we look at four free agents who could help Flores build a game-changing defense and overcome the problems that the Vikings have had on that side of the ball for the last 3 seasons.

LB Germaine Pratt, Cincinnati Bengals

Pratt has been a consistent player for the Bengals in each of his four seasons with the team, and his improvement the last two years indicates that he could become a star at the position.

After recording 99 tackles and 6 tackles for loss a year ago, Pratt has demonstrated that he understands what the offense wants to do and that he has the skills to defeat those plays.

He is a versatile performer who can do n excellent job in pass coverage. He also recorded 10 passes defense and 2 interceptions.

DT Daron Payne, Washington Commanders

Payne has always been the kind of run defender who takes it personally when the opponent attempts to establish the interior run. He has the kind of “not on my watch” attitude that has been missing in Minnesota for multiple seasons.

Payne, 25, is one of the best in the league at his position, and he is coming off a season in which he demonstrated that he is far more than a run stuffer. He had 64 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks.

If the Vikings are going to make a run at Payne, they have to know they will not be alone. In addition to his sensational production, he is extremely durable. He has played in every game for the past three seasons.

CB Jonathan Jones, New England Patriots

Jones has that it factor the Vikings have been missing in the secondary for years. While the coaching staff and Vikings fans have held their breath when their cornerbacks have attempted to cover top wide receivers one on one, Jones is hungry for those situations.

The 29-year-old can do it all, and he excelled in coverage last season for New England. He had 4 interceptions and 11 passes defensed. He also has demonstrated that he is a strong run defender as he had 69 tackles last season.

Jones would represent a significant upgrade in pass coverage for the Vikings.

CB James Bradberry, Philadelphia Eagles

May fans understand that Bradberry was the Eagles defensive back who was flagged for holding late in the fourth quarter in the Super Bowl that allowed the Chiefs to run the clock down and eventually win the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

However, Bradberry is one of the best cover men in the NFL, and if Adofo-Mensah wants to make a huge splash in the offseason, he can set his sights on Bradberry. He had a remarkable 2022 season with 3 interceptions, 17 passes defensed and 44 tackles.

He has game-changing skills and the confidence to dominate.