Vikings 2021 NFL Draft primer: Can Kirk Cousins get them over the hump?
By Darral Nail
Vikings offseason thus far
With a defensive-minded coach and a comparatively strong 2020 effort from its offense, the Vikings chose to focus on the other side of the ball in free agency, adding reinforcements in terms of 6 should-be contributors for the team’s 2021 defensive unit.
Headlined by the addition of soon-to-be 31-year-old cornerback Patrick Peterson, an established star fresh off a 10 year run as the face of the Arizona Cardinals, the defensive backfield represented a predictable focus for the team in this offseason’s free agency proceedings.
Joining Peterson among the new faces in the Minnesota secondary will be safety Xavier Woods and cornerback Mackensie Alexander.
Woods comes to the Vikings by way of the Dallas Cowboys, for whom he spent 3 of his 4 seasons as a starting safety. A versatile player who has proven capable of playing either safety position, Woods figures to slide into the position opposite All-Pro Harrison Smith on the unit’s backend, an opening made available by the departure of Anthony Harris.
Alexander, technically a new addition, will resume his career as a Viking following a one-year detour in Cincinnati. A proven commodity in the slot, his signing appears particularly prescient given the recent off-field developments with 2020 first rounder Jeff Gladney.
Not satisfied with merely addressing their secondary, Minnesota inked defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson to a 2-year, $22 million contract in hopes of bolstering the team’s defensive line. A former second round pick out of Alabama, Tomlinson appeared as a starter in each of the 64 games he played as a New York Giant.
Vikings General Manager has praised Tomlinson as a playmaker in run support who can also impact the opposing quarterback in passing situations. Along with Michael Pierce, a defensive lineman the Vikings signed to a 3-year, $27 million deal in the 2019 offseason before he opted out of the 2020 season, the talented newcomers figure to offer a significant upgrade to the team’s defensive front.