The NFL offseason is at a point where free agency and the NFL Draft have passed, but that doesn't mean that teams can't still add key pieces to their roster. The Minnesota Vikings could look to add someone to their roster still that could be crucial to their success in 2019.
Before the 2018 season, the Minnesota Vikings had high expectations after signing Kirk Cousins in free agency. The Vikings believed they were one franchise quarterback away from taking the next step towards a Super Bowl.
That didn't hold true as the Vikings struggled in the regular season. Minnesota ended the year with a record of 8-7-1 and missed the playoffs. Their defense struggled to begin the year but ended the year on a high note.
Last season can definitely be considered as a disappointment with how talented the Vikings roster is. In 2019, the Vikings will want to quickly forget about 2018 and make a playoff push.
For the Vikings, there are still holes that need to be filled at certain positions before training camp begins. Most notably, the Vikings need help at the cornerback position. Therefore, signing a guy like Morris Claiborne makes a ton of sense.
Claiborne is currently a free agent right now and could provide a much-needed boost in the secondary. For the last two seasons, Claiborne played for the New York Jets.
In his two seasons with the Jets, Claiborne started in 30 games and totaled three interceptions, 22 pass deflections, and 100 total tackles. The free agent cornerback has been very solid in the past few years and still has room for improvement.
Claiborne is 29 years old so he still has some gas left in the tank for the Vikings to find a long-term option at cornerback. Xavier Rhodes looked like he lost a step in 2018 but Minnesota could use someone on the opposite side of the field to help him revert back to his elite form.
Since last year, the Vikings have talked about possibly trading Trae Waynes. Even Rhodes has been rumored in trade talks this offseason. With this in mind, that shows that the Vikings realize they have a need at the cornerback position.
Claiborne may not be a splash move but he'd undoubtedly improve the cornerback group. Last season, the Vikings were the third-best team in the NFL against the pass—in terms of yards allowed.
Their defense as a whole was typical of a Mike Zimmer defense but their personnel at cornerback lacks much talent. Rhodes has been one of the best at his craft but if he performs like he did last season, the Vikings could struggle to stop the pass.
It's surprising that Claiborne remains without a team this deep into the offseason. The Vikings should consider signing the veteran cornerback with a chance they find a starter this late into the offseason.
After all, it's not like it's going to cost an arm and a leg for Claiborne to join the team. Winning organizations are able to find under-the-radar players at this point of the offseason. For both sides, it seems like a Vikings/Claiborne pairing would make a ton of sense for the 2019 season.
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