The Vikings Can Kick Off The Flores Era Defense Well With These Players
Many defensive players have played with Brian Flores over his coaching career, and have achieved a great deal of success. Fresh off signing with the Vikings as their defensive coordinator, Flores looks to hit the ground running. Here are three guys that Minnesota could target via free agency, a trade, and this year’s NFL draft.
Free Agent-Nik Needham CB (Unrestricted Free Agent)
Needham fills a need for the Vikings when it comes to a reliable starting-caliber cornerback. He also was with the Dolphins when Flores was the head coach in 2019-21.
He is an excellent tackler with 181 tackles in his 3.5 seasons in the league. He also has three sacks and six interceptions as well. Flores could use him as a blitzer more often and take advantage of his man coverage skills.
Player To Trade For- Xavien Howard CB (Miami Dolphins)
Xavien Howard has been a great cornerback since he entered the league in 2016. He has a total of 275 tackles, two sacks, and 28 interceptions, with four forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries.
He would be a true number-one cornerback as Patrick Peterson enters the later stages of his career and Cam Dantzler has struggled to stay on the field consistently.
He is big, physical, fast, and strong. The only knock on his game is that he can be flat-footed at times, and he can rely on his hands and grab the receiver. He can be relied on to make tackles and could be used in blitz packages in Flores’s aggressive defensive scheme.
Player To Draft- Trenton Simpson LB (Clemson)
Simpson has the potential to be a day 1 starter and is someone that can be positionless. That is to say that he could drop back in coverage as a linebacker or rush the passer as a defensive end.
He can be truly disruptive with his speed and strength. Has the ability to destroy blocks and be a game-changer, someone you have to scheme against as an offense. He will need to work on being a better defender at the second level as he can get blocked easily at times in that zone.
Here are three players that the Vikings could use to turn their defense around under Brian Flores. If he wants to be as aggressive as he has been in the past, the Vikings will need to get younger and quicker. These guys fit that bill and would be a great way to instantly turn this defense around.
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