The Minnesota Vikings made a few moves to help bolster their secondary, by signing two 30-year-old veteran defensive backs, Bobby McCain and Fabian Moreau. McCain last played on the New York Giants, but saw more snaps with Washington for two seasons. The former fifth-rounder from 2015 had a career-high four interceptions and nine pass deflections in 2021 with the Commanders after spending six seasons in Miami with the Dolphins.
Moreau spent his first four seasons with Washington, then played for the Falcons and Giants for consecutive years. He had his best season in 2019 for the Commanders with three interceptions but had more pass deflections in Atlanta with 11 in 2021. The former third-round pick from 2017 also had 10 pass deflections in New York for the Giants in 2022 before 2023, where he started for Denver.
Minnesota Vikings and their latest signings
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The Minnesota Vikings first made a move for the nickel cornerback, McCain, a versatile defensive back who has played free safety in the past. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the veteran reunites with his former defensive play-caller Brian Flores back when he was with the Miami Dolphins.
Flores was the head coach back in 2021 and could utilize the 30-year-old in many ways for his defense for Minnesota with training camp ensuing. The Vikings didn’t stop there, signing veteran Moreau just a day later, according to NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo. The 30-year-old started 11 games for the Broncos in 2023, as the Vikings get more corner help with the season-ending injury of Mekhi Blackmon. Minnesota’s other offseason signing, Shaquill Griffin, had an injury scare with a soft tissue leg issue and is week-to-week.
Secondary needed reinforcements due to multiple injuries
McCain may play a bigger role at safety for the Minnesota Vikings, with former first-round pick from 2022 Lewis Cine also dealing with another leg injury and is day-to-day. This is concerning for their secondary, as he is battling for a roster spot with both starting safety spots locked up. Cine missed most of his rookie year due to a season-ending compound fracture on his knee, to only start seven games last year with other hamstring issues popping up.
There have been rumors of a potential cut or trade, as he is battling for a position on the roster at this point in 2024. Veteran Harrison Smith is their designated starting strong safety, and Camryn Bynum, who is up for a new deal, is their starting free safety. Safety Joshua Metellus plays a hybrid role, playing some nickel corner and playing in the box as a linebacker at times.
Brian Flores looking to repeat 2024 magic
The Vikings are desperate for a starting cornerback opposite Byron Murphy Jr. with all the injuries occurring so far. The former second-round pick from the same draft, Andrew Booth Jr., is in the same boat as Cine, young but unproven, and hasn’t been able to stay healthy in Minnesota. The former fourth-rounder from two years ago, Akayleb Evans, has a shot to stick on the roster and start if he can beat out veterans that the Vikings brought in.
More moves could be coming before the cut day for the 2024 NFL regular season, with the Khyree Jackson tragedy leaving the position in flux. This could be a nightmare scenario for Flores, as this hodge podge at cornerback may not work out for his heavy blitzing scheme. With a good training camp, Moreau could be a potential starter or depth contributor option for Minnesota, and the same can be said with McCain.
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