Dec 16, 2018; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Josh Reynolds (83) is tackled short of the end zone by Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Rasul Douglas (32) during the second half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports. Whether the Minnesota Vikings need another starting-caliber cornerback is a hot topic for debate, some three weeks away from the teams training camp.
The Vikings have been connected to Rasul Douglas, according to Bleacher Report. The signing would make some sense if GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is in the mood.
Last summer, Minnesota lost two cornerbacks to awful circumstances, and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah signed five-time Pro Bowler Stephon Gilmore to hedge the bet. Gilmore performed well in Minnesota as a patchover solution.
And if the Vikings pull off that same trick, adding another CB, Bleacher Report knows just the guy Rasul Douglas.
BRs Matt Holder published an article this week detailing the best landing spots for the leagues top free agents, and regarding Douglas, Minnesota seemingly makes sense.
Sep 10, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Rasul Douglas (29) takes a moment alone before playing against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers-USA TODAY Sports. Holder explained the fit: Staying within the NFC North, the Vikings could use some help in their secondary after deciding not to bring Stephon Gilmore back. Jeff Okudah and Isaiah Rodgers are currently expected to start on the boundary, but those two were backups with the Houston Texans and Philadelphia Eagles, respectively, last season. Adding Douglas would upgrade the cornerback room in Minnesota.
The Philadelphia Eagles drafted Douglas in the third round eight years ago, and he has played 120 games since, starting 80. The man has experience.
The soon-to-be 30-year-old has signed nowhere through four months of free agency.
Heres what Holder noted on Douglas, on the whole: At 623 with 32\ arms, Douglas is a long cornerback who uses his limbs well to make plays on the ball. The eight-year pro has racked up 19 interceptions and 79 pass breakups during his tenure in the NFL.
However, hes coming off one of the worst years of his career with no picks and just five pass breakups, which is tied for a personal low and the second-fewest of his career, respectively. The former Buffalo Bill also allowed a 123.7 passer rating when targeted and posted a 58.9 coverage grade last season, per Pro Football Focus. Combine that with his age, and it makes sense why Douglas is available.
Dec 3, 2018; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Rasul Douglas (32) reacts after his open field tackle during the fourth quarter against the Washington Redskins at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports. Douglas has actually been a frequent topic in the Vikings rumor mill since the draft, an event in which the Vikings drafted no rookie cornerbacks.
Still, plenty of teams could use some help at cornerback and would benefit from at least bringing him into training camp, Holder concluded.
For those new to Douglas resume, heres his PFF history:
- 2024: 53.9
- 2023: 81.0
- 2022: 71.1
- 2021: 74.5
- 2020: 60.2
- 2019: 52.4
- 2018: 72.5
- 2017: 64.1
And the vital passer-rating-against skinny:
- 2024: 122.0
- 2023: 73.1
- 2022: 88.5
- 2021: 44.5
- 2020: 108.5
- 2019: 114.2
- 2018: 98.5
All things considered, especially the above-listed statistics, Minnesota might be better off with a free agent like Mike Hilton or Jack Jones if Adofo-Mensah needs another corner in the first place. Douglas encountered a down season in 2024.
Theres also the matter of the Vikings desire to sign a corner at all.
Free agency is four months old, and they signed Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah in March. The club is vocally high on Rodgers, and even Justin Jefferson claimed that Okudah had been annoying in a good football way at organized team activities and mandatory minicamp.
Aug 23, 2018; Cleveland, OH, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Rasul Douglas (32) reacts following a pass interference call against him during the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports. While it wouldnt be stunning for Minnesota to sign Douglas, Hilton, or Jones, wouldnt they have locked that plan in by now?
Asante Samuel Jr.s free agency should also be monitored, too, if Adofo-Mensah signs one more CB. His medical outlook should become public this month.
Holder also mentioned the Green Bay Packers as a reunion landing spot for Douglas: Douglas revived his career with the Packers in 2021, and a reunion would make a lot of sense. After moving on from Jaire Alexander last month, Green Bay is expected to start Nate Hobbs and Keisean Nixon at outside cornerback.
Both Hobbs and Nixon are better at nickelback, though, so adding Douglas could allow one of them to move back to their more natural position.
Green Bay Packers cornerback Rasul Douglas (29) celebrates breaking up a pass intended for Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (85) in the end zone during second quarter of their game on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023 at Soldier Field in Chicago. � Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK. And the Los Angeles Rams for the veteran corner: Head coach Sean McVay made it no secret that he was interested in bringing back Jalen Ramsey, whom the Miami Dolphins recently traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers. After missing out on the Ramsey sweepstakes, the Rams could still use some help at cornerback as they make another Super Bowl push with the aging Matthew Stafford at quarterback.
Douglas will turn 30 next month.
