The Minnesota Vikings’ defense has once again been one of the big storylines in the NFL. Last season, the defense was the only thing keeping the Vikings afloat at times. This season, they’re getting much more help from their offense but have still put together a scheme that has given opposing quarterbacks fits.
The defense has been a driving force in the Vikings’ undefeated start, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t areas that can be improved. Bleacher Report NFL analyst Matt Holder suggests one of those improvements could be at the cornerback position.
Byron Murphy has been one of the Vikings’ starting cornerbacks all season, but he’s also been a weak spot in the Vikings’ defense. Murphy has given up completions on more than 70% of the passes he’s been targeted and has allowed the opposing quarterback to achieve a passer rating over 117 when targeting him, according to the charting from PFF. Murphy has also missed several tackles this season, putting the defense in tough spots.
Those numbers have Holder suggesting the Vikings reach out to the Buffalo Bills and work out a trade for their former first-round cornerback, Kaiir Elam. Elam hasn’t been a factor during his three seasons with the Bills, but Holder argues that’s because he’s been overtaken on the depth chart by a good corner in his own right, Christian Benford.
Given the lack of playing time Elam has seen in Buffalo, it may not take much to pry him away from the Bills. That would be necessary for the Vikings, as they don’t have much draft capital to offer up in any potential trade. Still, it may be worth reaching out and getting a price check on the former first-rounder to see if he could be had and at least compete with Murphy for a starting spot.
