The Vikings saw a mass exodus in free agency last offseason, most notably in the defensive back corps.
Minnesota saw Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander all sign elsewhere. Rhodes and Waynes were the starters out wide, while Alexander was the team’s nickel corner.
Though the Vikings had more inexperienced players at corner, the team still retained Anthony Harris and Harrison Smith. Despite that, the team’s pass defense was inconsistent.
Pro Football Focus took notice. The outlet ranked the Vikings as having the 23rd best secondary in the league. Here’s what it said about Minnesota:
“Minnesota’s cornerbacks were as expected this season: Not good. Led by rookies Cameron Dantzler and Jeff Gladney, the Vikings had five corners log at least 125 coverage snaps this season. Just one produced a coverage grade above 51.0. That lone player was the 89th overall pick Dantzler, but he was still rather inconsistent. He did have the two best games we saw from a rookie corner this season in Weeks 13 and 15 — both of which eclipsed a 90.0 coverage grade — but he also had three games in which he earned a coverage grade in the 40s.”
Sure, Gladney and Dantzler had their mishaps, but the duo improved over the course of the season. With a better pass rush in 2021, the Vikings defensive backs won’t have to cover their receivers for as long. The new-look defense struggled in 2020, but next season the group could improve.