Vikings Could Turn to Former Packers Star Defender Late in NFL Free Agency

The Minnesota Vikings have now made it through the heat of NFL free agency and have also finished up the 2025 NFL draft. However, there are still some areas the team could look to improve.

One of those areas happens to be in the defensive secondary.

Kevin O'Connell and company were one of the best teams in football last year. They finished with a 14-3 record, but came up short in the wild card round of the playoffs against the Los Angeles Rams.

Already, the Vikings have undergone some major changes. Sam Darnold, the team's starting quarterback from 2024, is gone after signing a major three-year, $100.5 million contract. J.J. McCarthy is set to replace him as the starter.

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Defensively, Minnesota has also seen changes. Camryn Bynum, a starting safety, signed with the Indianapolis Colts in free agency. Stephon Gilmore, a veteran cornerback starter from last season, is still a free agent and hasn't been brought back.

Replacing Gilmore should be a majority priority before the start of the 2025 season. There is an intriguing player who has been brought up as a possible fit.

Not only would the Vikings be adding a quality player with the move, they would also be bringing in a former Green Bay Packers player back to the NFC North.

Ryan Smith of Pro Football Focus has named Rasul Douglas as an ideal target for Minnesota to bring in at the cornerback position.

"The Vikings will need to replace Stephon Gilmore, and Douglas is a natural fit in defensive coordinator Brian Flores' aggressive, blitz-heavy scheme," he wrote. "Minnesota had just five draft picks in the draft, and none were used on a defensive back, suggesting the team was confident it could address its cornerback depth through free agency."

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Douglas is coming off of a solid 2024 season with the Buffalo Bills. He played in 15 games, recording 58 total tackles to go along with a forced fumble and five defended passes.

Back in 2023, however, Douglas was a star. He played in 16 games split between the Packers and Bills, totaling 61 tackles, a sack, three fumble recoveries, five interceptions, a defensive touchdown, and 14 defended passes.

No one should expect him to replicate those numbers, but they show what he's capable of providing to a defense. Even at 30 years old, Douglas could be the impact defensive back the Vikings need to take the next step on that side of the ball.

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