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Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell looks on after his team’s loss against the Seattle Seahawks.
The Vikings have some work to do on the defensive side of the ball, most notably their secondary.
At the moment, only Byron Murphy Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers Sr. are contracted starters in 2026. The rest of the corner room is a bunch of UDFA’s. Additionally, their safety room is a bit shaky as well.
Theo Jackson wasn’t great in 2025, and neither was Josh Metellus. They were serviceable, as the Brian Flores defense is great at hiding flaws. Harrison Smith was solid per usual, but it’s very likely that he will announce his retirement soon.
Everyone agrees the Vikings need corner help, but they need safety help as well. Thankfully, Pro Football Focus may have a solution for Minnesota.
Vikings Named Best Landing Spot for Bryan Cook
GettyNEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – FEBRUARY 09: Bryan Cook #6 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates an interception with Jaden Hicks #21 in the second quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles during Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome on February 09, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Cook was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs at 67th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. He has been a solid player, being part of two Super Bowl winning efforts. He is a pending unrestricted free agent, and is primed to test the market when it opens on March 13th.
PFF explains why the Vikings are the best fit for Cook should he not return to Kansas City.
“Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ aggressive, blitz-heavy scheme profiles as the perfect fit for a safety acquainted with another scheme that also deploys unique blitz packages in Steve Spagnuolo’s Chiefs defense.
There are nuances to playing solid coverage behind an aggressive defensive front, and Bryan Cook showed he is well-equipped to handle the role this past season, earning an 80.3 PFF coverage grade when the defense blitzes.
Grading out above the 90th percentile as both a safety and in the slot, Cook also possesses the versatility to be a central piece that allows Flores’ scheme to shine. His skill set is in a similar vein to that of the longtime veteran leader of the Vikings’ defense, and impending free agent, Harrison Smith.”
A good young replacement for Harrison Smith would go a long way for a Vikings defense needing young talent.
Minnesota Named Top Landing Spot for CB Mike Hilton
GettyNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – DECEMBER 15: Mike Hilton #21 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates an interception against the Tennessee Titans in the second quarter at Nissan Stadium on December 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
PFF also recently named the Vikings as the best landing spot for veteran CB Mike Hilton.
Hilton will be 32 by the time free agency begins, which is a bit concerning. However, PFF claims he could provide a lot of value for a Vikings team that needs to win in 2026.
“While Mike Hilton saw limited time on the field in 2025, his overall profile suggests he has far more to contribute in the right situation. Hilton could step in and man the slot role to a high level. Evidenced by his 76.3 slot PFF coverage grade since the start of 2023 — the seventh-highest mark in the NFL over that span.
Additionally, the veteran cornerback could be used as a versatile weapon in blitz packages. He has been in previous stops with the Bengals and Steelers, with whom he generated seven or more pressures in each full season of his career. ”
Minnesota does need young talent on the defensive side of the ball. However, they must find a balance between a rebuilt defense and one that can win. The Vikings’ defense was a large reason why they finished with a winning record in 2026.
With Brian Flores being locked up long-term, you can count on a good defense as long as he’s around.
Brevan Bane Brevan Bane is a sports scribe covering the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Minnesota Vikings and Cincinnati Bengals. Brevan began his writing career by making a platform on Twitter and leveraging his presence into writing and content creation opportunities for outlets like PurplePTSD, Vikings Territory, The Noise, Hockey Wilderness, and the VikesNow YouTube channel. You can follow him on X @brevmanbane. More about Brevan Bane
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