The Minnesota Vikings are going to need some safety help if they lose future Hall of Famer Harrison Smith to retirement this offseason. The team lost Camryn Bynum in free agency last offseason, and they suffered in his absence, but they will have Joshua Metellus back, who has emerged as a dynamic weapon on defense.
However, they need to make sure they have a dynamic duo at safety. Mettellus is one of the more underrated players at his position, but he can’t take on much more in terms of assignments. That being said, perhaps help can come via free agency?
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PFF’s Mason Cameron wrote up perfect free agent fits for the safety class, and Bryan Cook of the Kansas City Chiefs was deemed to be a fit for the Vikings.
Cameron writes, “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.”
Cook, who is thriving with Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, should be a good indication that he could handle Brian Flores’ assignments. He is an underrated free agent and likely won’t have Vikings fans jumping out of their seats until they see him play in September.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: NFL free agency: Vikings named best spot for safety in 2026