For a little while, there has been an odd Vikings theory. Asante Samuel Jr., a talented young corner, has been linked to Minnesota for several months (with SKOR North, if I’m not mistaken, being the source of the rumor).
Well, the theory now has more credibility. Minnesota is going to bring the free agent to town for a workout. Jordan Schultz offers the update, writing, “Sources: The #Packers and #Vikings are also scheduled to have visits with CB Asante Samuel Jr. But #Panthers are first today, I’m told.”
The CB Vikings Theory Suddenly Plausible
If the Schultz reporting is accurate, then the Vikings have some competition.
Consider what he earlier reported as it relates to Carolina, a team that’s surprisingly sitting at 5-4: “Sources: Former #Chargers CB Asante Samuel Jr., who was recently cleared by doctors after undergoing a spinal fusion procedure, is starting to take visits and will have the #Panthers first.”
One need not be a football genius to decode why there’s interest.
At 26, Mr. Samuel still has a lot of football left in his lungs and legs. He was chosen at No. 47 in the 2021 NFL Draft — the same event where Christian Darrisaw got scooped up — so we’re talking about someone who has the potential to play for a long time yet.
At 5’10” and 180 pounds, Samuel isn’t the world’s most imposing presence at corner but he has nevertheless played strong football.
His career has involved playing in 50 games, starting 47. Along the way, Samuel has plucked 6 interceptions out of the sky while piling up 37 passes defended. A normal season sees him sitting on a pair of INTs alongside double digit PDs. Good stuff.
On PurplePTSD, Janik Eckardt considered the upcoming tryout.
“During the visits,” Eckardt clarifies, “the teams have a chance to make their case why they are the best destination for the 26-year-old’s next career steps. Another key aspect is that they can have their team doctors examine his injuries. Samuel Jr. is primarily unsigned because of a back surgery he underwent in April and ongoing shoulder problems.”
Further insight: “The Vikings have dealt with cornerback struggles since the 2020 offseason when Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes departed. It’s been quite a rotational door ever since, but at least Pro Bowler Byron Murphy has brought some consistency.”
For his career, Samuel has primarily been an outside corner. The former Chargers corner has lined up along the outside for 2,780 snaps. The next closest spot comes in at 175 snaps when Samuel has been dropped down into the box. Coach Flores loves versatile players, but onboarding Asante Samuel may be about getting help along the boundary.
As for cap space, the Vikings will be capable of dropping down some serious cash if there’s a desire to do so. GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has close to $16.5 million in open room, more than enough to sign a corner who is most likely to receive a modest prove-it deal.
Adding Asante Samuel would be about fortifying a position that’s aching for reinforcements in 2025. Seeing Samuel thrive would mean possibly finding a player who can stick around for a while to help out at one of football’s preeminent positions.
