The Minnesota Vikings are looking to build on an impressive 14-3 season that ended in disappointment after the team was bounced in the wild-card round by the Los Angeles Rams.
Part of the process of doing that is shoring up a cornerbacks room that has some big question marks, as both Stephon Gilmore and Shaquil Griffin remain free agents. The Vikings did re-up with Byron Murphy, but more help is needed.
In a recent article predicting the landing spots for the top remaining free agents on the market, Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon pinned Cincinnati Bengals free-agent cornerback Mike Hilton to the Vikings.
Where he could land: Even with Byron Murphy Jr returning., the contending Vikings simply lack talent and depth at corner. An experienced and not-too-expensive addition like Hilton would be huge. They could use him in a multitude of ways.
Hilton just finished the final year of his $24 million contract with the Bengals. He posted a completion rate allowed of 67.2% and a passer rating of 92.0 in 2024.
The 31-year-old operates out of the slot, where Murphy saw some snaps last season. If added, Hilton would be tasked with working over the middle of the field while Murphy patrols the boundary.
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Hilton is projected to land a three-year, $37 million deal in free agency, per Spotrac, but we would assume he’ll get less than that now that we’re well into free agency. Either way, the Vikings can afford him.
With Hilton in the fold, the Vikings would have a solid starting trio with him, Murphy and free-agent acquisition Isaiah Rodgers. It wouldn’t be shocking to see Minnesota add to this group in the 2025 NFL Draft.
