Last offseason, the Vikings inked a two-year contract with free agent cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. to bolster their secondary. With Murphy being an experienced player still in his mid-20s, he perfectly aligned with the type of talent General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah prefers to pursue.
This year, will they revisit a similar strategy? The Vikings are in need of another starting cornerback to fortify Brian Flores’ defensive scheme. ESPN’s Matt Bowen has identified them as the most suitable destination for a 26-year-old free agent cornerback, who was drafted just six picks after Murphy in 2019. That player is Sean Murphy-Bunting, formerly of the Buccaneers and Titans, ranking 38th in Bowen’s top 50 free agents list.
Initially, Murphy-Bunting was speculated to join Arizona, but it’s believed the Vikings will be actively seeking cornerbacks for Flores’ aggressive defensive system, making Murphy-Bunting an ideal fit for Minnesota. With his imposing stature and smooth movement, Murphy-Bunting excels in challenging outside receivers and covering blitz situations. Throughout his five-year professional career, he has amassed eight interceptions and 22 pass breakups, including two interceptions in his tenure with the Titans in 2023.
Murphy-Bunting emerged as a standout at Central Michigan before being drafted 39th overall by Tampa Bay in 2019. During his four-year tenure with the Buccaneers, he started 36 regular-season games and clinched a Super Bowl victory in his sophomore season. Notably, he intercepted a pass in each of the Buccaneers’ three NFC playoff victories, leading to a showdown with the Chiefs. Following a one-year contract with the Titans last season, where he started 14 games, Murphy-Bunting has demonstrated his versatility to play various roles on the field and showcased his knack for making game-changing plays. His acquisition would undoubtedly strengthen Flores’ defensive unit and provide Minnesota with a valuable asset this offseason.
