Former Titans cornerback Logan Ryan announced that he would be leaving Tennessee on his Instagram account.
Minnesota added several cornerbacks in the NFL Draft this year, but could Ryan still be an adequate signing this late in free agency? I think so.
The Vikings drafted TCU cornerback Jeff Gladney in the first round. I think Gladney could be a solid nickel corner and maybe even start out wide. Minnesota also took Mississippi State’s Cameron Dantzler in the draft, this time doing so in the third round. Dantzler could be a solid reserve and maybe start if he put on more weight.
Then, Minnesota took Temple’s Harrison Hand at No. 169, a fifth-round pick. He’s probably nothing more than a reserve.
On the roster before the draft, there was Holton Hill, Mike Hughes, Kris Boyd and others. I think Hill and Hughes could very well be the starters, but Ryan could come in and be another starting-caliber corner. Here are some reasons why he’d be a good fit.
His stats make him a lot better than what the Vikings are used to
Ryan is coming off a 2019 campaign where he had 18 pass deflections and four interceptions. Ryan’s pass deflections ranked him third in the NFL last season.
To give you some perspective: Trae Waynes had eight pass deflections and Xavier Rhodes had six. Those two were Minnesota’s starters in 2019, and now the players left to replace them are reserves from 2019 or rookies.
I think if the Vikings signed Ryan, he’d be the best cornerback on the team; no question about that. There is a question of whether the Vikings have enough space to sign him, but if they do, they should try.
Hughes and Hill have their question marks
Personally, I’m a little worried about Hughes and Hill. It’s not a matter of whether they are good or not. I think they are both good corners. The question is whether they can stay on the field.
Hughes suffered a broken vertebra in his neck in 2019, and has suffered other injuries in past years. He still finished 2019 with nine pass deflections.
Hill was suspended on two separate suspensions for a total of eight games in 2019. He served a four-game suspension for a violation of the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy. He also had a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy and program on substances of abuse. He had one pass deflection in eight games played.
If you told me Hughes and Hill started 16 games for Minnesota next season, I would think that the Vikings could spend their money elsewhere. However, Ryan is a big boost to a cornerback unit that could very well be inconsistent. As much as people love Hughes and Hill, Rhodes and Waynes still started over them quite often. Not only that, but the rookies the team has are still unknowns.
I think the Vikings should take a chance if they can afford to take on his contract.
