Antoine Winfield Jr. Among Free Agents Worth the Money to Minnesota Vikings
Free agency isn’t always the best way to assemble a squad because players are more likely to be older, more prone to injuries, and expensive enough to outbid even substantial value. That isn’t the case, though, especially with Winfield and the Vikings.
Harrison Smith, a veteran safety, has played a full twelve years in Minnesota. However, he turned 35 in early February, and at the close of the previous campaign, he made it known that his mounting injuries were affecting his motivation to play the game every week.
Smith already accepted a pay reduction with the Vikings the previous season, and if he decides not to retire this offseason, he might still be cut. Meanwhile, Minnesota has serious questions on offense, particularly surrounding the Kirk Cousins saga and who will quarterback the offense moving forward.
It is imperative that the Vikings strengthen their defense, and the safety position will likely play a major role in this regard. Winfield is a young, gifted man with multiple ties to Minnesota.
According to Spotrac, acquiring the safety might cost the team as much as $92.5 million over the course of a five-year contract; however, Winfield is one of the few players who would almost definitely be worth the money.
Vikings Dubbed Best Fit for Superstar DB With $92 Million Projected Value
A number of the top free agents in the league could find the Minnesota Vikings to be an allure since they are poised to have one of the finest defenses in the NFL by 2024.
Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. of the Tampa Bay Bucs is one of those players. As he approaches his age-25 season in 2024, Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report declared on Thursday, February 15, that Minnesota is the greatest fit for the former second-round defensive back.
Winfield was PFF’s second-highest-graded safety in the league last season, and a closer look at his grades reveal just how much he means to the Bucs defense. Winfield was first in run defense grade, second in pass-rush grade and 10th in coverage.
Whether he’s lined up in the slot, playing as a box safety or tracking down deep balls as a deep safety, he provides the versatility to fit in with any scheme. His experience with a successful Buccaneers franchise should make him an attractive addition for numerous suitors.
One that should be particularly interested is the Minnesota Vikings. … Like Todd Bowles‘ system in Tampa Bay, Brian Flores has brought a blitz-happy approach to Minnesota that relies on multiple looks and blitz packages to wreak havoc. Winfield’s ability to play all over the field would give Flores someone to weaponize within his scheme.
