Vikings looking at FA CB

Dontae Johnson measured 6'2.1" 200 at the combine. He ran a 4.45 forty.

Jumped 38 1/2".  Broad jumped 10'04".  Did a 6.82 3-cone and 12 reps on the bench.

Lastyear he started every game for the 49ers and had 77 tackles with 7 passes defended and 1 interception.

He is no Terrence Newman but he turns 27 on Dec 1st.

Could be a sneaky good depth signing if they sign him.  Certainly better than Sherels, Richardson, and Tocho.

From RotoWorld:

Free agent CB Dontae Johnson has visited the Vikings.

Johnson was a 16-game starter for the 49ers last season, but as evidenced by the fact that he is still on the open market, he was not effective. At least according to Pro Football Focus' ratings, he was one of the worst corners in the league. Johnson would be in for a reserve/special teams role in Minnesota. 

Apr 10 - 4:45 PM

Not at all familiar with him so googled his name. 

Johnson is 26 years old with plus size (6’2/200) and speed (4.45), but he was a trainwreck as a starter in San Francisco, last year grading out as PFF’s No. 120 cornerback out of 120 qualifiers. He has two INTs in 22 career starts.

At least he'll be cheap!

Sign him cheap and see if he can improve.  If not, he won't make it out of training camp and really no great loss money wise.

At North Carolina State, Johnson started as a safety, played nickel cornerback and then outside cornerback. He has good speed, running a 4.45-second 40-yard dash at the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine

Sounds like a scheme and technique problem.  He has the size and speed to be a good nickle.  Hopefully with some coaching he can become an asset.

It would be great if Zimmer could work  his  magic  with the kid and make him a  productive member of the defensive backfield.  Who can say, anything is possible.  How many late bloomers come around by just moving to another team?

@"ArizonaViking" said: It would be great if Zimmer could work  his  magic  with the kid and make him a  productive member of the defensive backfield.  Who can say, anything is possible.  How many late bloomers come around by just moving to another team?

He does not really compare with Hayward.

It is unlikely and it probably does not affect the draft plans at CB and it shouldn't.

He could get signed for likely very little and then be cut.

He left though.  I am guessing that he wants to try to find a secondary where he has a better chance of getting playing time as that increases his chances of signing a bigger contract.

This secondary really does not provide much playing time hope for free agents.

Not somebody I am at all excited about signing.  Now if it was Eric Reid or Tre Boston, that would be different. But they are safeties.

Not sure it's the right guy, but it's the right approach. With three 1st rounders and a 2nd rounder already there, it makes more cap sense to fill the DB needs in free agency (maybe even after 6/1), than to invest another high pick on one. 

@"MaroonBells" said: Not sure it's the right guy, but it's the right approach. With three 1st rounders and a 2nd rounder already there, it makes more cap sense to fill the DB needs in free agency (maybe even after 6/1), than to invest another high pick on one. 

@"dadevike" said:

@"MaroonBells" said: Not sure it's the right guy, but it's the right approach. With three 1st rounders and a 2nd rounder already there, it makes more cap sense to fill the DB needs in free agency (maybe even after 6/1), than to invest another high pick on one. 

That presupposes that there will be a FA CB available that the Vikings like. And that we have the cap space to sign him taking into consideration all the current players we already need to extend.

Yahoo Sports reports Johnson signed with the Seahawks today, so...
Maybe Vikings should try to sign Byron Maxwell? He was a hot FA target a few years ago. In hindsight I am glad we didn't get him...but might be good enough as depth.

 Zim must of caught wind of his PFF grades... he’s a Squawk!  ;) 

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"dadevike" said:

@"MaroonBells" said: Not sure it's the right guy, but it's the right approach. With three 1st rounders and a 2nd rounder already there, it makes more cap sense to fill the DB needs in free agency (maybe even after 6/1), than to invest another high pick on one. 

That presupposes that there will be a FA CB available that the Vikings like. And that we have the cap space to sign him taking into consideration all the current players we already need to extend.

It would obviously be a lower-tier free agent so cap space wouldn't be an issue.  It's not like he has to be Deion freaking Sanders. People talk about our corner situation like its Wasswa Serwanga and Robert Tate back there. We have two 1st rounders who are playing better every year, and a 2nd round nickel. We need a 4th corner who can replace Newman and push Alexander in the slot. Depth. The only reason you'd draft a corner #1 is if you were going to move on from Waynes. And even then, he's technically not free until 2020. 

A free agent would also be someone we knew could play in the NFL, unlike a draft pick (remember, players like Justin Gilbert and Dee Milliner were top 10 corners...and busts). Yeah, I know, ALL draft picks are shots in the dark regardless of position. But call me crazy, I don't want to take that expensive shot on a player who is going to be, at best, a 4th corner for at least 2 years. Give me someone I can put in my DL rotation or give me an OL who can protect my 84 million dollar investment. 

The Vikings may like younger CBs. Zimmer, not so much. Jones and Newman weren't exactly spring chickens when they become Bengals.

Well, Darrelle Revis, DRC, Pac Man, and Bryce McCain are all available.