NFL rumors: Minnesota Vikings to pursue Alterraun Verner
By Josh Hill
The Minnesota Vikings recently hired Jerry Gray to be their defensive backs coach, which now has fans pondering what will be done to upgrade the position that needs it so badly. Gray’s time spent with the Tennessee Titans has many thinking that cornerback Alterraun Verner could be an option for the Vikings, something ESPN blogger Ben Goessling doesn’t think is that hard to believe.
Goessling was asked about Verner in a recent Q&A with fans, and stated that Gray’s role with the Vikings certainty doesn’t hurt the team’s chances of landing the cornerback in free agency. Rather the decision is all about priority:
"25-year-old Pro Bowl cornerbacks don’t hit the market often, and Verner will likely get plenty of money, whether it’s from the Titans or someone else. The Vikings will have more than $20 million in cap space, and they could make a play for Verner, but they’d have to weigh that against other needs, especially if they decide to add a quarterback through means other than the draft."
Minnesota is expected to look at a quarterback in the draft, but they may have to choose between adding a veteran backup on the market or adding Verner. Given the Vikings terrible secondary the last few seasons, the choice seems obvious as Verner would instantly become the one of the best, if not the best defensive player the Vikings have.