Jaire Alexander is no longer an option for the 2025 Minnesota Vikings, wiped off the free-agent market by the Baltimore Ravens on Wednesday.
So, the Vikings didn’t land Jaire Alexander, but two flashy cornerback options remain on the docket, at least in theory — and they’re both high-profile names.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted, “Lamar Jackson and Jaire Alexander played together at Louisville. And now they will do it again in Baltimore. Compensation update: Former Packers CB Jaire Alexander signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the Ravens. He turned down more to be in Baltimore with his former college teammate, Lamar Jackson.”
Some Vikings fans legitimately believed Minnesota would be in the Alexander sweepstakes, but the Ravens, alas, got their man.
And without Alexander, Minnesota has two other high-profile and realistic options.
What Happens Next for the Vikings?
Option No. 1: Asante Samuel Jr. from Free Agency
Asante Samuel Jr. personally was the epicenter of the Vikings’ rumor mill in April, as some jumped on a spicy SKOR North rumor before the draft. But the former Los Angeles Chargers defender’s medical outlook proved shaky, and Samuel Jr. later had surgery. A verdict for his long-term prognosis is reportedly on the way in July — which isn’t far away. Twelve days, in fact.
This is Samuel Jr.’s Pro Football Focus history, with the caveat that he only played four games last season.
- 2021: 56.4
- 2022: 72.6
- 2023: 73.9
- 2024: 59.3
The marks from 2022 and 2023 would fit nicely in a cornerback room that includes Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, Mekhi Blackmon, Jeff Okudah, and Dwight McGlothern.
The Latest on Asante Samuel Jr.
New Orleans Saints-themed media seems to think Samuel Jr. will end up on Kellen Moore’s squad.
SaintsWire.com‘s Molly Bauer wrote last week, “Samuel Jr. visited with the Saints back in May. Samuel is still waiting on medical clearance, and that is the biggest barrier to him signing anywhere.”
“The expectation is he will have more clarity on his future in July, and the Saints can make a decision then. Samuel’s instincts, coverage, and playmaking ability would quickly make him one of the top two cornerbacks on the roster if New Orleans picked him up. Last season, he was only able to play in four games — the fewest in his career — for the Los Angeles Chargers before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury against the Broncos.”
If Samuel Jr. fetches full medical clearance, he should have a healthy suitor market.
Bauer added, “He would be released by the Chargers following the season. He also underwent neck surgery back in April. Additionally, Samuel Jr. would be reuniting with Saints defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, who was his head coach back in Los Angeles from 2021-2023.”
“Samuel Jr. has played 50 games across his career, all with the Chargers. In that time, he’s gathered 176 total tackles, 37 passes defended, and six interceptions.”
Option No. 2: Jalen Ramsey via Trade
And then there’s the ultra-splashy option.
Right before April’s draft, Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier basically told the planet that Ramsey would be traded, and that it was a matter of when and not if.
No trade has materialized to date, but Ramsey is a seven-time Pro Bowler and worked with Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell in Los Angeles — to the tune of a Super Bowl ring. Ramsey, while he will turn 31 in October, is not merely a shell of his future Hall of Fame self. He logged an 83.2 passer rating against last season, and a 51.1 in 2023.
The guy still has the sauce, and could be attainable for a 3rd- or 4th-Round pick (or something in that ballpark).
The downside? Ramsey’s contract is massive, and it’s a little dismaying that the Vikings would have to trade draft capital on him when, in theory, they could’ve signed Jaire Alexander outright.
The Latest on Jalen Ramsey
The Rams are said to be the frontrunners in the Ramsey sweepstakes, but Los Angeles skipper Sean McVay commented on trade obstacles this week.
He said via NFL.com, “Usually, those are scenarios and situations that you have to have plans in place prior to executing some of the decisions that have occurred.”
“Definitely don’t want to rule anything out because we’re always open-minded to onboarding and acquiring quality players and people like him, if we’re able to do that, but there would be some obstacles that are real that are in the place of maybe preventing that from occurring.”
VikingsTerritory’s Recommendation
Alexander blended the best option for the Vikings, a man with a Pro Bowl upside and history, who could’ve been signed without trading draft picks.
Based on Samuel Jr’s splotchy medical outlook, a Ramsey trade is wisest route, and such a trade would make Minnesota’s depth chart damn near indestructible and absent of weaknesses.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, though, would be forced to use some salary cap gymnastics to make the maneuver feasible.
A free agent like Mike Hilton or Jack Jones is also intriguing. But Ramsey is the almighty prize.
