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Minnesota Vikings: 5 Bold Predictions for 2016 Free Agency

By Gil Alcaraz IV

Nov 1, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) reacts after missing a pass during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) reacts after missing a pass during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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George Iloka
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Vikings sign George Iloka

While Smith was outstanding this past season, the Vikings had a difficult time finding a capable strong safety to compliment him on the backend of the Minnesota defense. Andrew Sendejo, Robert Blanton and Antone Exum were all given opportunities, but it was Sendejo who ended the season as the disappointing starter.

Sendejo is a free agent this offseason, and there’s a significant possibility he isn’t re-signed based on his 2015 performance. According to Pro Football Focus, he was one of the worst safeties in the NFL last season, earning a ranking of 85 out of 88 qualified safeties. Ask any Vikings fan–watching him play in coverage was brutal. Sendejo was decent against the run, but routinely gave up costly plays when asked to cover deep down the field.

Signing Iloka would solve that problem. Iloka finished the year ranked 15th out of 88 according to Pro Football Focus, excelling equally as a pass and run defender. If the Cincinnati Bengals can’t manage to re-sign him, the Vikings would be wise to use their decent amount of cap space to bring him aboard and create one of the most dynamic safety duos the league has to offer.

Next: So long to the Vikings' top WR

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