NFL 2018: Ranking the 5 best offseason moves at defensive back

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 24: Free safety Tyrann Mathieu #32 of the Arizona Cardinals walks off the field following the NFL game against the New York Giants at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Arizona Cardinals won 23-0. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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CINCINNATI, OH – OCTOBER 8: George Iloka #43 of the Cincinnati Bengals tackles Nick O’Leary #84 of the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter at Paul Brown Stadium on October 8, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

5. S George Iloka (Minnesota Vikings)

As if the top-ranked defense in the league a year ago needed more help. Inexplicably, the Cincinnati Bengals opted to part ways with quality safety George Iloka earlier this summer. The decision was a financial one but it still left a premier defender on the open market…briefly.

Understandably, Minnesota Vikings’ general manager Rick Spielman was more than happy to bring the savvy defender on board. A fifth-round pick by the Bengals from Boise State in 2012, his first two NFL seasons saw him play under then-Cincinnati defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer — now the sideline leader of the Minnesota Vikings. And he’s more than familiar with the underrated defender’s work. Iloka adds quality experience to a Minnesota secondary that is already loaded in the secondary.

In six NFL seasons, the 28-year old defender has started at both strong and free safety. And he’s been a 16-game starter in four of the past five years for the Bengals. Iloka has nine career interceptions and comes off a 2017 campaign in which he totaled 79 tackles, one interception and five passes defensed. He joins a secondary that includes safeties Harrison Smith and Andrew Sendejo and cornerbacks Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes.

For those who likes to point out when the rich get richer, look no further than the Twin Cities and this Minnesota defensive unit. It ended 2017 on a low note at Philadelphia, but the addition of Iloka figures to take that sour taste of Zimmer’s mouth.

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