Minnesota Vikings: 5 Free agents to sign before training camp

2. Dre Kirkpatrick

Much like in the previous slide with former Tennessee cornerback Logan Ryan, there is another interesting free agent available on the open market that Minnesota could end up taking a look at adding if it wants to bring in more talent at cornerback this season.

That player is former Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, who finished up his eighth season in the NFL and with the Bengals in 2019.

Kirkpatrick, who will turn 31 years old in October, has some familiarity within the Vikings organization which could make this pairing an attractive one for both sides. The cornerback, who broke into the league in 2012, played under now Minnesota head coach Mike Zimmer in both the 2012 and 2013 campaigns when Zimmer was the defensive coordinator in Cincinnati.

Zimmer’s familiarity with Kirkpatrick could be enough to persuade the veteran defensive back to join the Vikings if they are indeed looking to bring in more talent and personnel within the position on defense.

In 2019, Kirkpatrick finished the season making just six appearances for the Bengals, finishing the year with a combined total of 33 tackles along with 27 solo tackles and one fumble recovery.

Prior to last season, Kirkpatrick has been a player that has been able to stay healthy for the most part, playing in at least 13 contests in six of his eight years in the league.

In the past, Zimmer has been able to attract some of his former players to join him in Minnesota, and this could be yet another example of doing just that prior to the start of the 2020 season.