The Minnesota Vikings entered the 2025 NFL season considered a contender for the NFC North division and a spot in the playoffs. Now, sitting at 3-4 heading into week 9, the team sits in last place. With unproven QB JJ McCarthy back in the saddle, the team may need to fortify its defense.
Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report recently suggested a list of potential NFL trades, and he expressed that Minnesota needs to shore up its defensive secondary. And while he considered other candidates, he surmises that the Vikings could look to the Big Easy to acquire New Orleans Saints CB Alontae Taylor.
"The Vikings could use another cornerback, considering the lack of reliable depth beyond Isaiah Rodgers and Byron Murphy Jr," Gagnon wrote. "I'm going with Taylor over Riq Woolen because I think the Seahawks would be less likely to trade Woolen to a fellow NFC contender, while the Saints are done for this season. And Taylor is a better fit with his significant experience in the slot."
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Taylor, 26, was the second round (49th overall) for New Orleans in the 2022 NFL Draft. In his career, he has racked up 220 tackles, three interceptions, and six sacks. He is typically considered a nickelback and backup cornerback.
"If I'm going to play the nickel, then I'm going to be the best nickel I can be," Taylor has stated previously. "If I'm going to play the outside, I'm going to be the best outside corner I can be. I'm just a DB at this point".
So, while there's certainly reason to believe that Alontae Taylor could help the Vikings' D out as the season progresses, he's not a miracle worker. Minnesota is allowing 318.4 yards and 23.1 points per game. They are the 14th-ranked defensive team in the NFL heading into week 9 against the Detroit Lions.