The Minnesota Vikings experienced a rough season from veteran cornerback Jeff Okudah in 2025, so much so that the club put its foot down in free agency and signed James Pierre, a 29-year-0ld from the Pittsburgh Steelers.
And don't look now, but Pierre is somehow the top "breakout" candidate for the Vikings, according to ESPN.
Ben Solak: Vikings Breakout Player Is Pierre
Pierre isn't young, but Solak didn't care, picking the veteran corner as his breakout prediction: "The Vikings like to rotate cornerbacks on cheap contracts, as coordinator Brian Flores' zone-heavy and blitz-happy approach requires fewer snaps of prolonged man coverage than most other defenses."
"This offseason, they snagged Pierre in free agency after he made some strong spot starts with the Steelers. Pierre had only 219 coverage snaps last season, but his passer rating allowed of 49.8 was second only to Jamel Dean among cornerbacks last season. (Dean, ironically, is who the Steelers signed in free agency)."
And don't look now, but Pierre is somehow the top "breakout" candidate for the Vikings, according to ESPN.
Ben Solak: Vikings Breakout Player Is Pierre
Pierre isn't young, but Solak didn't care, picking the veteran corner as his breakout prediction: "The Vikings like to rotate cornerbacks on cheap contracts, as coordinator Brian Flores' zone-heavy and blitz-happy approach requires fewer snaps of prolonged man coverage than most other defenses."
"This offseason, they snagged Pierre in free agency after he made some strong spot starts with the Steelers. Pierre had only 219 coverage snaps last season, but his passer rating allowed of 49.8 was second only to Jamel Dean among cornerbacks last season. (Dean, ironically, is who the Steelers signed in free agency)."
4 months ago
