The Athletic: Vikings make big bet

[greediron]

There is talk of the big nickel, Mettellus plays the slot quite a bit. And who are the teams that are the biggest threats? Detroit and Philly, and they use the run game more than the pass. So perhaps Flo has a plan. Dunno if it will work, but they get paid to coach while we bitch and moan for free.

[Kentis]

They did sign Fabian Moreau to the practice squad again. Sounds like for a similar role as last season. Not exactly awe inspiring…

[PurplePastor]

They did sign Fabian Moreau to the practice squad again. Sounds like for a similar role as last season. Not exactly awe inspiring…

But it is depth. He was serviceable last year and as a 5th CB, they could probably do worse.

[medaille]

I kind of imagine that we're probably pretty comfortable with things as long as Griffen and Gilmore are available in FA. We probably run more S in nickle than a true nickle CB, so I don't think we're desperate week 1, but I can't imagine we're going to make it all season with only 4 CBs. It feels like we could bring in a vet post week 1, or as soon as someone gets injured.

[StickierBuns]

Well, its pretty obvious now today that this is how they're going to ride into the season with 4 CBs. Part of the plan, it has to be otherwise they'd have signed additional players at the spot. I'm curious about it but not worried. There'll be plenty of time to bitch if it doesn't pan out.

[purplefaithful]

Well, its pretty obvious now today that this is how they're going to ride into the season with 4 CBs. Part of the plan, it has to be otherwise they'd have signed additional players at the spot. I'm curious about it but not worried. There'll be plenty of time to bitch if it doesn't pan out.

It's egregious and borderline unbelievable imo...NFW they go through the season with 4 corners - ZERO. 

Done and off the pulpit.

[MaroonBells]

It's egregious and borderline unbelievable imo...NFW they go through the season with 4 corners - ZERO. 

Done and off the pulpit.

I thought that too when the 53 was released. In fact, we've got several players on the active roster right now that just seem like they're waiting to be replaced: Austin Keys, Travierre Thomas, Chambliss. So they could be working on something. 

On the other hand, the Vikings nickel package doesn't typically involve a corner; it involves a safety. So the numbers might make sense from that perspective. We'll see.

[StickierBuns]

It's egregious and borderline unbelievable imo...NFW they go through the season with 4 corners - ZERO. 

Done and off the pulpit.

Well, we don't know yet if that's the case. Unorthodox on its face? Yes, at least to the lay-fan. But obviously part of the plan at this point, who's coming in now a week before the season starts to upgrade the corner room in Minnesota? Nobody because they are done, this is the roster and the PS. How could this not be the plan? How could the plan be 'we'll make some kind of deal for a CB in the 11th hour that will save our defense'? Does that make sense? It doesn't. Did the coaches turn into idiots overnight? They haven't. There has to be confidence there internally.

Just because we can't see it doesn't mean there's a problem. And if there turns out to be, we'll be ready to call it out. Not saying they can't make mistakes, what I'm saying is how could they make such an egregious one potentially? Because it isn't egregious somehow. JMO, but I hear you. It just seems to obviously egregious for a smart staff.

[purplefaithful]

Well, we don't know yet if that's the case. Unorthodox on its face? Yes, at least to the lay-fan. But obviously part of the plan at this point, who's coming in now a week before the season starts to upgrade the corner room in Minnesota? Nobody because they are done, this is the roster and the PS. How could this not be the plan? How could the plan be 'we'll make some kind of deal for a CB in the 11th hour that will save our defense'? Does that make sense? It doesn't. Did the coaches turn into idiots overnight? They haven't. There has to be confidence there internally.

Just because we can't see it doesn't mean there's a problem. And if there turns out to be, we'll be ready to call it out. Not saying they can't make mistakes, what I'm saying is how could they make such an egregious one potentially? Because it isn't egregious somehow. JMO, but I hear you. It just seems to obviously egregious for a smart staff.

[Kentis]

Current DB’s on Practice Squad

Kahlef Hailassie, Safety
Hailassie experienced one of the most interesting preseasons. He joined Minnesota this offseason as a cornerback, but the team began looking at him at safety just before its exhibition slate. Hailassie recorded two interceptions against the Texans in Preseason 1.
He has appeared in 10 NFL regular-season with Cleveland (2023-24) and spent time with Kansas City.

Fabian Moreau, Cornerback
Moreau returns to the Vikings after a stint with the 49ers. He appeared in seven games for Minnesota in 2024, totaling 102 defensive snaps and 56 on special teams while providing experience and depth.
This is Moreau's ninth NFL season. He was initially drafted by Washington out of UCLA in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He joined Atlanta in 2021, the New York Giants in 2022 and Denver in 2023. From 2021-23, Moreau started 38 of 46 games played for those franchises.
Moreau has totaled 305 tackles, five tackles for loss, seven interceptions, 43 passes defensed, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

Zemaiah Vaughn, Cornerback
Vaughn is another player in a bumper crop of undrafted free agents who joined Minnesota this spring.
He played college football at Utah, settling in at cornerback and totaling 144 tackles, 3.0 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, three interceptions and 24 passes defensed.

K'Von Wallace, Safety
Wallace was initially drafted by the Eagles in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Clemson. He also has spent time with the Cardinals and Titans in 2023, Seahawks in 2024 and Giants in 2025. Wallace has appeared in 71 games with 19 starts, and has recorded 168 tackles, an interception and eight passes defensed.

https://www.vikings.com/news/2025-practi...ter-signed