BB.THE VIKINGS “OLD GENERAL” IS NOT OUT OF TIME: Byron Murphy Jr. “ROARS” With 2 INT + TD, Officially TAKES THE CB3 SEAT – The Purple and Gold Defense Is Ready to “SWALLOW” The Opponent!
Heading into training camp, the Minnesota Vikings seemed poised to unleash a fresh wave of youth at the cornerback position, blending raw talent with players hitting their prime. But fast-forward to now, and it’s clear the old guard still has plenty left in the tank—especially one veteran who’s turning heads and staking his claim.
Last season, seasoned pros like Stephon Gilmore anchored the secondary alongside Byron Murphy Jr. This year, Murphy, at 27, remains the undisputed CB1, while Isaiah Rodgers, also 27, has seamlessly slotted in as CB2. Lurking behind them? The CB3 spot is up for grabs, with the injured Jeff Okudah (26) nursing his way back and sophomore Dwight McGlothern (23) still earning the coaches’ trust. Enter Week 9, where 30-year-old Fabian Moreau stepped up and delivered a performance that screamed, “I’m not done yet.”
Drafted in the third round back in 2017—feels like ancient history in NFL terms—Moreau was the 81st overall pick and cut his teeth with Washington, rubbing shoulders with familiar Vikings faces like Kirk Cousins, Kevin O’Connell, and even sharing a draft class with defensive tackle Jonathan Allen. From there, his career turned into a whirlwind tour: Falcons, Texans, Giants, Broncos, Vikings, 49ers, and now back in purple for a second stint.
This isn’t some fringe player scraping by. Moreau’s resume boasts 115 games played, 56 starts, 308 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 7 interceptions, 43 passes defended, and 3 forced fumbles. He’s the definition of battle-tested, and his latest act? A standout showing in the Vikings’ gritty 27-24 upset over the Lions at Ford Field in Week 9.
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Elevated from the practice squad for this near-must-win clash, Moreau didn’t just fill in—he shined. In a game where Amon-Ra St. Brown torched Murphy and Isaiah Rodgers got burned by Jameson Williams on a controversial long TD, Moreau was the steady hand. Logging 24 snaps (38% of the defensive total), he earned a stellar 73.4 PFF grade. Split between 17 outside reps and 6 in the slot, he blanketed his lone target (no completion) and chipped in two tackles.
At 6’0″ and 200 pounds, Moreau brings that rugged, experienced build that’s perfect for battling in the trenches. In a razor-thin victory against a fierce rival, his reliability could have been the tipping point. One shaky performance from the third corner, and the Vikings might have walked away empty-handed.
Jeff Okudah’s return from injury is priority one, but once he’s healthy, the Vikings face a tough call. Okudah, at 6’1″ and 205 pounds, has the tools to bully big-bodied receivers like Drake London, Christian Watson, or Mike Evans. On paper, he’s a matchup nightmare for opponents. But the reality? Inconsistent play marred by injuries has kept him from living up to the hype. Props to Okudah for his grit in bouncing back, but he might thrive more as depth than a starter.
Moreau isn’t some shutdown legend like Darrelle Revis reborn—no one’s claiming that. But as a dependable CB3? He’s got the chops to lock it down. His veteran savvy and proven production make him a low-risk, high-reward option for a defense that’s already humming under Brian Flores.
As the weeks unfold, Moreau’s steady hand might force the Vikings’ brass to act. Elevating him from the practice squad to the 53-man roster feels like a no-brainer if he keeps delivering. In a league where experience often trumps potential in crunch time, this old guard Viking is making a thunderous case: the CB3 role is his for the taking. Watch this space—Minnesota’s secondary just got a whole lot more intriguing.
