Vikings newest defender graded among the best players late in games
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<p>The <a href="https://sportsdata.usatoday.com/football/nfl/teams/minnesota-vikings/347" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Minnesota Vikings</a> signed veteran cornerback <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/32939/">James Pierre</a> early in free agency to bolster their thin cornerback room. Pierre spent his first six seasons with the <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/pittsburgh/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a>, overlapping with Brian Flores&#8217; time there as linebackers coach and defensive special assistant.</p>
<p>But Pierre could fit the Vikings because of his late-game play. Listen to Kevin O&#8217;Connell long enough, and you&#8217;re sure to hear his oft-used phrase, &#8220;Be at your best when your best is required.&#8221;</p>
<p>In 2025, Pierre was phenomenal late in games. Per PFF, his 91.4 grade in the fourth quarter was amongst the best in the league. This <a href="https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-best-closers-10-highest-graded-players-in-the-fourth-quarter-and-overtime" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">ranked second</a> on Daire Carragher&#8217;s list, where he excluded players who were ranked top-20 overall in overall offensive or defensive grades, &#8220;as their late-game production simply mirrored the dominance they displayed throughout entire games&#8221;.</p>
<p>When discussing Pierre, Carragher wrote:</p>
<blockquote><p>Across 79 fourth-quarter coverage snaps, Pierre allowed just two receptions for 19 yards. He also recorded six of his nine pass breakups during fourth quarters. His fourth-quarter PFF coverage grade of 91.3 ranked first in the NFL and likely would have been even higher had he managed to keep both feet in bounds on a near interception against his current team, the Minnesota Vikings, in Week 4.</p>
<p>Among the receivers targeted while covered by Pierre in the fourth quarter were Ja&#8217;Marr Chase, <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/32703/">Tee Higgins</a>, <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/32704/">Michael Pittman Jr.</a> and <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/32685/">Jerry Jeudy</a>. None managed to record a catch against him.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Across 79 fourth-quarter coverage snaps, Pierre allowed just two receptions for 19 yards. He also recorded six of his nine pass breakups during fourth quarters. His fourth-quarter PFF coverage grade of 91.3 ranked first in the NFL and likely would have been even higher had he managed to keep both feet in bounds on a near interception against his current team, the Minnesota Vikings, in Week 4.</p>
<p>Among the receivers targeted while covered by Pierre in the fourth quarter were Ja&#8217;Marr Chase, <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/32703/">Tee Higgins</a>, <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/32704/">Michael Pittman Jr.</a> and <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/32685/">Jerry Jeudy</a>. None managed to record a catch against him.</p>
<p>Pierre provides the Vikings with size (6&#8217;2&#8243;, 185 pounds) that they lack throughout the cornerback room. Minnesota is hoping he can replicate his 2025 success after signing him to a two-year, $8.5 million <a href="https://overthecap.com/player/james-pierre/9095" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">contract</a> back in March.</p>

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