Free-agent rumor reveals Packers, Vikings and Panthers are competing for same player

The Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings and Carolina Panthers are all searching for cornerback help following the NFL trade deadline.

None of those three teams made a move before Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, so now they're looking to the free-agent market for help - and there's quite an attractive option that all three teams are gunning for.

According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Packers, Vikings and Panthers are all set to host free-agent cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. for a workout this week. The Panthers will get the first crack at the former second-round pick, though.

"Sources: The Packers and Vikings are also scheduled to have visits with CB Asante Samuel Jr. But Panthers are first today, I'm told," Schultz reported.

Samuel hasn't signed with any team this season because of injury. He underwent spinal neck fusion surgery in April and was just now cleared to return to play.

The Packers have a shaky situation at cornerback, where Nate Hobbs has been a major disappointment and is now injured. Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine have played well for the most part, but it's clear Green Bay could use more depth.

Minnesota is another team that could use an extra option in the cornerbacks room, as Byron Murphy has struggled in coverage this season and the Vikings could use more depth at the position, also.

The Panthers are getting great play out of Jaycee Horn this season, and Mike Jackson has actually been better than expected, but there's no telling if the latter is going to be able to keep that up.

Samuel has proven himself to be a starting-caliber cornerback over his four seasons in the NFL, with the Florida State product surrendering a completion rate of 59.5% and a passer rating of 92.3.

The 26-year-old has played the vast majority of his career snaps on the boundary, so he doesn't figure to be a solution in the slot for any of the three teams interested in him, although it's not crazy to think he could play there if needed.

We'll see where he ultimately lands, but we probably won't know for multiple days as he continues to make the rounds among interested suitors.

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