Report: Vikings showing interest in cornerback Stanford Routt

Alert: The Vikings need help in their secondary. And a lot of it.

This is not breaking news. But the team may have a chance to address that need sooner than expected with the Raiders releasing cornerback Stanford Routt on Thursday.

According to a report on ESPNDallas.com, Routt's agent Vann McElroy has identified five teams with early interest in the 28-year-old corner. The Vikings are one of them.

McElroy said Routt is scheduled to take visits to Tennessee and Buffalo with the Chiefs and Cowboys also expressing interest.

Routt played his first seven seasons in Oakland and started 15 games this past season, recording 49 tackles, four interceptions and 15 passes defensed. Routt also allowed nine touchdown passes in 2011.

Because he was released by the Raiders, who reportedly made the move to avoid paying a 2012 salary bonus, Routt is immediately free to sign elsewhere.

The major free agent market opens March 13. And if you're curious as to the comprehensive list of cornerbacks whose contracts expire next month, we've got you covered. Here's the list, in order of NFL experience, including all unrestricted, restricted and exclusive rights free agents: