Vikings Gravest Roster Need Is Weird
In the last nine NFL drafts, the Minnesota Vikings have selected these cornerbacks with 2nd-Round-or-higher draft capital:
- 2013 = Xavier Rhodes
- 2015 = Trae Waynes
- 2016 = Mackensie Alexander
- 2018 = Mike Hughes
- 2020 = Jeff Gladney
The franchise should be totally equipped with corners, right? Absolutely not.
None of those men from the list are associated with the team in 2022. Of course, in theory, some could re-sign with the Vikings, but that is a longshot as of late March.
The Vikings spent very high draft capital on cornerbacks in the last nine drafts — with nothing to show for it in the 2022 offseason. Based on that investment — from a head coach who loved cornerbacks — Minnesota should be one of the deepest CB teams in the country.
They are not.
Instead, the Vikings own one of the skimpiest CB rooms, with week three of free agency setting in. As of March 27th, these are the team’s corners:
- CB1: Cameron Dantzler
- CB2: Chandon Sullivan
- CB3: Kris Boyd
- CB4: Harrison Hand
- CB5: Parry Nickerson
Indeed, more cornerbacks will wiggle onto the roster. But for now, the Vikings gravest roster need is rather weird. Per recent draft history, a position that should be the most solid — is the flimsiest.
How did we get here? Well, the path to CB crumbs was diverse and unfortunate. Xavier Rhodes was masterful for a few years. Then, suddenly one season, he was not. Because his 2019 campaign was ho-hum — even though he mind-bogglingly reached the Pro Bowl — he was not worth reinvestment.
Trae Waynes left around the same time as Rhodes, venturing to the Cincinnati Bengals, where he encountered injuries and paltry playing time. Mackensie Alexander left in the spring of 2020 but returned after a one-year departure. Upon his reunion, Alexander played well for a few games, yet it didn’t last long. Per Pro Football Focus, Alexander had a heinous 2021 season (40.2 grade) and consequently won’t return in 2022.
Mike Hughes missed 50% of all football games due to injury during his Vikings career, causing a trade by Rick Spielman to the Kansas City Chiefs. He was decent on the field, which was only a coinflip for likelihood. Now, he plays for the Detroit Lions.
And then Jeff Gladney was accused and acquitted of assault, and the Vikings wanted nothing to do with those headlines, opting not to wait on due process.
Overall, the franchise must sign a couple more free-agent corners (Stephen Gilmore, Joe Haden, Steven Nelson, Richard Sherman), trade for a CB1-type, or draft Ahmad Gardner or Derek Stingley Jr. That’s the deal. Minnesota needs defensive backs to pair with a ferocious Danielle Hunter-Za’Darius Smith pass-rushing tandem.
Whoodathunkit on the cornerback God, Mike Zimmer, exiting a franchise so CB-needy. Odd times, indeed.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
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