Vikings Fans Make Prediction about ‘Other’ Starting CB
Cornerbacks Patrick Peterson, Duke Shelley, Cameron Dantzler, Chandon Sullivan, and Kris Boyd left the Minnesota Vikings this offseason.
Veterans Byron Murphy, Joejuan Williams, and John Reid came aboard as CB replacements, along with 3rd-Round rookie from USC, Mekhi Blackmon.
Vikings Fans Make Prediction about ‘Other’ Starting CB
Almost by default due to experience, Murphy is penciled in by most as the CB1. But all offseason, Vikings faithful have wondered which man will emerge as the CB2.
Well, the group has spoken. We polled Vikings fans on Twitter last weekend, and according to the masses, second-year corner Akayleb Evans will win the ‘other’ starting cornerback assignment.
Fifty-six percent predicted Evans to keep draft mate Andrew Booth at bay and win the CB2 job. Booth gained 26% of the vote, with the rookie Blackmon at 17% and Williams at 1%.
Here’s the full poll result:
The poll was unscientific, and 983 people opined.
Evans played in 10 Vikings games last year, starting two, and tabulated a 110.7 passer rating against. In his two starts, Evans ‘looked the part’ and actually performed like most believed Booth would in 2022. Booth was a 2nd-Round pick, forecasted by some draft heads to go off the board in Round 1. The Vikings scooped Evans out of Round 4.
Evans’ rookie season was undone by concussions, though, as he battled three different stints in the NFL’s concussion protocol, an incredibly spooky circumstance for any player but especially a rookie.
Evans told the Pioneer Press’ Chris Tomasson in January about avoiding concussions in the future, “I’m going to work on building up trapezoid and neck muscles, and I’ve got a new helmet for next season. It has extra padding, so that should help a lot.”
“But even just working on tackling form, keeping my head out of it, that’s going to be huge for me,” Evans added.
Evans orchestrated a coming-out party in Week 9 at the Washington Commanders, thrust into action in the nation’s capital and making the most of the moment with impactful pass break-ups. All told as a rookie, the Missouri alumnus tallied 23 total tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 2 passes defended, and a forced fumble. Via areas of improvement, Evans fired up a 47.2 Pro Football Focus grade and the aforementioned 110.7 passer-rating-against.
The Vikings CB2 picture will come into focus in about three weeks when training camp begins. But per fans, it’s Evans’ job to lose.
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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 Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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