An Undercover Confirmation from Vikings Depth Chart Release
Back in the spring, Minnesota Vikings fans wondered which cornerbacks might start for the 2024 club, a debate involving players like Byron Murphy, Shaquill Griffin, Mekhi Blackmon, Akayleb Evans, and Andrew Booth.
An Undercover Confirmation from Vikings Depth Chart Release
Murphy always held a CB1 title on the current roster, so the mystery really involved “the second guy” at cornerback. And thanks to the Vikings’ first depth chart release on Tuesday, that question was answered.
It’s Shaquill Griffin.
The newcomer Viking will presumably start on the outside of Brian Flores’ 2024 defense after this batch of CBs graced the depth chart:
CB1: Byron Murphy
CB2: Shaquill Griffin
CB3: Akayleb Evans
CB4: Fabian Moreau
CB5: Andrew Booth
CB6: A.J. Green III
CB7: Jacobi Francis
CB8: Duke Shelley
CB9: Jaylin Williams
CB10: Dwight McGlothern
CB11: NaJee Thompson (PUP)
Vikings’ depth charts often involve some detective work — they don’t use an easy-to-read, numerical system — but no mystery surrounded Griffin. He’s spelled out as a starter, along with Murphy, plain as day.
The remaining brainteaser is — who else makes the 53-man depth chart? The cut-off is likely five cornerbacks, and Evans, Moreau, Booth, and Shelley, for example, will vie for September roster spots.
But not Griffin. He’s a safe starter. Many fans wanted the Vikings to sign Griffin last offseason when it appeared the defense needed cornerback depth, but general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah did not oblige. Fast forward a year, and the deal came together.
Here’s Griffin’s NFL resume to date:
- Seattle Seahawks (2017–2020)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (2021–2022)
- Houston Texans (2023)
- Carolina Panthers (2023)
- Minnesota Vikings (2024-present)
The 29-year-old joined the NFL as a member of the Seattle Seahawks in 2017 from the 3rd Round of the NFL Draft. Since then, he’s tabulated a Pro Bowl appearance, 366 total tackles, 64 passes defended, 7 interceptions, 3 QB hits, and 1 sack — in 89 career games, 79 of which he started.
Here’s the tale of the tape from Pro Football Focus for Griffin:
- 2017 = 65.3
- 2018 = 54.7
- 2019 = 77.0
- 2020 = 64.1
- 2021 = 72.0
- 2022 = 61.8
- 2023 = 67.0
Griffin ranks eighth leaguewide in tackles among cornerbacks in seven seasons as a pro. His brother Shaquem also played professional football before retiring in 2022.
It’s worth noting that Minnesota’s cornerback room underwent tragedy and peril in the last four weeks after rookie Khyree Jackson passed away in a Maryland car accident, and second-year corner Mekhi Blackmon tore his ACL, ending his 2024 campaign.
Quietly, Griffin has earned a starter’s job unless the depth chart is wrong.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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