“Best Value” Rookie Named for Vikings
It might sound like a Walmart or Sam’s Club term, but the Minnesota Vikings evidently have a “best value” rookie.
“Best Value” Rookie Named for Vikings
He’s Khyree Jackson, a man welcomed to Minnesota’s roster from the 4th Round of the draft. The young cornerback came from the University of Oregon, and he’ll vie for defensive snaps this summer.
Bleacher Report identified one top-value rookie from each NFL team last weekend, and for the Vikings, that’s Jackson, who will turn 25 this summer, meaning he should be more game-ready than most.
BR’s David Kenyon wrote about Jackson, “Quite a bit of symmetry here, incidentally. Minnesota also patched up its secondary with a player out of the Beaver State, bringing in cornerback Khyree Jackson (43rd on the B/R big board) at No. 108. Although the Vikings didn’t make any other changes at the position this offseason, they had an average group last season. Jackson should have a shot to play immediately.”
The factoid about no other cornerback additions was incorrect — Minnesota signed veteran CB Shaquill Griffin before the draft, and he’ll expect a roster spot later this summer.
Still, Jackson’s trajectory in purple is promising as a scrappy — borderline cocky — defender ready to contribute. ESPN’s Kevin Seifert tweeted after the draft, “Just had a lively video conference with new Vikings CB Khyree Jackson. He said he told the Vikings at the Senior Bowl that ‘I was the best cornerback in the draft, and I told them they were going to get me for cheaper because of some of the politics that go into it.'”
Jackson ranked around No. 100 on the list of best rookies available heading into the draft, so Minnesota didn’t move heaven and earth to grab the Duck. But he was notably the first selection after the Vikings landed quarterback J.J. McCarthy and EDGE rusher Dallas Turner, so folks are excited about his ceiling.
This summer, Jackson will intermix with this cornerback room:
CB1: Byron Murphy
CB2: Akayleb Evans
CB3: Mekhi Blackmon
CB4: Shaquill Griffin
CB5: Andrew Booth
CB6: Khyree Jackson
CB7: NaJee Thompson
CB8: Jaylin Williams
CB9: Joejuan Williams
CB10: A.J. Green III
CB11: Dwight McGlothern
The Draft Network‘s Brentley Weissman detailed Jackson’s pre-draft scouting report in January: “Jackson is a long and athletic coverman who has an NFL skill set. He is best used on the boundary where he can use his length to his advantage and hide his limited change of direction. Jackson has all the makings of a productive NFL starter.”
Jackson is the Vikings’ tallest corner at the moment.
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 MIN 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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