Can an Undrafted Rookie Fill the Vikings’ Void?
When the Minnesota Vikings went into the 2024 NFL Draft, they did so with some serious question marks at the cornerback position. The only pick they used on the position came in the fourth round, but Khyree Jackson brought all the intrigue. Needing to replace that hole in the locker room, and mentally, could an undrafted player be the key?
Can an Undrafted Rookie Fill the Vikings’ Void?
The Minnesota Vikings have found success in identifying undrafted free agents in previous seasons. Adam Thielen was obviously a fan-favorite in that vein and will ultimately be inducted into the Ring of Honor. Ivan Pace Jr. is the latest success story, and he has elevated so much that he’ll wear the green dot on defense this season.
Looking to find the next player in that vein, Dwight McGlothern could be the name to know. Khyree Jackson wasn’t going to start out of the gate for the Minnesota Vikings, but with uncertainty behind Byron Murphy Jr. and Shaq Griffin, it’s conceivable he would have quickly worked his way in. Laid to rest on Friday, gone too soon, Kevin O’Connell’s team must pick up the pieces.
Part of the allure for Jackson, behind his game type, were the measurables. A big-bodied corner that could go up against sizable NFL wideouts, he was a force to be reckoned with. McGlothern stands 6’2″ and comes in at more than 180 lbs. He is no small fry himself, and the hope would be that he can match up against physical threats on the outside.
McGlothern won’t be given an immediate opportunity, and his path is even more clouded than a fourth-round pick’s would have been. However, the Vikings are a complete mystery behind their top two options. Akayleb Evans has gone missing for the majority of his career, and Andrew Booth Jr. has never lived up to the hype, even when healthy. Duke Shelley was recently re-signed, but he previously left the Vikings as a spot starter last offseason and became a footnote for the Los Angeles Rams.
McGlothern could do himself a lot of favors by putting together a good camp and preseason. Parlaying that into future opportunities early in the season, especially should higher spots on the depth chart struggle, wouldn’t be shocking at all. The former LSU and Arkansas talent has played against top collegiate competition. That doesn’t mean he’s guaranteed success at the next level, but you can bet he won’t shy away from it.
Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes weekly for Twins Daily. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.
You must be logged in to post a comment.