Vikings Asking Everyone to Play Cornerback
The Minnesota Vikings’ secondary left something to be desired coming into this season. After struggling to slow down the opposition last year, they needed to step forward. The depth has immediately been tested, and now, basically, anyone with a pulse is stepping in.
Vikings Asking Everyone to Play Cornerback
When the dust settled on the 2024 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings had selected just a single cornerback. Khyree Jackson was selected and brought plenty of intrigue. He was seen as someone who could potentially take a starting role. Ultimately, that dream will never be realized due to his tragic death. Not long after, Mekhi Blackmon was also removed from the ranks after suffering a torn ACL.
A position already weak in depth now looks bare bones. It remains to be seen if Andrew Booth Jr. will finally show a shred of what made him a second-round pick. Akayleb Evans has already experienced multiple benchings within a season, and banking on him to be a constant factor would be wild. About the only two certainties are veterans Byron Murphy Jr. and Shaq Griffin.
With those realities, the Vikings have had both safeties Cam Bynum and Jay Ward operating at the cornerback position. That may simply be a way to keep them versatile and get extra reps, but the reality is that they are also practicing out of position. It stands to reason that Minnesota will bring in a more prominent name veteran, especially with additional cap space. Until they do, however, they continue to play short.
Sure, it’s just training camp right now, but there isn’t much benefit to rushing in a veteran defender. Of course, those players need to practice a bit less than younger talents, but acclimating to a new team sooner rather than later should happen. Brian Flores should be able to continue developing his safeties. Bynum is expected to be a constant factor at that position, and Ward has pushed his way up the depth chart.
The price tags for remaining free agents should be relatively known by this point in the offseason. There’s little reason to continue waiting for the proverbial floor to drop out. Get the guy you want now, and start practicing as a full team.
Agreeing to a deal with Fabian Moreau on Tuesday is a step in the right direction, but that can’t be the only domino to fall.
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.
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