New CB Gains Mock Draft Steam for Vikings
The 2025 NFL Draft could bend in a few directions for the Minnesota Vikings, perhaps involving a defensive tackle, interior offensive lineman, safety, or cornerback.
New CB Gains Mock Draft Steam for Vikings
The organization commendably filled most main roster needs in free agency, positioning itself to draft the best player available with the 24th overall pick in three weeks.
And according to NFL.com, that player might be Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston, who has gained some recently mock draft steam for the Vikings.
NFL.com Says Maxwell Hairston for Vikings
Foremost, NFL.com’s Eric Edholm foresaw a draft trade between the Philadelphia Eagles and Vikings, though details weren’t disclosed.
Minnesota slipped to the 32nd spot, while the Eagles pounced on Georgia safety Malaki Starks, continuing the Eagles’ draft obsession with Georgia alumni.
At pick No. 32, Edholm wrote about Hairston to Minnesota, “Moving back eight spots and landing a potential starting corner would be good work by the Vikings. Trading down would help Minnesota replenish a limited supply of draft picks (four at the moment). The Vikings could go with a guard here, but corner is the higher-priority position.”
And just like that, Minnesota would have a youthful corner in the pipeline after repeated failed attempts of drafting them in the last decade.
ESPN Mock Last Week … Hairston to MIN
Edholm wasn’t alone. Last week, ESPN’s Matt Miller mocked Hairston to the Twin Cities, too.
“The Vikings were aggressive in free agency, so they don’t have many glaring needs. But there is concern at cornerback, where signees Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah project more as temporary fixes than long-term solutions,” Miller explained.
“Hairston can definitely be a long-term building block. Not only is he feisty in coverage but he has elite footwork and ran the fastest 40 out of all prospects at the combine (4.28 seconds). Despite being 5-11, Hairston’s long arms can lock down receivers when combined with his quickness.”
Hairston ranks No. 35 on the Consensus Big Board at the start of April.
Miller added, “There are size and durability concerns, as he missed five games in 2024 with a shoulder injury, but he has the best movement skills of any corner in this class. The Vikings have to get younger, faster and better at cornerback. Hairston can help them get there and boost their man coverage capabilities.”
Some perceive Hairston as a 2nd-Round talent, but trading back in the draft could serve as a reasonable compromise to outfit him in purple.
Maxwell Hairston Background
Hairston’s height is disputed. Some sites list him at 6’1.” Others flag him around 5’11.” He’s 185 pounds and will turn 22 in August. His specialty is zone coverage, and that may have to change in Minnesota with Brian Flores’ scheme.
The rookie defender is known for marvelous speed, elite ball tracking, incredible burst, and a baller’s personality.
NFL Draft Buzz‘s Wyatt Brooks describes Hairston’s skill set: “His competitiveness at the catch point and ability to match-and-mirror in space will translate immediately to sub-package duties. Hairston is a scheme-specific playmaker who needs to be deployed strategically early in his career.”
“Give him two years in an NFL strength program while letting him cut his teeth in nickel and dime packages, and you’re looking at a potential long-term starter who can change games with his ball skills. Just don’t ask him to play press-man against Mike Evans in week one, and you’ll be happy with what you get.”
Minnesota’s coaching staff might have to be patient with his development.
2025 CBs for MIN
Since losing to the Los Angeles Rams in the Wildcard Round three months ago, Minnesota has extended Pro Bowl corner Byron Murphy Jr.’s contract, signed Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah, and added a few depth defensive backs who will vie for roster spots at training camp and in the preseason.
This is Minnesota’s new look CB group, with the new men in bold:
CB1: Byron Murphy Jr.
CB2: Mekhi Blackmon
CB3: Isaiah Rodgers
CB4: Jeff Okudah
CB5: Dwight McGlothern
CB6: Tavierre Thomas
CB7: NaJee Thompson
CB8: Nahshon Wright
CB9: Ambry Thomas
CB10: Reddy Steward
CB11: Kahlef Hailassie
Hairston may not start immediately for the 2025 team, but he’d be in the mix in case Blackmon, Rodgers, or Okudah floundered or fell injured.
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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