Defensive Secondary All the Rage in Vikings Mock Drafts
We are fully into mock draft season, and all the media outlets are starting to produce them regularly. With the big free agency moves now done, the secondary has become the focus in the latest Vikings mock drafts. Three cornerbacks/safeties have become the hot names when predicting the Vikings’ first draft selection of 2025.
Defensive Secondary All the Rage in Vikings Mock Drafts
I’ve been clear in my stance that I’d like Minnesota to keep adding to the trenches, with the focus remaining on the interior of both the offensive and defensive line. However, the secondary is another area the Vikings have work to do. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah worked a deal to bring back Byron Murphy on the back of his Pro Bowl season.
He also signed Isaiah Rodgers on the back of an impressive season as the third CB for the Super Bowl-winning Philadelphia Eagles and former third overall pick Jeff Okudah, whose career has been marred by injury. With young CBs Mekhi Blackmon and Dwight McGlothern also on the roster, there is plenty of potential, but still question marks surrounding the Vikings’ CB room.
At safety, Harrison Smith returned for his 14th season in Minnesota after seemingly contemplating retirement. While Cam Bynum left for a big-money move to Indianapolis, the Vikings decided to re-sign Theo Jackson at a much-reduced cost. Josh Metellus has excelled in his hybrid role in Brian Flores’ defense, which may lead to the Vikings keeping him there. That leaves Minnesota with 36-year-old Smith and Jackson, who has never started a game at safety.
Here are the defensive backs projected to the Vikings in the first round.
Nick Emmanwori (S)
Daniel Jeremiah sees Minnesota taking Nick Emmanwori as the long-term Smith replacement: “With Harrison Smith entering Year 14, the Vikings go get a young safety with the ability to impact the game in a variety of ways.” Bucky Brooks is singing from the same hymn sheet as the guys over at NFL.com are in agreement about the Vikings pick. “Smith’s decision to return…allows Emmanwori to serve as an apprentice before taking over as a full-time starter in 2026.”
Josh Liskiewitz at Pro Football Focus also agrees, writing, “Emmanwori racked up six interceptions in three seasons at South Carolina but also dropped another four potential picks.”
He compared his ceiling to that of Kerby Joseph but his floor to that of Isaiah Simmons. Elite athleticism and playmaking ability are why he’s touted as a first-round pick, but questionable technique and instincts are a concern. A year under the learning tree with the Hitman would be a good scenario for Emmanwori to find himself.
Jahdae Barron (CB)
Another favorite to be drafted by the Vikings right now is CB Jahdae Barron. Mel Kiper views an addition to the Vikings’ CB room as necessary and puts Barron forward as the answer. “Barron, meanwhile, picked off five passes last season, showing his ball skills. He ran a 4.39 at the combine, showing his speed.”
With versatility a critical factor in the Brian Flores defense, Kiper highlights how Barron has that in abundance: “And he played more than 600 snaps at both slot corner and outside corner over the past two seasons, showing his versatility. I really like this fit.”
Also over at ESPN, Mike Tannenbaum picks Barron for the Vikings at 24, with much the same thought process. “Getting Barron at this point in the first round would be outstanding value for Minnesota. He could excel in Brian Flores’ defense after posting 20 pass breakups and eight interceptions over the past three seasons. Barron’s versatility would be key for the Vikings.”
Meanwhile, the guys at Yahoo Sports have Barron pegged as a slot corner but still see him as the guy for Minnesota at 24. “The Vikings have done a good job adding talent up front to their defense, but they could still use an upgrade at slot corner. Barron is built to be an NFL slot defender and would form a nice tandem with the recently re-signed Byron Murphy Jr.”
The Draft Network goes the other way and extends his versatility by throwing in safety as a possible role. “A playmaker on the back end, Jahdae Barron is as versatile as any defender in the class. Whether he replaces Stephon Gilmore (UFA) on the outside, bumps Byron Murphy out of the slot, or takes some snaps next to Harrison Smith at safety, Barron is a modern-day hybrid defender who fits seamlessly into Brian Flores’ high-speed, physical, attacking style of defensive architecture.”
Malaki Starks (S)
The third and final player is Georgia safety Malaki Starks. Mike Renner of CBS Sports sends Starks to the Vikings while noting that the disastrous first-ever first-round pick for Adofo-Mensah, Lewis Cine, is lurking in the background – that should not factor into decision-making.
“I just can’t fathom the Vikings passing on Malaki Starks given how his versatility would play in Brian Flores’ defense. The only thing stopping it is general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s track record with Georgia safeties.”
Pro Football Network also sends Starks to Minnesota, highlighting the need for a good secondary in a tough division. “With flexibility at No. 24, Minnesota takes the best player available. And with Love, Williams, and Jared Goff in the NFC North, a strong secondary is crucial.” Of Starks, they go on to say, “Starks features elite quickness and ball-hawking skills. His frame and physicality allow him to impact all phases of the game, and his football IQ consistently shows in play diagnosis.”
Other mock drafts have the Vikings taking different positions, but the versatile defensive back seems to be the flavor of the moment.
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