Our Predictions for the Vikings’ 2 Starting CBs in 2025

Dustin Baker |

Feb 15, 2025

Sep 25, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; New Orleans Saints cornerback Paulson Adebo (29) at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images.

The NFL’s free agency period is about three weeks away, and the Minnesota Vikings must find two starting cornerbacks to accompany Mekhi Blackmon and Dwight McGlothern in 2025.

Vikings Predictions: The 2 Starting Cornerbacks in 2025

The CB fix could arrive from free agency, the 2025 NFL draft, or both.

So, we asked all VikingsTerritory writers to name the starting CB1-CB2 combo by the time the calendar hits September.

These are their answers.

1. Byron Murphy Jr. & Mekhi Blackmon

Vikings Predictions — Nov 12, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota cornerback Mekhi Blackmon (5) intercepts a pass from New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston (not pictured) in front of wide receiver Chris Olave (12) during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.

Prediction Maker: Cole Smith

The team still needs to address cornerback this offseason to help with depth, but Murphy earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2024 and is familiar with Flores’ system. Blackmon showed flashes as a rookie in 2023, and if he can come back strong from his ACL tear, I believe he has a leg up on the competition.

2. Byron Murphy Jr. & Shavon Revel Jr.

Sep 14, 2024; Greenville, North Carolina, USA; East Carolina Pirates defensive lineman D’Anta Johnson (56) and defensive back Shavon Revel Jr. (28) stops the run by Appalachian State Mountaineers running back Anderson Castle (1) during the first half at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

Prediction Maker: Josh Frey

Murphy should be the top priority for the Vikings in free agency, but they still need to bring in additional help. Shavon Revel Jr. suffered an ACL tear in September, but his potential and competitive spirit are sky-high and something the Vikings should want to bring into their organization.

3. Byron Murphy Jr. & Jonathan Jones

2 NFL Experts Suggest — Nov 6, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones (31) returns an interception to score a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

Prediction Maker: Adam New

It will take a hefty contract to bring back Byron Murphy Jr. after the best season of his career in 2024. With that in mind, the Vikings once again go for an experience that shouldn’t break the bank on the opposite side — Jonathan Jones.

4. D.J. Reed & Paulson Adebo

Nov 10, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; New York Jets cornerback D.J. Reed (4) raises his fist during the national anthem before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images.

Prediction Maker: Janik Eckardt

The Vikings have to upgrade their cornerback room to get the most out of Brian Flores’ scheme, especially the acquisition of cornerbacks with the ability to play man coverage could go a long way.

Reed has been excellent for years and, at the age of 28, can be Minnesota’s top cornerback for three-plus years.

Adebo was fantastic in the last couple of seasons but missed most of 2024 with a broken femur. That injury opens the door for Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to sign him as a bargain. That strategy worked quite well with Andrew Van Ginkel a year ago.

5. D.J. Reed & Azareye’h Thomas

Dec 29, 2022; Orlando, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive back Azareye’h Thomas (20) reacts to missing an interception against the Oklahoma Sooners during the second half in the 2022 Cheez-It Bowl at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports.

Prediction Maker: Henrique Gucciardi

After Murphy Jr. walks in free agency, the Vikings sign D.J. Reed as the new CB1. They then add more youth to the CB room, with rookie Azareye’h Thomas from Florida State starting alongside Reed.

t6. Byron Murphy Jr. & Paulson Adebo

November 27, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; New Orleans Saints cornerback Paulson Adebo (29) after the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports.

Prediction Maker: Dustin Baker

Paulson Adebo is the quintessential type of player that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah would pursue in free agency, with his price tag lowered because of a broken leg in 2024.

When his leg isn’t broken, the man is a phenomenal defender. He’ll be available for about half the price of D.J. Reed, for example, so the Vikings will pair Adebo with Byron Murphy Jr., who they’ll hopefully re-sign.

Murphy Jr. has not been shy about proclaiming his ardor for the Vikings as an organization. He wants to return.

t6. Byron Murphy Jr. & Paulson Adebo

Sep 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota cornerback Murphy Jr. (7) warms up before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Prediction Maker: Wes Johnson

Thinking that the Vikings get a slight discount with BMJ to return to Minnesota after a career year. Adebo matches the profile Kwesi Adofo-Mensah prefers to go puruse, a productive young (25 years old) player coming off a down/injury-riddled season

t7. D.J. Reed & Byron Murphy Jr.

Oct 6, 2024; London, United Kingdom; New York Jets cornerback D.J. Reed (4) defends against Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) in the first half at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Prediction Maker: Kyle Joudry

In Week 1 of the 2025 season, the Vikings will have Byron Murphy Jr. and D.J. Reed as the top pair of corners.

t7. D.J. Reed & Byron Murphy Jr.

Oct 31, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets cornerback D.J. Reed (4) reacts after sacking Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images.

Prediction Maker: Ted Schwerzler

Minnesota brings Murphy Jr. back and uses some of their cap space on D.J. Reed.

t7. D.J. Reed & Byron Murphy Jr.

Dec 1, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Shaquill Griffin (1) and cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (7) and cornerback Fabian Moreau (23) react after Griffin made an interception late during the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.

Prediction Maker: Ali Siddiqui

Both will be spendy, but the Vikings have the cap space and will create more to add both.

t7. D.J. Reed & Byron Murphy Jr.

Sep 26, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) catches a pass for a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks defensive back D.J. Reed (2) in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Prediction Maker: Brevan Bane

Minnesota spends some money this offseason on extending Murphy Jr. and signing Reed from the Jets in free agency.

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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.