It’s almost here, everyone. Tune in tomorrow!
Draft Day
In the morning, choose your meal for the Draft (I’m going with pizza as usual) and look forward to seeing which player the Vikings select. This has got to be the absolute best day of the entire year without question.
We have already discussed the trenches.
running backs
, leaving only the secondary for us to talk about. It probably is the weakest point on the roster now, with no clear young player primed for a brighter spotlight. The staff, at least right now, is relying on Mekhi Blackmon and Dwight McGlothern developing, and Isaiah Rodgers’s signing to help Byron Murphy Jr.
Understanding the Vikings’ Prospects: Cornerback
Even though this year’s group of cornerbacks isn’t exceptionally outstanding, it boasts great depth for the second day of the draft, featuring nearly ten players capable of starting from week one. Travis Hunter heads the list; however, players such as Will Johnson and Jahdae Baron might still be around when pick number 24 comes up. Additionally, defenders like Trey Amos and Maxwell Hairston could potentially be selected following a modest move downward in the draft order.
Will Johnson, Michigan
Do I think he will be available? No. Would I jump like a kid told he can have ice cream before dinner if the Vikings draft him? Absolutely. Johnson was a cornerstone of the national champion Michigan team in 2023, was elected an All-American, and earned Defensive MVP in the championship game.
Johnson will step right into the role of CB1. Whether it’s press coverage, off-ball assignments, zones, or man-to-man, he excels in all of them. While he may not be the quickest runner out there, his speed is adequate for most situations, and his athletic abilities allow him to keep pace with virtually any wideout. Furthermore, Johnson’s high football intelligence ensures that he consistently finds himself well-positioned to make plays and break up passes when needed.
At the moment of the snap and when the receiver reaches the peak of their route, he tends to make contact, aiming to throw off the receiver’s rhythm. However, he has dealt with various injuries over time, resulting in him missing at least one game each year, such as the Big Ten Championship in 2023 and seven games during the 2024 season.
The primary aspect he needs to enhance is tackling, particularly within a Flores system that requires cornerbacks to actively engage in stopping the run. Although Travis Hunter stands out uniquely, Will Johnson might be the most skilled pure cornerback in this draft class.
Jahdae Barron, Texas
If Johnson excels as an outside cornerback capable of sticking with the opposition’s top wide receiver throughout the entire game, then Baron embodies precisely what Flores cherishes most: adaptability. During his time at Texas, Baron versatilely took on roles within both the slot and at safety before ultimately positioning himself primarily as an outside cornerback for about 70 percent of defensive plays last season.
At just 5’10” tall, he stands out as the shortest athlete on this roster; however, his bodyweight aligns closely with many of his peers. Despite his below-average stature, he excels at intercepting passes and defending against them, topping his league with five picks and sixteen deflections. This impressive performance earned him the prestigious Jim Thorpe Award.
He is older, something Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has stayed away from in the first round, and will turn 24 in December. If Baron were a little taller (like an inch or two), there’s no way he would go past the Top 10 based on what he put on film. Byron Murphy showed last year that you can be smaller and still be a good cornerback for Brian Flores, and, with the versatility that Baron brings, it’s hard to imagine him not being effective.
Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky
Hairston isn’t short, yet he stands out as the slimmest individual in this setting and among the lightest students in his class. Despite being an eager tackler, his limited size and technique render him somewhat vulnerable when it comes to the running plays (for now at least).
His exceptional reach and wing span, combined with outstanding mobility, enable him to stick with receivers throughout their routes and close in when necessary. His agile hips allow for precise mirroring of receiver paths during one-on-one defense. Additionally, he shows good awareness to swiftly break towards passes and interfere at the moment of reception.
He may face challenges when matched up against stronger wideouts such as D.K. Metcalf due to his physique, yet his innate athleticism, knack for interceptions (he recorded 5 INTs in 2023 after having only one the previous year despite missing seven games where quarterbacks became hesitant to target him), along with his three defensive touchdowns, position him as a prospect who could evolve into an excellent starting cornerback swiftly.
Trey Amos, Ole Miss
Amos recently celebrated his 23rd birthday and has had quite an educational career in college athletics, playing for three different institutions over five seasons: three years at Louisiana, followed by stints at Alabama and Ole Miss. Despite starting games just twice during this period—in 2022 at Louisiana and then again in 2024 at Ole Miss—his performance last year stood out significantly. He recorded 16 pass deflections, caused one fumble, and secured three interceptions in the process.
He possesses an excellent combination of height, reach, and agility, making him a well-rounded athlete overall. However, he can be somewhat inflexible, often struggling when reaching the end of his routes. His nearly 32-inch arms prove effective for intercepting passes. Even if the opposing player secured the ball, Amos would aggressively contest the catch throughout the entire process, attempting to dislodge it.
Shavon Revel Jr., from East Carolina
I find fewer players more appealing for the Vikings than Shavon Revel. At 24 years of age with a history of tearing his ACL in 2024 and having played for East Carolina, he might not seem like an obvious choice, yet do not allow these factors to deter your interest in him.
He possesses excellent stature and enjoys being very aggressive towards receivers (perhaps excessively so). I understand that some of you believe this because he previously competed as
East Carolina
This may not be particularly impressive, but just like with players from outside the Power 4 who get first-round buzz, you hope they can dominate their competition. In this instance, he didn’t merely outperform them; he completely dominated them, almost like playing against kindergarteners. Revel had the option to move to programs such as Alabama and LSU, yet decided to remain closer to home and loyal to the institution that provided him an opportunity after attending junior college due to academic issues.
When playing, he employs his strength and agility to interfere with opponents’ rhythms right from the start of their routes, though occasionally he becomes overly aggressive with his hands. Additionally, he effectively utilizes the sidelines to limit the space available for receivers. He actively contributes to stopping runs and demonstrates solid tackling skills.
Kevin O’Connell and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah consistently emphasize their preference for intelligent, resilient athletes passionate about football. There’s no denying Revel’s resilience; despite facing significant personal challenges, he managed to elevate himself into being considered a top-first-round pick. While I genuinely wish the Vikings select him, should he end up outside the NFC North, my joy for his success remains unaltered.
Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame
Morrison is a promising talent, yet he carries a significant concern regarding his health. One issue I strongly stand behind is that an extensive injury history isn’t as critical when those injuries aren’t related. To illustrate, if a player missed games due to a severe ankle sprain in one instance and then a fractured thumb later, these would be separate issues with little connection. However, consecutive similar injuries raise flags. Given Morrison’s young age of just 21, he has already experienced two substantial hip problems—one during high school and another recently.
If he managed to stay fit, I have absolutely no doubts that he would cement his status as a first-round draft pick; his potential was evident from watching the footage. In 2022, as a freshman, he earned All-America honors with 6 interceptions and 10 pass deflections. The following year, during his sophomore season in 2023, he recorded 3 interceptions and 13 pass breakups. Given this impressive ball-hawking capability, opposing teams opted to avoid throwing at him altogether in the six games he participated in as a junior.
He moves gracefully and excels against various coverages, yet he faces challenges initially in the running game. He finds it difficult to shed blockers and frequently misses tackles; this could be exploited by NFL teams. Assuming his health checks out fine and his hip issue doesn’t become an enduring concern, he has the potential to be quite a find during the draft process.
Byron Murphy excels as a cornerback, yet he requires support. Isaiah Rodgers shows promise with unutilized potential and might become a reliable starter at minimum. Additionally, several free agents remain an option. However, the squad currently relies heavily on just two developing talents: Mekhi Blackmon and Dwight McGlothern. While these players suffice for 2025, the team should focus on nurturing talent for long-term success at the position.
The last time the Vikings truly had an elite cornerback was eight years ago.
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More must-reads:
- How the Media Views the Vikings as We Approach NFL Draft Night
- Todd McShay Shares Insightful Mock Draft for the Vikings
- The Hidden Agent for Vikings Everyone Desires
