Brian Flores, the Minnesota Vikings' defensive coordinator, prioritizes the defensive line and off-ball linebackers over defensive backs. This trend has been evident since he joined the team three years ago.
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Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores surveys the field before kickoff against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium, with Dec. 29, 2024 capturing the pregame moment in Minneapolis. Flores oversees a defense built on pressure and discipline as Minnesota prepares for a key divisional matchup. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-Getty Images
Compared to other defensive coaches in the NFL, Minnesota Vikings skipper Brian Flores just does not care about defensive backs, and it’s time to come to terms with that. Minnesota prioritized the defensive line and off-ball linebacker spot last week, a reminder that, while nice, defensive backs are not the straw that stirs the drink for Flores.
Minnesota’s latest draft class showed exactly where the defensive priority really sits.
Yes, the Vikings will eventually break the defensive back drought in the draft, but that hasn’t happened since Flores strolled into the Twin Cities three years ago.
The Vikings waited until Round 5 to pick a cornerback or safety.
Brian Flores focuses on the defensive line and off-ball linebackers, showing less emphasis on defensive backs.
The Vikings have not prioritized drafting defensive backs since Flores became the defensive coordinator.
Brian Flores joined the Minnesota Vikings three years ago.
Flores prioritizes the defensive line and off-ball linebacker positions in his defensive strategy.
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Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores watches closely from the sideline during NFC Wild Card action, tracking formations and tendencies at State Farm Stadium on Jan. 13, 2025, in Glendale, Arizona. Flores manages defensive calls in real time, evaluating personnel groupings and coverages in a high-pressure postseason setting. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
Vikings Draft Caleb Banks, Ignore DBs Early
The leaguewide mock draft community was absolutely certain that Minnesota would leave last Thursday night with Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman as the newest Viking. The problem? There was no team-leaked intel to suggest that was true, nor did any credible insiders back up the Thieneman momentum. In the end, it was just a theory, created by draft pundits because Harrison Smith may be done for good, and he kind of looks like Thieneman if you squint long enough.
Instead, the Vikings drafted Banks, a mean defensive tackle from Florida, and ignored these cornerbacks and safeties in the first three rounds:
Flores eventually drafted Jakobe Thomas at Pick No. 98, a safety from Miami, snapping the defensive back slide for Minnesota, but not before saying no thanks to a dozen prominent prospects.
Flores’s Corners and Safeties in Miami
Need evidence? Take a look at Flores’s time as the Miami Dolphins coach. Sorted in order of Approximate Value, according to Stathead, these were his cornerbacks and safeties from 2019 to 2021:
Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores stands on the field before kickoff, taking in pregame activity at Paul Brown Stadium on Aug. 29, 2021, in Cincinnati, Ohio. The moment captures Flores during warmups, with players preparing nearby, offering a snapshot of his leadership presence ahead of exhibition action. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports.
Howard was his only real jewel, and Holland, for example, was brand new to the league. Somehow, Flores gets away without showcasing star-studded defensive backs.
A Defense That Cooks without CB & S Superstars
The same setup has followed Flores to Minnesota. It’s not a coincidence. These are Flores’s defensive backs from the last three seasons with the Vikings:
Do you see any young studs drafted by the Vikings since 2023 on that list? You do not — because there are none. Flores makes do with what he has, and when it comes time to draft, he prioritizes the LB and DT spots over safety and cornerback. It’s just automatic at this point.
By the numbers, the system works. Here’s the verdict since Flores arrived:
Top 12 Defenses in the NFL,
per EPA/Play,
Since 2023:
Decent defensive backs. Top 2 defensive production. It’s the Flores way.
2026 Draft Was Primetime for Flores
Are you not convinced that Flores now has more power in the Vikings organization after Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s termination? All you must do is peek at last week’s draft. The Vikings used four of their first three-round picks on defensive players — the highest such total in franchise history. They’ve never brought in four new defenders through three rounds.
Florida defensive lineman Caleb Banks gets set to run the 40-yard dash during NFL Scouting Combine drills at Lucas Oil Stadium on Feb. 26, 2026, in Indianapolis, Indiana. The sequence highlights his preparation and explosiveness as evaluators gather timing data during a key pre-draft testing session. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
This is the Vikings’ 2026 draft class with “Flores guys” flagged in purple:
Pick 18 (R1) — Caleb Banks (DT)
Pick 51 (R2) — Jake Golday (LB)
Pick 82 (R3) — Domonique Orange (DT)
Pick 97 (R3) — Caleb Tiernan (OT)
Pick 98 (R3) — Jakobe Thomas (SAF)
Pick 159 (R5) — Max Bredeson (TE)
Pick 163 (R5) — Charles Demmings (CB)
Pick 198 (R6) — Demond Claiborne (RB)
Pick 235 (R7) — Gavin Gerhardt (OL)
The team set a franchise record for defensive players chosen early — and didn’t pick a defensive back until Thomas at the very end of Round 3.
Can you imagine what a Flores defense might do when he eventually gets a superstar cornerback? Wowzers.