Vikings May Ignore a Popular Draft Theory

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell introduces defensive coordinator Brian Flores during a press session at the TCO Performance Center on July 2024 in Eagan, Minnesota. Flores discusses his background and defensive vision after joining Minnesota, bringing experience from previous roles with the Patriots, Dolphins, and Steelers into the organization. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.

Are you itching for the Minnesota Vikings to draft a cornerback early in the draft? If so, it may not be in Round 1, says one popular analyst.

Minnesota could bypass the cornerback early and trust its board.

The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis, who is plugged into the Vikings’ interworkings, claimed this week that cornerback may not be on the menu in Round 1.

Minnesota Has More Than One Path if CB Waits until Day 2

If not a CB, then what?

Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores surveys the field from the sideline during NFC wild card action on Jan. 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Flores tracks formations and personnel while coordinating calls, managing adjustments in real time during a high-stakes postseason road matchup against a playoff-caliber opponent. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.

Lewis: CB May Not Be the Pick for Vikings

Sizing up the draft in nine days, Lewis opined this week, “Coaching input will be weighed heavily. And unlike previous seasons, the Vikings have a bevy of picks in the top 100. The team’s leadership knows it needs to find hits.”

“The Vikings haven’t used a first- or second-round pick on a cornerback since Flores arrived, and I don’t expect them to start now, especially after signing free agent James Pierre.”

Until Lewis’s declaration, cornerback felt like a draft need — and probably still is — especially in January and February.

The Defense Is Great without Elite CBs

Listen, if you want an argument to suggest the Vikings don’t need a cornerback in Round 1, well, the team has it. These are the defensive numbers under Flores:

Vikings Defense Ranking,
Per EPA/Play,
Under Brian Flores:

2023: 17th
2024: 2nd
2025: 3rd
Overall Since 2023: 2nd

Meanwhile, the Vikings have featured these cornerbacks with Flores in charge:

• Byron Murphy Jr.
• Isaiah Rodgers
• Stephon Gilmore
• Akayleb Evans
• Mekhi Blackmon
• Shaquill Griffin
• Andrew Booth
• Jeff Okudah
• Fabian Moreau

Flores hasn’t needed elite cornerbacks — or even young ones — to generate the NFL’s second-best defense over the last three years. This might just be his modus operandi.

The Precedent

Want to know why Lewis is probably onto something? The evidence from precedent is already lurking. In 2023, the Vikings could’ve drafted a Round 1 corner; they picked wide receiver Jordan Addison. In 2024, the Vikings could’ve drafted a Round 1 corner; they picked quarterback J.J. McCarthy and outside linebacker Dallas Turner. In 2025, the Vikings could’ve drafted a Round 1 corner; they picked guard Donovan Jackson.

In each of the last three drafts, cornerback was considered a vivid draft need. Minnesota didn’t take any until after the 1st Round.

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell addresses reporters during a press conference on Sep. 26, 2025, at the Sport Ireland Campus in Dublin, Ireland. The session captures O’Connell discussing preparation, logistics, and team messaging as the Vikings navigate international travel and represent the franchise during the NFL’s global schedule. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

One might ask: Why would Flores start needing cornerbacks now? The only answer might be that former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is out of the way. He was fired on January 30th, mainly for poor drafting habits and offseason quarterback decision-making.

Moreover, when Flores coached the Miami Dolphins from 2019 to 2021, his employer drafted just one 1st-Round cornerr.

In contrast, Zone Coverage‘s Chris Schad noted on the Vikings draft this week, “Grabbing a cornerback would be a pick that satisfies Flores but also gives the Vikings a premium position at a potential discount. The same would go for edge rusher. Minnesota already has Jonathan Greenard, Dallas Turner, and Andrew Van Ginkel. However, they could easily be in a different situation if they trade Greenard and let Van Ginkel walk at the end of his contract.”

“The offense could also use help at offensive tackle and wide receiver. That may be enough to keep Flores salivating at the thought of a top safety for another round or two. Minnesota’s defense definitely needs some help, and Dillon Thieneman could contribute. But they also must be careful not to lean too heavily into Flores’ demands and build a team that can compete long after he heads to his next coaching destination.”

The Draft Options if No R1 CB

After Round 1, a cornerback feels like fair game, particularly as Minnesota has nine picks overall. These are the corners to know between Round 2 and 4, men whom Minnesota could pick and expect to blossom into something before too long:

• Avieon Terrell (Clemson | R1-R2)
• Colton Hood (Tennessee | R2)
• Chris Johnson (San Diego State | R2)
• Brandon Cisse (South Carolina | R2)
• D’Angelo Ponds (Indiana | R2)
• Treydan Stukes (Arizona | R2)
• Keionte Scott (Miami (FL) | R2)
• Keith Abney II (Arizona State | R3)
• Davison Igbinosun (Ohio State | R3)
• Julian Neal (Arkansas | R3)
• Chandler Rivers (Duke | R3)
• Malik Muhammad (Texas | R3)
• Devin Moore (Florida | R4)
• Daylen Everette (Georgia | R4)
• Will Lee II (Texas A&M | R4)
• Tacario Davis (Washington | R4–R5)
• Ephesians Prysock (Washington | R4–R5)
• Hezekiah Masses (California | R4–R5)

Tennessee defensive back Jermod McCoy reacts after recovering a fumble during second-quarter action on Nov. 30, 2024, at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. The play highlights his awareness and quick response as he secures possession and shifts momentum during a competitive conference matchup late in the regular season. Mandatory Credit: Stephanie Amador-Imagn Images.

SI.com‘s Will Ragatz mock-drafted Stukes to the Vikings earlier this month, explaining, “If the Vikings don’t take a safety in the first round, Stukes is one of my favorite targets at that position in round two. He’s listed as a cornerback in some spots, but he’s really a versatile defensive back who projects as either a slot corner or strong safety in the NFL.”

“Stukes is an older prospect, having spent six years at Arizona, where he went from walk-on to team captain and star. Last season, he bounced back from a 2024 ACL tear and recorded four interceptions with a 90.4 PFF coverage grade.”

Minnesota hasn’t successfully drafted a cornerback with staying power since Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander — a decade ago.