Desmond Trufant Goes to the Vikings In Newest FanSided.com Mock Draft

Sep 15, 2012; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies cornerback Desmond Trufant (6) prior to the game against the Portland State Vikings at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

I haven’t thought a lot about Desmond Trufant as a draft target for the Vikings. He’s obviously a very good player potentially and you could argue that cornerback is a major need. But would the Vikes really use the 23rd on a cornerback (as they do in the latest FanSided.com mock draft)? With all those good wide receivers and defensive tackles available?

I guess it depends on how you look at it. What would help the defense more: reinforcing the front line or adding to the defensive backfield? You must do both frankly. I guess it depends on what is there for you at 23. If there’s no defensive tackle the Vikes love but they love Trufant? Maybe they go Trufant. But they still could go receiver too. The thing is, there are probably better free agent options at wide receiver than cornerback or defensive tackle. So it might make more sense to target those positions high in the draft and go free agent to fill receiver holes.

Also, is Trufant even a guy who fits the scheme? That must be asked. The Vikings really need an outside cover guy to line up opposite Chris Cook. They took Josh Robinson last year but he kind of fizzled, showing bad technique in multiple areas. Is Trufant a guy who can tackle and reroute and do all those things required of a Tampa-2 corner? He doesn’t have high-end speed but that doesn’t really matter in the Vikings’ scheme. The scouting reports say he’s scrappy but just not a good tackler. And he’s not good jamming at the line.

So he sounds a little raw in the technical areas. That’s not the end of the world either. Harrison Smith was raw to start last year and by the year’s end was arguably the Vikings’ second- or third-best defensive player. Trufant is another guy who could develop quickly. I’m not necessarily sure he’s a guy I’d go after, but I’m not totally down on the idea. I think it’s worth considering at least.

Like The Viking Age on Facebook.
Follow Dan Zinski on Twitter.
Get the all-new FanSided iPhone app.
Subsribe to the Fansided Daily Newsletter. Sports news all up in your inbox.