Minnesota Vikings: Is Trae Waynes a wasted draft pick?

Is cornerback Trae Waynes already considered a bust? Or do we as fans just need to be more patient about the Minnesota Vikings 2015 first round draft pick?

In the 2015 NFL draft, the Minnesota Vikings selected Trae Waynes, cornerback from Michigan State with the eleventh overall pick. Waynes was widely thought of as the best cornerback in the draft, and when he was selected by Mike Zimmer, a coach known for his ability to coach up defensive backs, it seemed like a match made in heaven. Unfortunately, Waynes only started one game of the 2015 NFL season and that was because of an injury. While some people are already calling him a bust, I wanted to dive deeper and take a look at Zimmer’s history with highly drafted defensive backs to see if Waynes’ first year is an abnormality or something we should be worried about.

Mike Zimmer has been coaching in the NFL since 1994, but we will only be evaluating since he became a defensive coordinator in 2000. Since then, Zimmer has drafted six cornerbacks in the first two rounds of the NFL draft.

In 2000, his first year as a defensive coordinator with the Dallas Cowboys, Mike Zimmer chose Dwayne Goodrich (5’11”, 200 pounds) a cornerback from the University of Tennessee. After helping Tennessee win the National Championship and earning Defensive MVP honors as a junior, Goodrich had a lackluster senior season and fell to the second round of the NFL draft. An injury prevented him from seeing the field until November of his rookie season, and an Achilles tear eliminated his second season in the NFL. In 2003, Goodrich finally started his first NFL game, but was released following the season because of legal troubles.

November 15, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Terence Newman (23) intercepts the football intended for Oakland Raiders wide receiver Andre Holmes (18) during the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Vikings defeated the Raiders 30-14. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

In 2003, Mike Zimmer and the Dallas Cowboys selected Terence Newman (5’11”, 189 pounds, 4.37 40 yard dash) fifth overall. Newman started all 16 games as a rookie, and has been named to the Pro Bowl twice (2007 and 2009). Over his 13 year career, Newman has amassed 40 interceptions and 173 passes defended.

In 2007, his first and only year with the Atlanta Falcons, Zimmer selected Chris Houston (5’10”, 185 pounds, 4.32 40 yard dash) in the second round. Interestingly enough, the Falcons made a draft day trade with the Vikings to acquire Houston (the Vikings dropped back from 41^st to 44^th and selected Sidney Rice). Houston played in all 16 games his rookie season, starting 11 of them. In total, Houston played seven seasons in the NFL while collecting 13 interceptions and 81 passes defended.

As defensive coordinator of the Cincinnati Bengals, Mike Zimmer selected Dre Kirkpatrick (6’2”, 186 pounds, 4.5 40 yard dash) with the 17^th overall selection in the 2012 draft. Kirkpatrick’s injuries limited his playing time as a rookie, and in his four-year career, he has only started 20 of the 51 games he has played in.

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Last year, Zimmer selected Trae Waynes (6’0”, 186 pounds, 4.31 40 yard dash) with the eleventh overall pick. Waynes saw extensive action in the preseason and didn’t put on the best showing. During the regular season, he played on special teams a lot but didn’t see the field much on defense. Later in the season, injuries forced him into the lineup and Waynes didn’t disappoint. Even though he only played 215 snaps on defense (according to Pro Football Focus), Waynes earned himself a respectable player grade of 72.9, which would have been good for 51^st in the NFL had he played enough to qualify.

And finally, in the most recent draft, Mike Zimmer chose Mackensie Alexander in the second round. Alexander was projected by most to be a first round cornerback, but fell mostly due to his size (5’10”, 190 pounds, 4.47 40 yard dash) and lack of interceptions in college (zero). While Mackensie might be on the shorter side, his measurables fall right in line with the rest of the cornerbacks Zimmer has drafted highly.

Nov 28, 2015; Columbia, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers cornerback Mackensie Alexander (2) blocks the pass intended for South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver D.J. Neal (3) during the first half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports /

Mike Zimmer has selected six cornerbacks in the first two rounds of the NFL draft since he became a defensive coordinator in 2000. Of those six, one was just drafted just a couple of months ago, so for the sake of this evaluation, we won’t focus on him. Of the five remaining, only one (Terence Newman) started all 16 games his rookie season.

While it’s too early to tell if Trae Waynes will be a bust or a stud, it’s safe to say that him sitting most games his rookie season is nothing to be worried about. Mike Zimmer seems to prefer sitting his young cornerbacks, letting them learn the nuances of the professional level before sending them onto the field to battle.

Personally, I see the drafting of Mackensie Alexander as a product of luck, and foresight. I don’t think the Vikings front office expected him be available in the second round, and when he was, they jumped at the chance to add another first round talent. Another thing to consider is Captain Munnerlyn’s contract is up after this season. The front office undoubtedly knew that, and they now have his replacement lined up.

Next: Minnesota Vikings 2016 NFL Draft class

I don’t see Alexander as a threat to Trae Waynes, and I fully expect him to sit most of, if not all of his rookie season to learn. However, there is no doubt that there is more talent in Minnesota’s secondary than in years past, which should only lead to more competition and improved play from everyone.

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