The Viking Age
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Five Minnesota Vikings with the most to prove to the team in 2017

By Adam Patrick

Nov 24, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer shakes hands with and points at cornerback Mackensie Alexander (20) before the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Lions won 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 24, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer shakes hands with and points at cornerback Mackensie Alexander (20) before the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Lions won 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 3, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Trae Waynes (26) against the New York Giants at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Giants 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Trae Waynes (26) against the New York Giants at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Giants 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Trae Waynes, CB

When Waynes did not see much of the field during his rookie season in 2015, it was brushed away with excuses relating to Zimmer having a history of not giving his rookies a lot of playing time. Well then what was the excuse for Waynes not being able to overtake Terence Newman as Minnesota’s number two corner in 2016?

The Vikings signed Newman to a new contract this offseason and that may speak volumes to how the team feels about Waynes’ current progression. If the veteran corner is able to beat out Waynes for a starting spot yet again in 2017, Minnesota is going to have a big problem on its hands.

He did have some bright spots in 2016 (a certain game-sealing interception in Week 2 should ring some bells), but Waynes has definitely not even come close to living up to the expectations he was given when the Vikings selected him in the first round of the 2015 draft.

Will this finally be the year that he can earn enough of Zimmer’s trust to name him a full-season starter on Minnesota’s defense?

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