Trae Waynes playing for his career in 2017 with the Vikings

Entering his third season with the Minnesota Vikings, the former 11th overall pick in the 2015 draft is in a make it or break it year in 2017.

Trae Waynes is entering a pivotal third season with the Minnesota Vikings in 2017. The 6-foot, 190 pound cornerback out of Michigan State has not lived up to the potential so far that the Vikings were hoping for.

Waynes needs to have a solid 2017 season or Minnesota reevaluate him for the future.

The cornerback is in the third year of his four-year deal with the Vikings. Waynes is expected to be the starting cornerback across from Xaiver Rhodes, especially since Terence Newman is most likely going having a new role as the team’s utility corner.

Opposing quarterbacks often went toward Wayne’s side last season, trying to exploit the young corner. Being targeted more often in 2016 resulted in seven penalties being called on him. The breakdown of those penalties came out to be four for defensive pass interference, two for defensive holding, and one for illegal contact.

The penalty problem came most notably in Week 2 against the Green Bay Packers. As Aaron Rodgers repeatedly went at Waynes, the young cornerback was called for three penalties that night.

However, Waynes has showed signs that he has the potential to be a solid cornerback in the NFL, even going back to Week 2 last season. Yes, Rodgers made some plays going to Waynes’ side, but the Vikings’ corner had the last laugh.

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If Waynes can continue to grow and develop under Mike Zimmer (the defensive wizard) Minnesota may be giving another cornerback an extension next offseason. But if Waynes takes a step back, then the Vikings may be rethinking about the former 11th overall draft pick.