Which corners available in the 2018 draft pool might be suiting up in a Minnesota Vikings uniform next season?
For the past few seasons, the Minnesota Vikings have had one of the best secondaries in the entire NFL. The Vikings’ defense has ranked third or better in passing yards allowed in the last two years and they have never ranked lower than 12th in this category since Mike Zimmer was hired in 2014.
Led by All-Pro corner Xavier Rhodes, Minnesota’s pass defense is night and day compared to what it was just one year before Zimmer showed up (second-worst in 2013).
Despite their recent dominance, there’s a pretty good chance that the Vikings could select a cornerback with one of their picks in this year’s NFL Draft.
Even if Minnesota ends up re-signing Terence Newman this year, there’s no real indication to what the 39-year-old corner’s role will be with the team next season. There have also been some rumblings that the Vikings are interested in finding a new nickel cornerback for 2018. So that could be something they choose to take care of with a draft selection.
Of the corners available in this year’s draft pool, who could be the next to join Minnesota’s talented defensive backfield?
Mike Hughes, Central Florida
Measurements:
- 5-foot-10
- 189 pounds
2017 Stats:
- 49 total tackles
- 11 pass deflections, 4 interceptions
Draft Projection: Rounds 1-2
Due to his size, Hughes could be someone the Vikings draft to be their future nickel corner. But since he lined up on the outside for the majority of his college career, his transition to the slot could take a year or two to actually happen.
Hughes was outstanding for UCF in 2017. In 13 games, he didn’t allow his receiver to catch a touchdown or a pass longer than 21 yards according to Pro Football Focus.
His transition to the NFL could be easier than for other corners since he doesn’t rely on being physical or using his hands too much in coverage. At times he can forget to tackle with his arms and that is something that cannot continue at the professional level.
In addition to his skills as a corner, Hughes also excelled at returning kicks and punts for UCF. In 2017, he returned two kickoffs and one punt for a touchdown.
Hughes did begin his college career at North Carolina, but some off-the-field issues led to him transferring in 2016. He was suspended indefinitely by North Carolina in 2015 following his involvement in a fight at a frat party which resulted in him being charged with assault.
Isaiah Oliver, Colorado
Measurements:
- 6-feet
- 201 pounds
2017 Stats:
- 26 total tackles
- 12 pass deflections, 2 interceptions
Draft Projection: Rounds 1-2
Regarded by some as a first round prospect this year, the second round could be a place where the Vikings consider drafting Oliver.
There isn’t too much flash about him, he really is just a solid player. Oliver played both man-to-man and zone coverage at Colorado and performed well in each for the majority of the time.
He does have a tendency to lose track of the ball when it’s in the air, which has led to penalties on a few occasions. That is definitely something that will have to be improved upon once he gets to the NFL.
While Oliver was pretty reliable for most of his college career, he did give up a big play every now and then. According to Pro Football Focus, the young corner allowed at least one receiver to catch a pass of 40 yards or more in each of his his three seasons at Colorado.
Jaire Alexander, Louisville
Measurements:
- 5-foot-10
- 196 pounds
2017 Stats:
- 19 total tackles
- 4 pass deflections, 1 interception
Draft Projection: Rounds 2-3
Alexander didn’t play a ton last season (just six games), but he definitely made the most of his opportunities in 2017. The young corner was targeted just 19 times by opposing quarterbacks last season and he only gave up a total of five catches.
Due to a knee injury and a broken hand, Alexander was not able to be on the field as much as he would’ve like last year. His small frame does make him more susceptible to injuries at the professional level as well.
At Louisville, Alexander mainly lined up on the outside. But NFL teams will likely want him to be their nickel corner because of his smaller size.
During his college career, Alexander also returned 43 punts (including one for a touchdown in 2016). So he does offer more than just his skills on the defensive side of the ball.
Don’t be surprised if the Vikings snag Alexander off the board if he’s still available in the second round.
Holton Hill, Texas
Measurements:
- 6-foot-3
- 200 pounds
2017 Stats:
- 51 total tackles
- 6 pass deflections, 2 interceptions
Draft Projection: Rounds 3-5
Midway through the 2017 season, Hill was projected by some to be drafted in the first round this year. But a three-game suspension to end his season has caused the corner’s draft stock to go down quite a bit during the last few months.
Hill’s suspension was reportedly due to a failed drug test, something that was also reported to have happened multiple times during his career at Texas. This is certainly something that needs to stop if he wants to have a long career in the NFL.
When he actually was on the field, Hill performed impressively. He was excellent against the run last season and each of his three career interceptions were returned for touchdowns.
Hill didn’t play a ton of press coverage at Texas, but his physicality in college would seem to indicate that he would be just fine if asked to do so in the NFL. He did tend to let his receivers get behind him at times, but his lanky frame still allowed him to recover and make plays on the ball.
Next: 4 offensive linemen the Vikings could draft in 2018
If the Vikings are willing to take a risk on the kid and hope that he’s done failing drug tests, selecting him with either their third or fifth-round pick could be an option for them to consider if he’s still available.