5 strongest positions on the 2019 Minnesota Vikings

(Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs
(Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs /
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(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) Mackensie Alexander
(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) Xavier Rhodes and Mackensie Alexander /

1. Cornerback

There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it, cornerback is by far the strongest position on the 2019 Vikings. Minnesota is crazy deep at this position and it’s pretty amazing they were able to obtain such a deep stable of quality cover men.

Xavier Rhodes is the lead horse of this group. He’s got the size, the speed, the smarts, and he is a top five corner in the NFL. Rhodes is coming off a down season, but he was never really healthy in 2018 and he should bounce back in a big way this year.

Trae Waynes has only gotten better and better since being drafted by the Vikings in 2015. He is entering what could be his final season with Minnesota though and he will be playing for a huge contract whether it’s from the Vikings or another team. Waynes is one of the fastest corners around and his tackling and technique have improved greatly under the tutelage of Minnesota head coach Mike Zimmer.

The Vikings also have Mackensie Alexander, who has become one of the better nickel defenders in the NFC. He developed a knack for blitzing during his breakout season in 2018 and he tallied an impressive four sacks.

Behind Alexander is 2018 first-round pick, Mike Hughes. Hughes is coming off a torn ACL, but the young Minnesota corner played at a high level before getting hurt and he still has a bright future.

After Hughes is second-year man Holton Hill. Hill played well when pressed into duty last year, but then he went and got himself suspended for the start of the 2019 season.

If Hill can keep his nose out of trouble, then he could potentially develop into a starting-caliber cornerback. But his worst case is a top-end backup.

The Vikings cornerback depth chart is then rounded out by late-round rookie Kris Boyd and former AAFer Duke Thomas.

light. Must Read. Early look at the Vikings' 2019 training camp battles

Minnesota’s current group of cornerbacks is a unit that is very deep. It boasts elite level starters and top-end backups. It is without a doubt the strongest position on the 2019 Vikings.