5 surprise players who could make the Vikings’ 2019 roster
By Nik Edlund
Craig James – CB
It wasn’t that long ago when the Vikings’ cornerback depth chart was looked at as the deepest position on the team. Things have certainly changed in just a week’s time.
Holton Hill‘s suspension recently went from four games to eight. That’s half the season he will be out for and his future with the team is very much in doubt.
On top of this, Mike Hughes isn’t yet back to 100 percent. Instead of taking reps with the defense in camp, he has been off working out on his own on the sidelines. Hill’s suspension and Hughes’ rehab will likely open the door for a player who wasn’t expected to make the team this year. That player could very well be Craig James.
James is a familiar name who joined Minnesota after the draft last year. He actually appeared in three games at the end of last season, but he didn’t post any stats.
James doesn’t have great size at 5-foot-10 and 195 pounds, but the former Southern Illinois Saluki just does a lot of things well and he seems to have a good understanding of the Vikings’ defense.
James also appeared to win the favor of head coach Mike Zimmer and he earned a lot of praise in the preseason last year.
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Prior to Hill’s extended suspension, James was likely battling Kris Boyd for the final corner spot on this year’s team. Now it’s likely that both of their chances have improved and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Vikings keep the guy who at least has a little experience under his belt.