Minnesota Vikings 2020 NFL Draft Profile: Stanford Samuels III – CB

Where he fits with the Minnesota Vikings:

Mike Zimmer loves long cornerbacks who can play a physical game at the line of scrimmage. My comparison for Stanford Samuels right now is a young Xavier Rhodes, so this is the perfect match.

Obviously, he is not nearly as pro-ready as Rhodes was entering the NFL, but Samuels has a lot of similar traits and tools.

With the aforementioned Rhodes, Mackensie Alexander, and Trae Waynes potentially leaving Minnesota this offseason, the Vikings will need to re-build the secondary. Samuels would bring size and ball skills back to the defense, something that has been lacking lately.

My biggest concern with him at this point is his ability to stick as a man-to-man corner early in his career. Minnesota will want him to be physical and reliable on the outside. His entire rookie camp and training camp will be focused on technique and getting his hands into the chest of his opposition.

Can the Vikings afford to take a work-in-progress prospect this early in this year’s draft at a position they need immediate help from?

Depending on how the board falls, Samuels might be the best option on the board for Minnesota in the second round at 58th overall. That said, the Vikings may be able to trade down a bit to accumulate some extra picks and still land Samuels in the early-third round.

I am a huge fan of Samuels and would love to see him in Minnesota next season for the right price. With some young talent on the roster, he will be in a comfortable situation and under the watch of great coaching. If the Vikings pass on a cornerback in the first round, Samuels should be in play for them on Day 2.