6 cornerbacks the Vikings could pick in the 2021 NFL Draft
By Dean Jones
Which cornerbacks could the Minnesota Vikings potentially select during the 2021 NFL Draft?
Considering the Minnesota Vikings acquired both Mackensie Alexander and All-Pro Patrick Peterson in free agency this year, the need to select a cornerback during the 2021 NFL Draft was not seen as a pressing need before a few short days ago.
That, of course, all changed with the news of Jeff Gladney’s arrest for an alleged assault on a 22-year-old woman that could see him released by the Vikings before the start of next season.
Gladney appears to be set to become the latest first-round pick who sees his career hanging in the balance after a transgression away from the gridiron. It’s a shame, especially considering the TCU product had some really nice moments during his rookie campaign last season.
One could argue that Cameron Dantzler showed more promise as a rookie for Minnesota in 2020, although he did suffer some complications in coverage in addition to an injury that also hampered his progression. Rookie corners tend to go through more growing pains than most, which is why the Vikings reacted accordingly and signed two players this offseason with proven production over a consistent period of time.
This is set to be another deep draft class for secondary playmakers. Minnesota has plenty of picks if they want to get some much-needed depth at cornerback, with the future of former first-rounder Mike Hughes also up in the air, thanks in no small part to a series of injuries that have prevented him from generating any sort of momentum in his career.
With this in mind, let’s take a look at six cornerback prospects who could be on the Vikings’ radar during the 2021 NFL Draft.