6 cornerbacks the Vikings could pick in the 2021 NFL Draft
By Dean Jones
Patrick Surtain II (Alabama)
Measurements:
- Height: 6-foot-1 | Weight: 203 pounds
2020 Stats:
- 22 tackles
- 1 interception
- 9 pass breakups
Although it would be a huge surprise if the Vikings allocated their first-round selection on a cornerback, it might be a different story if Patrick Surtain II somehow falls into their laps.
The Alabama standout is the best corner prospect entering the league this year, and his contribution to the Crimson Tide’s convincing national championship triumph in 2020 did nothing to dispel the notion he is going to be a top NFL player in no time at all.
The prospect is the son of former All-Pro Patrick Surtain Sr., so the bloodlines and additional knowledge acquired from his father have been significant benefits to his development. The younger Surtain is absolutely flawless in coverage to such a degree that teams clearly avoided throwing in his direction throughout the 2020 campaign.
It’s hard to pick holes in Surtain’s play. He is expected to be a top-10 pick later this month, but whether the run on quarterbacks and wide receivers early on could see him drop to the Vikings at No. 14 remains to be seen.
If this scenario does play out, it would be a hard thing to turn down. Patrick Peterson and Mackensie Alexander are seen as short-term fixes for Minnesota as they look to get back in the postseason. But with the concerning situation developing around Jeff Gladney, something long-term to put alongside Cameron Dantzler would probably be welcome at some stage.