5 first-round targets for the Vikings in the 2022 NFL Draft

Andrew Booth Jr. – CB (Clemson)

Everyone is fully aware of how much the Vikings have enjoyed using first-round draft picks on cornerbacks during the Mike Zimmer era. But even if Zimmer isn’t Minnesota’s head coach after this season, cornerback is still a position group the team should be looking to improve during the 2022 offseason.

Currently, the Vikings’ top three corners, Patrick Peterson, Mackensie Alexander, and Bashaud Breeland, are all scheduled to hit free agency next year. Cam Dantzler, Kris Boyd, and Harrison Hand are the only Minnesota cornerbacks under contract with the team through the 2022 season.

If the Vikings are thinking about drafting another corner in the first round next year, Clemson’s Andrew Booth Jr. is someone to pay attention to.

Booth isn’t the biggest guy (6-feet, 195 pounds), but he makes up for it with his long arms, impressive athleticism, and physicality. At his point in his development, his tackling abilities might actually be better than his skills in pass coverage. But that should intrigue Minnesota considering some of the poor tackling that has been on display by their cornerbacks this season.