5-round post-Za’Darius Smith signing mock draft for the Vikings

First-round pick:

Andrew Booth – CB (Clemson)

In this scenario, Ahmad Gardner is off the board and the Vikings are left with a very tough decision as they plan for the future. They can either go after the best player available, which would likely be an interior defensive lineman or a wide receiver, or they can still attack the cornerback position.

A player like Derek Stingley could be available at this spot but his injury history does merit some concern. His Lisfranc injury is something that can hang around for his entire career but the risk is probably worth it. The other cornerback in play would be Trent McDuffie but his size limitations should ultimately knock him off of Minnesota’s board.

That leaves Clemson’s Andrew Booth, a fiery defender who is not shy as a tackler though he could clean up his misses as he moves forward. He is an aggressive defender with a ton of speed and length that will help him survive on the perimeter.

Booth will be a Day 1 starter on the outside with the frame and skillset to fit any scheme. He does best in man coverage and when sticking to the hip of the receiver but he does have the speed and range to fit into a zone scheme.

The Minnesota Vikings need a cornerback that can anchor down one side of the field with Cameron Dantzler likely holding down the fort on the other side. Andrew Booth can be a productive starter from the jump with a lot of experience under his belt already.

If the board falls this way and the Vikings refuse to trade back, Booth makes the most sense at this moment. Medicals will be a huge factor for the cornerback class and teams have to be comfortable with their assessments. There is still a lot to learn about this group heading into April.