Minnesota Vikings all-time 53-man roster: Mike Zimmer era

Cornerbacks

CB1 – Xavier Rhodes

Xavier Rhodes was a dream that fell into Mike Zimmer’s lap when he was hired by the Vikings in 2014. Under Zimmer, Rhodes developed into one of the NFL’s best corners who could shutdown almost any opposing wide receiver he went against.

CB2 – Patrick Peterson

Working with Zimmer was one of the main reasons why Patrick Peterson signed with Minnesota in 2021. Peterson was only with the Vikings for one season of the Zimmer era, but the team’s former head coach certainly played a key part in helping the veteran cornerback get his career back on track last year.

CB3 – Trae Waynes

Trae Waynes was never able to develop into the Pro Bowl-caliber player that Minnesota was hoping for when they used a first-round pick on him in 2015. However, Waynes held his own once he became a full-time starter in 2017, and the Vikings’ secondary was definitely hurting after his departure in 2020.

CB4 – Terence Newman

At 37-years-old, not much was expected of Terence Newman when he signed with Minnesota in 2015. But then Newman went out and started all 16 games for a Vikings defense that finished the 2015 season allowing the fifth-fewest points per matchup in the NFL.

CB5 – Captain Munnerlyn

One of Minnesota’s first free-agent signings after Zimmer was hired, Captain Munnerlyn was a fixture in the slot during the former head coach’s first three years with the team. Munnerlyn played a key role in helping the Vikings and Zimmer transform one of the league’s worst pass defenses into one of the best in 2014.

CB6/PR – Marcus Sherels

Marcus Sherels certainly isn’t on this roster for his pass coverage skills. However, Sherels is arguably the best punt returner in Minnesota history, so a spot on this squad was definitely necessary.