5 cornerbacks the Vikings should keep tabs on in the 2023 NFL Draft
By Luke Parrish
With Brian Flores taking charge of the defense, the Minnesota Vikings need to find better cornerbacks in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft.
As the Minnesota Vikings work to improve the defense, the secondary remains a focal point. Luckily for them, Brian Flores is taking control of the defense in an effort to fix one of the league’s worst units.
While Flores is one of the best defensive minds in the NFL, his arrival does spark yet another steep transition for a young defense devoid of playmakers. While the base defense may not look all too different in 2023, Flores brings a much different playstyle than the roster is accustomed to.
Flores thrives on blitz packages and disguising his rushers, much like Mike Zimmer at the height of his dominance as a head coach. His arrival also makes way for a return of some key Vikings veterans who actually fit his scheme much better than any of the other candidates. Harrison Smith, Danielle Hunter, and Za’Darius Smith could all return next season to serve as quality veterans.
Still, the issue remains at cornerback. Minnesota is set to lose Patrick Peterson. If he departs, the defense will be left with Andrew Booth, Akayleb Evans, and Cameron Dantzler on the roster.
So who are some of the 2023 cornerback prospects the Vikings should be watching during the next few weeks of testing before the draft in April?