Vikings 7-Round 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Danielle Hunter traded and replaced

Fifth Round (Pick No. 153)

Jakorian Bennett – CB (Maryland)

Heading into this year’s NFL Draft, the cornerback position is viewed by some as one of Minnesota’s biggest weaknesses. So waiting until the fifth round might not be ideal to add a corner, but the Vikings also shouldn’t reach for one in an earlier round just to fill a need.

Even in the fifth round though, Jakorian Bennett has the potential to develop into a cornerback who could make a significant impact for Minnesota for multiple years.

Bennett is blazing fast (4.3 speed) and he has the ability to line up on the outside or inside as a slot corner. His size (5-foot-11, 188 pounds) points to many assuming he’ll be a slot cornerback in the NFL, but his impressive athleticism helps him to make up some of his shortcomings in the size department, allowing him to be competitive as an outside corner as well.

At Maryland last season, Bennett only allowed 44.4 percent of the passes thrown to his coverage to end up as completions, in addition to opposing quarterbacks only having a 47.5 passer rating when targeting him.

He has a ton of potential for someone that could still be available for the Vikings to select in the fifth round of this year’s draft.