The Minnesota Vikings led the NFL in interceptions (24) and tied for the league lead in takeaways (33) last season, but some offseason turnover in the secondary has invited questions heading into the 2025 season.
After Byron Murphy, Brian Flores is lined up to have a hand-picked free agent (Isaiah Rodgers) and a reclamation project who has looked good during training camp (Jeff Okudah) as his starting cornerbacks in Week 1.
There's an appropriate adage that says, in light of the NFL being a passing league, "you can never have too many cornerbacks." Time will tell how true that is for the Vikings this season, after finishing 28th in pass defense last year (242 yards allowed per game).
It's worth noting that through the air was the path of far less resistance against Flores' unit last season, as the Vikings faced the most pass attempts in the league (637; 37.4 per game).
Still, there's no question that cornerback is a long-term concern in Minnesota.
Minnesota Vikings address future defensive question mark in early 2026 mock draft
Using DraftKings' current Super Bowl odds, set in reverse order, Bleacher Report's NFL draft scouts (Brandon Thorn, Dame Parson, Daniel Harms, and Matt Holder) recently put together their first mock draft for 2026.
With the 18th overall pick, which would have them just missing the playoffs, the Vikings took Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell.
"The Minnesota Vikings' secondary has been a work-in-progress for some time.
They can rely on longtime safety Harrison Smith for only so long. From there, Byron Murphy Jr. is the only reliable cornerback on the roster, which is why the position is targeted with this selection.
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores has been able to cobble together the Vikings' defense every season in a new, weirder way than before," Harms said, "and we appreciate him for it. However, the team could possibly start Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah at cornerback this season. They need help.
Clemson's Avieon Terrell is a talented, fluid athlete who constantly attacks the ball at the catch point. He has the recovery speed and length to play man-coverage and the eye discipline and route-recognition to succeed in zone.
Terrell would be a great addition to a Flores' aggressive defensive scheme, which, in turn, could help the defensive back grow into an even better player."
Terrell started some games late in his 2023 freshman season for Clemson, but he took a big step forward last season. He started all 14 games, earning Second Team All-ACC honors with 58 total tackles, 12 pass breakups, five tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and two interceptions.
Pro Football Focus has generally been complimentary of Terrell's work through two college seasons, including an elite-level 90.7 run defense grade last season.
The Vikings haven't had a young boundary corner who has staying power as a cornerstone of the defense in a long time. It's fair to assume an early piece of 2026 draft capital will be invested in trying to change that, and maybe the stars align for Terrell to become that guy.