Entering the 2025 NFL Draft, barring a trade between now and then, the Minnesota Vikings will have just four picks (No. 24, No. 97, No. 139, and No. 168). Adding some picks feels like a lock during the event, with a trade down from No. 24 and out of the first round the highest-profile possibility there.
Byron Murphy was re-signed, and Isaiah Rodgers was a notable outside addition who defensive coordinator Brian Flores apparently hand-picked. But there are question marks to some degree further down the depth chart (Mehki Blackmon, Jeff Okudah), and drafting a cornerback is likely somewhere on the radar. Flores stands to have some influence on that, too, since there are surely some prospects he likes more than others.
Looking toward Day 2 or Day 3 of the draft, where three of the Vikings' current picks sit and where they may add more picks to their docket (Day 2 in particular), here are some cornerbacks who could (should?) be on their radar.
CBs the Minnesota Vikings could pick on Day 2 or Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft
Zah Frazier (Texas-San Antonio)
Zah Frazier took a long route through college, starting at Southern Illinois in 2019, then two years at Coffeyville Community College, and three years at UTSA (and just one year as a starter).
But that one year was pretty good, as Frazier tied for second in FBS with six interceptions while also tallying nine pass breakups. With only those 10 starts on his college resume, evaluations reflect flaws that would have seemingly been helped by simply having more experience. As a reflection of his aforementioned years in college, and it may turn teams off, he will turn 25 in October.
The tools (6-foot-3, 196 pounds, 32 and 7/8-inch arms, 4.36 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine) are here in spades. On Day 3 of the draft, the Vikings could take a flier on Frazier.
Cobee Bryant (Kansas)
Bryant is one of the "my guys" in this draft for Tyler Forness of A to Z Sports. In particular, Forness likes the Kansas product as a fit for the Vikings with their third-round pick (No. 97 overall).
Bryant comes in a little smaller than some teams favor in a perimeter cornerback 6-foot, 180 pounds), and that can hurt him in some situations. But his playing style defies that lack of size, as he combines skill, instincts, and an aggressive mentality to stand out.
Bryant surely hurt his draft stock with a slow 40-yard dash at the combine (4.53 seconds). But football is not played running in a straight line with shorts on, and he is undeniably a good football player with the tape to show it (sixth-best Production Score among cornerbacks in this year's draft, according to NFL.com).
Darien Porter (Iowa State)
Porter started his career at Iowa State as a wide receiver in 2019, before moving to cornerback in 2022. All seven of his collegiate starts came last season, as he had three interceptions with Pro Football Focus' seventh-best coverage grade among cornerbacks (90.1).
While he's on the older side and relatively inexperienced, Porter is big (6-foot-3, 195 pounds, 33 and 1/8-inch arms) and fast (4.3 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine). His experience in man coverage is limited, but ESPN's Matt Miller and Lance Zierlein of NFL.com see the clear-cut physical tools befitting success as that kind of corner.
Porter, in strong deference to his potential, has been tabbed as someone who is rising up draft boards this month. That is theoretically pushing him toward being a Day 2 pick, so as it stands right now, that would put him on the Vikings' radar at pick No. 97.
Nohl Williams (California)
On a recent installment of "The Alec Lewis Show", Dane Brugler of The Athletic noted Williams as a nice fit for Brian Flores' defensive scheme.
"He is a junkyard dog at the position, and he reminds me, actually, a lot of Cam Bynum", Brugler said....."I think he brings some versatility, where you can line him up outside, or you can line him up inside, he can play a little bit of safety, physical enough to play in the box....he's got the mentality, and the ball skills that I think fits Brian Flores perfectly."
Williams (6-foot, 199 pounds) led the country with seven interceptions last season, along with 52 total tackles and nine pass breakups. Most of his snaps came as an outside corner, but as Brugler hinted at as a projection to the NFL, he had some time in the slot and in the box as well.
Flores' creativity as a defensive play-caller demands versatile players. Beyond that, all things considered, Williams could be Flores' top choice as a hand-picked cornerback draft pick.
Honorable Mentions: Zy Alexander, LSU; Bilhal Kone, Western Michigan; Justin Walley, Minnesota; Jordan Hancock, Ohio State