The Vikings entered Saturday’s preseason opener with a clear plan at cornerback. Their first-team unit of Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, and Jeff Okudah has barely wavered since the start of OTAs, and that continued in Minnesota’s 20-10 win over the Texans.
With Murphy Jr. among the team’s group of veterans who sat out the game, the Vikings sent Rodgers and Okudah out with the first-team defense, and then began rotating in Mekhi Blackmon, Dwight McGlothern, and the rest of the group after a couple of series.
It was hard not to feel good for Blackmon, Minnesota’s former third-round draft pick who saw his first preseason action since 2023. He was the Vikings’ leading tackler with five (four solo) in the game, and the coaches clearly wanted an extended look at the former USC star. His 34 snaps in the game were among Minnesota’s leaders on defense, per Pro Football Focus.
Mekhi Blackmon could soon challenge Jeff Okudah at nickel corner for the 2025 Minnesota Vikings
It’s fair to say the arrow is pointing up (albeit slightly) on Blackmon. He was used prominently with the second group on Saturday, and PFF notably charted 20 snaps where Blackmon lined up in the slot.
Blackmon is clearly the top challenger to Okudah, whose limited action vs. the Texans was tough to gauge. Okudah and Rodgers were featured with the first unit as expected, but with Murphy out, Okudah worked exclusively on the outside. He was the man in coverage when Houston quarterback Davis Mills found wide receiver John Metchie III for an 18-yard gain, a key play that led to the Texans' lone touchdown of the game.
Okudah has seen the bulk of his reps in the nickel spot this summer. Still, the Vikings would love to see one of their established starters from camp be more competitive in a rep against the Texans’ second-string offense.
Despite Saturday’s strong stat line, Blackmon hasn’t done enough to make significant headway in Minnesota’s cornerback competition. He surrendered catches on both of his targets against the Texans, and per Alec Lewis of The Athletic:
“It feels like it’d take a drastic change (from health or performance) to alter that standing.”
Training camp buzz for defensive backs Kahlef Hailassie, Zemaiah Vaughn is for real
Per PFF, third-year safety Jay Ward led all Vikings defenders with 41 snaps on Saturday. The next highest? Undrafted rookie cornerback Zemaiah Vaughn, with 36.
Vaughn has a realistic shot at making Minnesota’s initial 53, and he helped his cause against the Texans with four solo tackles. He worked prominently on the outside and is competing for a depth role in the secondary. He’ll likely need to show the coaches something on special teams to secure a roster spot, so that will be something to monitor in the final two preseason games.
Another player whose stock is rising is defensive back Kahlef Hailassie, who seemed to line up everywhere, from playing centerfield at safety, to up in the box. He also had 10 snaps as a slot corner and finished with a pass breakup and two interceptions. Head coach Kevin O’Connell raved about Hailassie’s versatility postgame and how he fits “with how we play around here.”
Hailassie, another former undrafted player, could be the next linebacker-safety hybrid in the making for Brian Flores and company.