5 Vikings whose jobs are in danger following the 2023 NFL Draft
By Chris Schad
Player No. 4
Andrew Booth Jr. - CB
I thought about putting fellow 2022 draft pick Akayleb Evans in this spot, but at least Evans showed some potential in between sustaining three concussions.
Booth’s rookie season was a nightmare as he allowed a 108.9 passer rating on 15 targets. The amount of targets is staggering, considering Booth only played 61 coverage snaps all of last season. After allowing seven catches for 85 yards on eight targets in a Week 11 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, Booth underwent season-ending knee surgery.
Even if Booth’s struggles were due to that injury, he enters 2023 with something to prove. The Vikings signed Byron Murphy Jr. in free agency and drafted corners Mekhi Blackmon and Jay Ward. With Akayleb Evans coming back, Booth has stiff competition entering training camp.
If he can flash the form that convinced the Vikings to trade up in the second round for him a year ago, Booth has the tools to be a starting cornerback. If he doesn’t, the Vikings' search for a cornerback will continue either deeper into the depth chart or with an early pick in next year’s draft.