5 players the Vikings (probably) regret not drafting in 2023
By Ben Donahue
Player No. 4
Carrington Valentine - CB
Drafted By: Green Bay Packers (Seventh Round, Pick No. 232)
The Vikings’ second 2023 draft pick wasn’t until late in the third round. That’s when the organization took cornerback Mekhi Blackmon with the 102nd overall selection.
So far, it looks like Minnesota landed a budding star. Blackmon started three games at corner and played in 15 contests.
He had 41 combined tackles, three tackles for loss, eight pass breakups, one pick, and one fumble recovery.
It would have been truly sweet if Minnesota picked Carrington Valentine to play alongside Blackmon.
Valentine, who played collegiately at Kentucky, was also a 2023 selection by Green Bay. He lasted until the seventh round, 232nd overall, but Valentine didn’t play like a seventh-rounder.
As a rookie, Carrington started 12 games and played in 17. He had 44 combined tackles, including 33 solo stops, one fumble recovery for 50 yards, and nine pass breakups.
During his two games against the Vikings, the 6-foot, 190-pound Carrington had six total tackles.
Carrington should be a full-time starter for the Packers in 2024.