7 cornerbacks the Vikings could select in the 2023 NFL draft

Who are some of the top cornerback prospects that the Minnesota Vikings could select during the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft?

The NFL draft is just over a week away, and the Minnesota Vikings still only have four cornerbacks signed that have any NFL experience - Byron Murphy Jr., Andrew Booth Jr., Akayleb Evans, and the recently signed Joejuan Williams. However, there are multiple other positions of need and players to consider with the 23rd overall pick. Wide receiver, defensive lineman, or quarterback are all very much in play. 

Despite other glaring holes on this team, the cornerback group seems especially weak in depth, and in need of a high-end talent injection. Newly acquired Byron Murphy Jr. immediately becomes the group’s most experienced and successful cornerback, and he will play alongside Evans and Booth, who are both coming off injury-riddled rookie campaigns but showed glimpses of their abilities.

Joejuan Williams played with the New England Patriots for the past three seasons, mostly as a special teamer, but has made several appearances in coverage too. Kalon Barnes and Tay Gowan are the only other cornerbacks currently signed. Neither has played any coverage snaps with the team, so they will likely only remain as special teamers. 

The Vikings ranked 31st in the league in yards allowed last season, averaging 388.7 yards against per game. Losing Patrick Peterson, their most experienced player and a leader in the locker room, won’t help. Adding a talented cornerback prospect in the first round could really turn this defensive identity around and provide stability to a position of desperate need.

There are several high-end cornerback prospects in this draft class, along with many players with great value that could be chosen in later rounds too. Considering these factors, here are seven cornerbacks Minnesota could select in the 2023 NFL Draft.