Yesterday, the Minnesota Vikings announced that cornerback Khyree Jackson has signed his rookie contract. Selected in the fourth round out of Oregon, Jackson did not have the typical route to the NFL. He left the first community college he attended, returned to his Maryland home, and went to work in a supermarket. In 2019, after two years of not playing football, Jackson decided to give the sport another shot. He enrolled at Fort Scott Community College in Kansas. He flipped to East Mississippi Community College in 2020 and then jumped to Alabama in 2021. After two years with the Crimson Tride, Jackson transferred to Oregon. He had the attention of the NFL with his All-Pac-12 season with the Ducks.
At 6’4”, Khyree Jackson is already the biggest cornerback in the league. He also moves and transitions like a much smaller corner. Jackson joins a very undecided Vikings position group. Byron Murphy Jr. is probably the only corner that’s assured a spot on the field. Akayleb Evans has been a starter each of his two years in the league. Concussions kept him from completing his rookie season. While showing promise last season, inconsistencies resulted in a couple benchings in the final games. Mekhi Blackmon played his way onto the field as a rookie last season, earning a handful of starts. Shaq Griffin was signed this offseason and is probably penciled in as a starter opposite Murphy in base. Nothing is settled. There are many things about Jackson that make me think that come September, he will have earned a significant role on the field.
The Vikings selected seven players in the 2024 NFL Draft. Five of those players have signed their rookie contracts.
4. Khyree Jackson, CB, Oregon
6. Walter Rouse, OT, Oklahoma
6. Will Reichard, K, Alabama
7. Michael Jurgens, C/G, Wake Forest
7. Levi Drake Rodriguez, DT, Texas A&M-Commerce
Two draft picks remain unsigned. Both were selected in the first round.
1. J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
1. Dallas Turner, OLB, Alabama
Hopefully, the Vikings can get those first round picks signed soon.
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