Minnesota Vikings Cornerbacks

The Minnesota Vikings need for upgrades on the interior of the offensive and defensive lines had been highlighted and talked about plenty during and since last season. Slightly under those significant needs has been a considerable need to upgrade the cornerback position. Flipping from last season to this season, only three cornerbacks were initially on the roster. And two of those were coming back from season-ending injuries. In that sense, the Vikings had to completely rebuild their cornerback position. 

Nearly two weeks into the offseason, the Vikings cornerback room looks something like this:

Byron Murphy Jr.

Mekhi Blackmon

Isaiah Rodgers

Jeff Okudah

Dwight McGlothern

NaJee Thompson

Tavierre Thomas

Ambry Thomas

Nahshon Wright

Reddy Steward

Kahlef Hailassie

Before the signings of Ambry Thomas, Nahshon Wright, Reddy Steward, and Kahlef Hailassie to futures contracts, Mekhi Blackmon, Dwight McGlothern, and NaJee Thompson were the only corners scheduled to be on the 2025 roster. Blackmon and Thompson were/are coming back from injuries that wiped out their 2024 seasons. Through his single 2023 season, Thompson was/is considered more of a special teams player. As an undrafted free agent, McGlothern earned a roster spot with some sparkling play in training camp and the preseason. He was a game day inactive for most of the season but got some snaps. He looked like he belonged in those limited snaps. Despite the undrafted status, McGlothern has a bright future in the league. As for the present, he entered the offseason as the only healthy, returning corner on the Vikings roster. Byron Murphy Jr., the leader of this group, was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. He had played his way to a hefty new contract. There was no guarantee that he’d be back but his re-signing was a priority. It was a priority right there with improving the offensive and defensive line. Fortunately, Murphy was re-signed before free agency officially opened on March 12. 

Considering that he was the first new player signed during the “legal tampering” window, the Vikings clearly targeted Isaiah Rodgers. Other than a 2023 season lost to a gambling suspension, Rodgers has been seen as a corner on the rise. The Vikings certainly see him that way. Last year, he was a significant contributor on a very good Philadelphia Eagles defense. His was an under-the-radar signing but it could prove to be one of the best of a very active free agency. 

It’s probably safe to say that, in March, the Vikings top three corners are Byron Murphy Jr, Mekhi Blackmon, and Isaiah Rodgers. That’s a starting trio that could surprise. Veteran, but still young, Jeff Okudah was signed this week to further supplement the position. As the #3 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Okudah has elite NFL talent. He has yet to live up to that talent. That’s why he’s a supplemental signing six years later. Perhaps with the #3-pick pressure off, he and the Vikings coaches can find a path to tap into that talent. Signing Okudah is a low-risk signing that could yield high rewards. 

No games have been played but I do feel a whole lot better about the Vikings cornerback group.