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Cornerbacks the Vikings Need to Draft to Replace Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes

By Scott Rogust

The Vikings should target these three cornerbacks in the NFL Draft.
The Vikings should target these three cornerbacks in the NFL Draft. / Don Juan Moore/Getty Images

The Minnesota Vikings might as well be shooting up flares because their secondary is officially in shambles. Minnesota cut veteran Xavier Rhodes after a brutal 2019 campaign and lost Trae Waynes to the Cincinnati Bengals, leaving them with just Mike Hughes as the only feasible starting cornerback on the roster.

Luckily for the Vikings, they have plenty of capital to address the position in the upcoming NFL Draft. Here are three corners who make a ton of sense for Minnesota to select next month.

3. Jeff Gladney (TCU)

TCU's Jeff Gladney would be available in the first round for the Vikings.
TCU's Jeff Gladney would be available in the first round for the Vikings. / Joe Robbins/Getty Images

If Fulton is taken before the Vikings are on the clock, they'd have a pretty good fallback option in TCU's Jeff Gladney. While undersized, Gladney makes up for it with his quick feet and ability to stick with his receiver for the entirety of a play. In his senior season, Gladney recorded 31 tackles, 14 pass breakups, and one interception, netting him First-Team All-Big 12 honors, all while playing through a meniscus injury. That's the kind of toughness the Vikings can use, especially to compete in the hard-hitting NFC North.

2. Jaylon Johnson (Utah)

Jaylon Johnson would be a tremendous second-round option for the Vikings.
Jaylon Johnson would be a tremendous second-round option for the Vikings. / Alika Jenner/Getty Images

Even if the Vikings don't address the cornerback position in the first round, they can find a quality option in the second. Out of the options not named Trevon Diggs (Stefon's brother), Jaylon Johnson is the better option for Minnesota. He's a physical corner with tremendous footwork and an impressive vertical. Last season with the Utes, Johnson recorded 36 tackles, 11 passes defensed, and 2 interceptions. The Vikes may have to trade up to get him, but it'd be worth it considering how big of a need this position is for them.

1. Kristian Fulton (LSU)

Kristian Fulton could drop to the Vikings at No. 22 overall.
Kristian Fulton could drop to the Vikings at No. 22 overall. / Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

Ohio State's Jeff Okudah is the lone individual in the top-tier of cornerback prospects. Luckily for the Vikings, tier two is still pretty darn good, with Kristian Fulton standing out among the pack. Fulton has been praised by draft analysts for his athleticism, speed and footwork. During his National Championship-winning season at LSU, Fulton recorded 38 total tackles and 14 passes defensed. His main issue has been consistency, but he can definitely improve under defensive-minded head coach Mike Zimmer. Still, the Vikings might have to do a bit of praying for Fulton to drop to them at No. 22 overall.