We’re all going through a lot of uncertainty in life, and it’s no different for the Minnesota Vikings players and coaches. Fortunately, things cleared up a little bit last week, as the NFL sent a memo to all 32 teams, informing them when players are expected to arrive for training camp. If the Vikings stick to the plan, rookies will show up July 21, quarterbacks and injured players will show up July 23, and the remaining players will show up July 28.
Before we get too far into training camp updates, we continue our breakdown of the Vikings’ roster.
Two years ago, the Vikings had one of the best secondaries in the league. Xavier Rhodes was coming off an All-Pro season, former first-round pick Trae Waynes had taken over a starting role, Mackensie Alexander was looking like a long-term starter in the slot, and the Vikings used a first-round pick on Mike Hughes. Unfortunately, no position was hit harder this offseason than cornerback. Mike Hughes is now the most veteran player in that group, and the Vikings are counting on several rookies to make an impact right away.
Mike Hughes is entering year three and is tied for the most experience among Vikings cornerbacks. An injury cut his rookie season short, and it took him a while to get up to speed in 2019. Hopefully he is ready to step up in his third year and become the team’s shutdown cornerback.
Holton Hill is also entering his third year in the league. His rookie season he saw limited snaps, but when he stepped on the field the undrafted CB out of Texas turned some heads. He was suspended to start his sophomore season, and never fully got on track once he was reinstated. He has an inside track at a starting spot this season, but it’s not guaranteed at this point.
Kris Boyd was a seventh-round pick in 2019 who saw the field in every game last season. He has an advantage over the incoming rookies because he knows the defense already. If he shows up to training camp ready to go, he can grab the third CB spot (which is a starter in today’s NFL).
Jeff Gladney is a first-round pick who will be reporting on Tuesday with the rest of the rookies. The Vikings looked long and hard at all the corners in this year’s draft and decided Gladney was their guy.
Cameron Dantzler was drafted two rounds after Gladney. Third-round picks usually take a couple of years before they are ready to start, but with all the uncertainty in the Vikings’ secondary, he has a chance to compete for playing time right away.
Harrison Hand was drafted two rounds after Dantzler. The Vikings knew they needed a ton of help at CB, so they drafted three in the top five rounds.
The Vikings will likely keep six cornerbacks, so the following players will have a tough time making the final roster.
Nevelle Clarke is the fourth rookie on the team, although he was undrafted.
Mark Fields is entering his second year. The Vikings traded for him last season, and he appeared in one game before being stashed on the practice squad.
Nate Meadors is also entering his second year, and like Fields, he spent most of last season on the Vikings’ practice squad.
Marcus Sayles is on his third team since entering the NFL in 2017. He has yet to see the field.
Who do you think will be the biggest surprise at cornerback this season for the Vikings? Reach out to me on Twitter (@JordanWrightNFL) and let me know. Skol!