2025 NFL Free Agency and Draft: CB

[JustInTime]

The Vikings have had a secret weapon the past two years when navigating the free agent market.

Defensive coordinator Brian Flores spurred a number of successful signings in 2024, from pass rushers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel to off-ball linebacker Blake Cashman. This spring, according to coach Kevin O'Connell, Flores had an early target: cornerback Isaiah Rodgers.

"When Flo kind of has that tone in his voice about guys," O'Connell said, "... he's been pretty darn accurate."

Rodgers signed a two-year, $14 million contract, indicating a possible role as a No. 3 cornerback, but it appears he has the inside track to be a starter opposite Byron Murphy Jr.

"I see Isaiah being an every-down impact guy," O'Connell said.

The Vikings could end up drafting a cornerback but certainly don't have to do so because of need. With fellow free agent Jeff Okudah, third-year player Mekhi Blackmon and second-year player Dwight McGlothern, the "roster's pretty full at that position right now," O'Connell said. -- Kevin Seifert

[supafreak84]

I don't know that this really is a hot take, but I think Barron goes before Will Johnson in the draft and I'm starting to wonder depending on how he runs (if he runs), if he doesn't fall down the board and become an option for us at #24? The speed is reportedly average as is, and now is nursing a hamstring injury on top of the turf toe that put him on IR. I could realistically see him being an option that we did not expect

[JustInTime]

I don't know that this really is a hot take, but I think Barron goes before Will Johnson in the draft and I'm starting to wonder depending on how he runs (if he runs), if he doesn't fall down the board and become an option for us at #24? The speed is reportedly average as is, and now is nursing a hamstring injury on top of the turf toe that put him on IR. I could realistically see him being an option that we did not expect

Reid just lumped in Barron with Revel and the like so I think it’s at least warm. To me I’ve got Barron as CB2 all day without question.

Johnson is one of those guys I never bothered to look at because I never anticipated him being available. Definitely have to look now.

[supafreak84]

Reid just lumped in Barron with Revel and the like so I think it’s at least warm. To me I’ve got Barron as CB2 all day without question.

Johnson is one of those guys I never bothered to look at because I never anticipated him being available. Definitely have to look now.

He's been getting dinged in the process little by little to where it's at the point now that if he doesn't run or runs poorly...I think he could come into play for us. Short arms, doesn't have upper echelon speed, and some have described him as a gambler who has guessed right a lot at the college level, but that style of play might not serve him well as a pro

[JustInTime]

[JustInTime]

Speaking of Flores, O’Connell revealed the thinking behind signing veteran cornerback Isaiah Rodgers, who spent last season with the Philadelphia Eagles and previously played three seasons with the Indianapolis Colts.

“Isaiah was a guy that Flo identified pretty early,” O’Connell said. “Historically, when Flo has that tone in his voice about guys, he has been pretty darn accurate. That guy, whether playing for us or somebody else, has immediately shown up. No pressure on Isaiah but he definitely got that evaluation from Flo.”

While his performance came in a small sample size as a backup/rotational player, Rodgers has posted strong underlying numbers. In 1,339 snaps as a pro, he has never graded by PFF below 71.8 (out of 100) and the 27-year-old CB has allowed just an 86.6 QB rating on throws into his coverage. In 2022, he scored particularly high grades (85.2, third best in the NFL by PFF) in zone coverage, which the Vikings tend to play more often than man-to-man.

O’Connell went into detail about the entire cornerback unit, saying that he feels the room has become quite deep.

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O’Connell went into detail about the entire cornerback unit, saying that he feels the room has become quite deep.

“A guy like Jeff Okudah, who we’ve had some experience playing against, we see him as a boundary corner in nickel defense and let him get physical and get his hands on people. Mekhi and [Dwight McGlothern] coming off the years they had, Mekhi was injured and [McGlothern] coming off a development year, we feel really good about those five. Our roster is pretty full at that position right now so it’s going to be competitive throughout the spring especially if we’re able to do anything in the draft.”

The question is whether they will do anything in the draft regarding corner. With Blackmon missing 2024 due to an ACL tear and Rodgers having never played in a full-time role, the Vikings could look to a corner draft that has been touted as particularly strong in the back end of the first round into the early second round.

   

[JustInTime]

From The Athletic. There seems to be a real feeling in the draft community that the Vikings go here. That’s about 6 mocks from reputable sources in the last 10 days. 

24. Minnesota Vikings: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

Minnesota has some terrific options here to bring in a young star safety to learn from Harrison Smith. I think the Vikings will go for the freak athlete Emmanwori from South Carolina over Georgia standout Malaki Starks. The 6-3, 220-pound Emmanwori put on an awesome display at the combine, vertical jumping 43 inches, broad jumping 11-6 and running a 4.38 40 with a 1.49 10-yard split to back up a staggering amount of production in the SEC. He made 88 tackles with four INTs and two pick sixes in 2024.

Emmanwori gets compared to former Seahawks enforcer Kam Chancellor because of his size, but former Cardinals star Adrian Wilson, a five-time Pro Bowler, is a better comp, according to South Carolina DC Clayton White. White played at NC State with Wilson, who had similar size and was a more dynamic athlete than Chancellor.

Inside the Gamecocks program, Emmanwori was known as “Nick the Eraser.” As freakish as Emmanwori is, his coaches say the things that impress them most are his football IQ and ability to retain information.

“He’s as big as some defensive ends in college and faster than anyone on the field,” an SEC offensive coordinator said. “He’s got so much range, it gives you a lot to worry about. There’s some inconsistency there with him on the film, but you just don’t see guys this size or are this athletic.”

[JustInTime]

I mean, cmon now.

[StickierBuns]

I mean, cmon now.

I'm really warming up to this pick.....like I just came from the slopes and I'm sitting in front of the lodge fireplace with an Irish coffee warm.

[JustInTime]

I'm really warming up to this pick.....like I just came from the slopes and I'm sitting in front of the lodge fireplace with an Irish coffee warm.

I’m not brilliant, I’m just ahead of the curve.

Here’s the article with his analysis. I’m not sure if it’s just group think but it’s really coalescing around this prospect. 

If you haven’t looked at the highlights of Emmanwori and Sean Taylor that I previously posted you should.