Vikings’ opponents are attacking Trae Waynes – how is he holding up?

[purplefaithful]

The Minnesota Vikings have a full-grown defense.
Built on first-round picks, patient development and savvy free agent signings, they have matured during Mike Zimmer’s time into one of the best in the NFL for three years running.

Opponents have very few options against a defense that sent players from every position group to the Pro Bowl. Running hasn’t been an option this year as the Vikings have given up just 3.2 yards per carry, good for third in the NFL.
Throwing at Xavier Rhodes isn’t much of an option as he’s grown into a top shutdown corner, giving up just 18 receptions for 184 yards this season. Safety Harrison Smith is the No. 1 ranked player at his position by Pro Football Focus and Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks are among the league’s best linebacker duos now that Barr is back to 2015 form.
And all of the Vikings’ success on defense runs through their ability to rush the passer with the front four.
That leaves Trae Waynes, a former first-round pick who has been slowly prepped for a starting corner job since being selected 11th overall in 2015. During his rookie year, he was only on the field for 18.1% of total defensive snaps. That number went up to 55.9% and this season he’s been on the field for 404 of 451 defensive plays (89.6%).
http://www.1500espn.com/vikings-2/2017/1...s-holding/

[Guest]

How has he done as the target of opposing passing games? In the first two weeks, he certainly struggled, giving up 9-for-10 passing on throws his way to Brees, then he gave up a bomb and a long pass interference against the Steelers.
Since Week 3, opposing teams have had little success working the ball in Waynes’ direction. They’ve registered a 68.3 passer rating. He’s also done a strong job tackling, giving up only 41 yards after catch.
It probably isn’t a coincidence that the quarterbacks the Vikings have faced since Week 3 have been Winston, Mitch Trubisky, Brett Hundley and Joe Flacco – a far cry from Brees and Roethlisberger.
Last season, Waynes had his two poorest games against Aaron Rodgers.

[Guest]

Overall he’s given up a 91.3 rating and ranks 73rd of 112 corners who have played enough snaps to qualify for Pro Football Focus ratings. We will have a better sense of where Waynes’ transition to a full-timer stands after the bye week. This week, the Vikings face the NFL’s worst quarterback DeShone Kizer, who has just three touchdowns and 11 interceptions. But after the bye, they match up with Kirk Cousins, Jared Goff, Matt Stafford, Matt Ryan and Cam Newton in succession.
His play during that stretch could be the determining factor of whether the Vikings pick up his fifth-year option next offseason.
It could also determine whether the Vikings are a really good defense or the league’s best defense. If Waynes continues his trend since Week 3, there will be nowhere for opposing offenses to attack consistently.

[Guest]

He's an average CB with elite physical ability. He'll put his nose in there in the run game. But Waynes will never live up to that great potential. We could have it worse in that spot. 

[Guest]

I get upset when I think about how we selected Waynes in front of Peters from KC.  It's kinda like Darren Nelson being taken in front of Marcus Allen in 1982.

[Guest]

@1Wildman said:
I get upset when I think about how we selected Waynes in front of Peters from KC.  It's kinda like Darren Nelson being taken in front of Marcus Allen in 1982.

do you really watch Peters play or just look at stats?  He has a great nose for the ball,  but he also gambles on many plays and leave his teammates exposed as well.  that type of play would not be seen in a Zimmer defense.  I think the biggest challenge for guys coming into Zims D is to learn how much leash they have and still play within the constraints of his system and coverages.

[Guest]

@1Wildman said:
I get upset when I think about how we selected Waynes in front of Peters from KC.  It's kinda like Darren Nelson being taken in front of Marcus Allen in 1982.

Peters wouldn't work out in Zim's system.  He is very undisciplined and takes big gambles that sometimes pay off but sometimes they don't and he gets burned.  Zim wants consistency.

[Guest]

@StickyBun said:
He's an average CB with elite physical ability. He'll put his nose in there in the run game. But Waynes will never live up to that great potential. We could have it worse in that spot. 

pretty dogmatic statement.  Two years ago the same could have been said about Rhodes.  Didn't turn his head and look for the ball.  Too handsy, wasn't living up to the potential.  Now look where he is.

[Guest]

Anyone defending passing on Peter's for Wayne's is drinking a lot of kool aid.

Zimmer could have worked with Peters, molded him just fine.  Smells like passing on Marcus Allen for Darrin Nelson cause Darrin was more "all purpose back" vs "pure runner" 

[Guest]

@purplefaithful said:
Anyone defending passing on Peter's for Wayne's is drinking a lot of kool aid.

Zimmer could have worked with Peters, molded him just fine.  Smells like passing on Marcus Allen for Darrin Nelson cause Darrin was more "all purpose back" vs "pure runner" 

If marcus allen was either a fumble or TD type of back.  This isn't even close to that.  Why do you assume Zimmer would have been able to mold him if other coaches haven't been able to?  Perhaps Trae had the personality and talent that Zimmer was looking for.