Vikings Seem Intrigued by a Top CB Prospect
The Minnesota Vikings have a number of different directions that they can go in with their first-round draft pick.
Of course, many are hoping that they will select a quarterback in the first round, whether that means staying at No. 11 overall or trading up to get in the mix for one of the top three prospects. While the Vikings certainly are doing their due diligence in regards to that QB position, the team also seems intrigued by another prospect.
That prospect plays a position that is familiar to Vikings fans early in recent NFL Drafts, and that is cornerback Quinyon Mitchell out of Toledo.
Read More: Quinyon Mitchell NFL Draft Profile
Vikings Seem Intrigued by a Top CB Prospect
Vikings defensive backs coach Daronte Jones, who is serving as defensive coordinator of Mitchell and the rest of the National team, has gotten an up-close look at the cornerback throughout the week, and Jones actually name-dropped Mitchell’s name when he joined the NFL Network broadcast during Thursday’s practice as one of the prospects who have stood out throughout the event.
It doesn’t seem to be coincidence that, on the same day Jones brought up Mitchell, Alec Lewis of The Athletic wrote an article detailing Minnesota’s interest in the prospect. Lewis wrote the following on the Vikings’ interest in Mitchell:
“One player of serious interest this year is cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, who shared Wednesday that he had met with the Vikings. The University of Toledo product played in 39 games over the last three years and in 2023 was Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded cornerback among 200 qualified CBs.”
Of course, simply meeting with a prospect at the Senior Bowl isn’t entirely breaking news. Teams have the opportunity to meet with each prospect at the event, but they can also request additional time with select players that particularly intrigue them.
However, the fact that Lewis pegged Mitchell as a prospect of “serious interest” to the Vikings seems to indicate that they have had a particularly close eye on the prospect throughout the week.
This interest makes sense. While the Vikings have a number of cornerbacks locked into their roster for next season, they lack a true lockdown player on the boundary. This is exactly what Mitchell did at Toledo, recording 37 passes defended and six interceptions over the past two seasons.
Coming into the week, there were some questions as to whether or not Mitchell would be able to keep up with increased competition, but he has passed all tests with flying colors. Over the three practice sessions, he showcased a physical playstyle in his coverage and was able to keep up with the top burners at the WR position such as Florida WR Ricky Pearsall and Michigan WR Roman Wilson.
While quarterback may be at the top of the list for the Vikings in the first round, Mitchell and the cornerback position as a whole cannot be overlooked if QBs begin flying off the board early in the draft.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Sports Reference CFB.
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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.