Vikings Safety Is Getting Some Run at Cornerback
The first week of training camp has brought some storylines. With Monday’s release of competitor John Parker Romo, rookie kicker Will Reichard has claimed the haunted kicking spot. Fellow rookie J.J. McCarthy has been looking good and might perhaps challenge Sam Darnold soon. Those talkers, and others, have been overshadowed to some extent by the cornerback group.
Vikings Safety Is Getting Some Run at Cornerback
Mekhi Blackmon will miss the season with a torn ACL, while veteran Shaquill Griffin has been absent with a minor soft-tissue injury. The depleted cornerback room needs some help. When the Vikings acquired safety Bobby McCain, who has plenty of experience as a slot cornerback, folks expected him to be that guy. A few hours later, though, defensive coordinator Brian Flores stepped in front of the media and announced that the new arrival would work at safety with the option to get some run in other spots later.
That opens the door for another safety to work with the cornerback group. On Monday, sophomore Jay Ward made the transition. Will Ragatz (Si.com) wrote on Monday: “With McCain at safety, second-year DB Jay Ward — who is listed as a safety — might be moving to corner. He was working there throughout the day on Monday.”
Ward is a classic Flores player, having the versatility to play all over the field. He is listed as a safety, but he played outside and slot cornerback in college as well. Coming out of LSU in 2023, Ward landed in Minnesota in the fourth round with pick 134.
Before that draft, draft scout Lance Zierlein noted about the defender: “Versatile defensive back with a fearless playing mentality. Ward has good size and length for a nickel cornerback, but he lacks a little thickness as a safety who likes to hit. He can be counted on to do his job in run support from the slot and has adequate coverage talent from off-man and zone. He will make plays when he’s in position to do so but doesn’t have the route anticipation needed for strong on-ball production just yet. Ward takes good angles to the football in coverage and run support as a safety. His versatility improves his chances of becoming an NFL starter in the future.”
So, seeing him play in the slot has always been a possibility.
In his final season at LSU, Ward played in every spot imaginable. According to PFF, the 24-year-old defender lined up in the slot on 230 snaps as an outside CB 178 times, and he logged 104 snaps as a safety. 108 came in the box and 13 on the defensive line.
After the draft, the Vikings released some of the annual footage from the draft war room, and the decision-makers also mentioned the slot position as a potential home for Ward: “That’s where I’m kinda leaning, Jay Ward,” Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said and added: “I think this guy could be a good nickel.” Kevin O’Connell responded: “[He’s a] classic Flo (Brian Flores) guy. They’ll find a home for him.”
Last season, Ward primarily starred on special teams. On defense, he registered 35 snaps, 17 of those came as a nickel cornerback, primarily late in the year when the cornerback group missed a few guys injured.
It remains to be seen if Ward will continue to work as a cornerback or if the team just wants to cross-train him to have the option to use him there at some point in the future and, if necessary, during games when a couple of players are getting hurt. Ward could be a valuable puzzle piece in the secondary.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Focus helped with this article.
Vikings Acquire One of Brian Flores’ Old Friends
Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt