Charles Demmings is the Future CB1 of the Minnesota Vikings
I know it sounds crazy to claim that a fifth-rounder cornerback out of a small school is the future face of the position for the Vikings, but Charles Demmings just might be that guy.
Myself and my great friend that’s like a brother to me, Dominic Stage, have been pounding the table for Charles Demmings since he was basically unheard of early on in the draft process. Dominic has been on him longer than me, as he’s actually the person that put me on to Charles Demmings in the first place. We went to the 2026 NFL Draft together in Pittsburgh, and we stayed for the first two days of the event. On our way back on the third day, we listened to the draft on the sound system of his Dodge RAM, which helped fill the 3 or 4 hour drive back to his homestead in Maryland.
Dominic is a Steelers fan, so of course he wanted Charles Demmings to be called upon by his favorite football team to join their efforts for a Super Bowl run in the Steel City. Well, I was looking at my phone and accidentally got the pick spoiled where the Vikings selected Demmings, to which I snapped my bad neck over at him and began laughing and yelling with joy. It was the type of outburst that you shouldn’t direct at someone that’s operating a vehicle, but I couldn’t hold it in. After all of the public backing on social media and on shows that we had done together for someone that people had just started becoming privy to, he was on my team.
I still rub it in Dominic’s face and I will for a long time, especially after Demmings ascends to being the CB1 of the Minnesota Vikings a bit down the road.
Charles Demmings Has a Great Foundation to Build Upon
“What is this guy talking about, Demmings is just another fifth-round CB from a small school that might not even be on the team this year!”
I knew you’d say that, so I come to you offering a sales pitch,
Charles Demmings is an athletic and physical corner with the frame and natural ability to blossom into the Vikings’ CB1 a little bit later into his NFL career. He possesses fluid hips, and is a weapon in press-man, something Brian Flores will absolutely take advantage of. Sure, he didn’t play great competition during his time at Stephen F. Austin, but that doesn’t change the fact that his God-given abilities are something that a defensive coordinator as good as Flores can build upon. The Vikings are also the same team that saw Adam Thielen from Minnesota State have runs as a top-5 WR in the NFL.
Consider some of Demmings’ strengths from NFLDRAFTBUZZ:
- Finds the ball consistently; nine career picks because his eyes go to the right place.
- Hips are smooth and quiet out of his backpedal, stays square through the break.
- Has the speed to carry vertical routes and recover when he gives a step at the stem.
- Uses his length well to squeeze receivers toward the sideline and shrink throwing windows.
- Tackled much better as a senior; wrapped up cleanly and cut out the arm-reaching.
- Closes hard to the catch point and gets his hands into the receiver’s pocket to disrupt.
- Good size for an outside corner with enough vertical pop to contest above the rim.
Charles Demmings in 2026
In 2026, Demmings will probably have a lighter role, but he will still get snaps. I fully expect Demmings to be the CB4 behind Murphy Jr., Rodgers Sr., and Pierre. This means that Demmings would get a decent little amount of reps on the field. There will also likely be reps for Demmings on special teams as a gunner.
Demmings has all the tools to become a starter one day, and Minnesota got him in the fifth round. Sure, it’s a long shot to predict something as crazy as this, but I don’t think it’s that crazy. When you do this job, you have to choose your hills, and this seems like a nice one to die on.
