Charles Demmings Could Be the Next ‘Guy’
With the 163rd selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings drafted CB Charles Demmings out of Stephen F. Austin University.
The Vikings acquired the 163rd pick before the beginning of the 2026 NFL season. Minnesota traded QB Sam Howell to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for what turned out to be 163rd overall selection in 2026, and a 2027 seventh round selection. The Vikings also sent what would end up being the 211th overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Minnesota was heavily linked to Clemson CB Avieon Terrell heading into the draft at 18th overall. The Vikings, of course, would end up selecting Florida DT Caleb Banks with that pick, but would end up addressing the secondary at 98th overall when they selected Miami safety Jakobe Thomas. Fast forward a day and some picks later, and the Minnesota Vikings landed Charles Demmings.
Charles Demmings is Low Risk, High Reward
The later you get into the NFL draft, the more you can afford to take some shots on your late-round gems. Demmings was one of those for the Vikings, and he was also one for yours truly as well.
Many overlooked Demmings just because of the school that he attended. Stephen F. Austin is a D1 program in the FCS, meaning the competition wasn’t the greatest. However, that shouldn’t take away from his raw ability.
Demmings is a big and physical cornerback that Brian Flores would love. This is obvious since the Demmings pick likely had a lot of input from Flo. He has very long arms, and enough speed to run with some of the NFL’s fastest downfield. His best reps will likely come in man coverage, as his speed and physicality enable him to be able to bear down on receivers on their breaks. His zone coverage instincts are a bit lacking, as some of the natural feel for jumping routes while in it just isn’t quite there right now.
While his hips are very fluid and he possesses good body control, Demmings can wait a bit too long to make his hip declaration. This is something that could make him a bit easy to expose for wide receivers at the professional level. Charles Demmings is a very raw prospect, and it is most-likely that he is a long-term project for Brian Flores.
Still, he has all of the tools that could one day lead him to be a franchise cornerstone for the Minnesota Vikings. It’s a franchise that has shown an inability to draft and develop a cornerback, so if they’re able to do so with Charles Demmings as a fifth round pick out of an FCS school, it would be pretty shocking but also completely on brand for the Vikings.
Charles Demmings in the Vikings CB Room
Charles Demmings is likely to be a bit buried initially on the Vikings’ depth chart at corner. Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers Sr., and James Pierre are set in stone as the top three in the room. It’s also not out of the question that the Vikings go out and sign another corner at some point later this offseason.
In the best case scenario, Demmings could get a look at the CB4 role. His main competition for that would be Dwight McGlothern. No disrespect to McGlothern, but that mountain feels climbable. Even getting the CB4 would be a win, as he would likely get some reps at corner as well as special teams.
Vikings fans, you should get used to hearing the name Charles Demmings. I first heard about him earlier this year from good buddy and frequent Skolcial Network guest Dominic Stage when Demmings was completely unheard of. Minnesota might have gotten themselves a diamond in the rough at a position in which they’ve not been rich.
