Come Heck or High Water, Vikings Commit to Specific Outcome at CB3
Football is a matchup sport. Every coach should understand that reality; very few will understand that reality better than Brian Flores, affectionately referred to as “The Mad Scientist.”
Presumably with some input from Coach Flores, the Vikings committed to ensuring the third corner is a long-and-strong player. A similar effort arrived last year with the addition of Jeff Okudah. Mostly due to injury, the former Lion didn’t work out. What’s taking place now is a heartier investment toward a specific type of corner.
Vikings Commit to Long-and-Strong CB3
In all likelihood, free agent addition James Pierre will be the name to know. At 29, Pierre’s career is likely closer to the end than the beginning, but his early NFL seasons didn’t include hearty workloads. Do his legs and lungs have more vitality than a lot of corners in their late-20s since he hasn’t shouldered a huge burden?
During the 2025 season, Pierre played in fourteen games for the Steelers, starting five. He offered 30 tackles, 1 interception, 11 passes defended, and 1 fumble recovery. PFR’s advanced stats indicate that Pierre kept opposing quarterbacks to a combined 41.4 passer rating, largely due to just 42.9% of passes into his coverage being completed.
Pierre boasts nice upside even as somebody who will turn 30 in September. He stands at 6’2″ and weighs 185 pounds.
Next up would be Chuck Demmings, the small school corner with massive personality. A super funny guy, Demmings offers nice compete and physicality along the outside alongside a history of working from within multiple different coverages. Putting too much on a 5th-Round rookie likely isn’t wise, but he’s got tons of potential. Again, note the size: he’s listed at 6’1″ and 193 pounds.
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Third-year corner Dwight McGlothern and sophomore corner Zemaiah Vaughn are both UDFA adds who have stuck around, either on the roster or the practice squad. McGlothern is listed at 6’2″ and 185 pounds; Vaughn comes in at 6’3″ and 180 pounds.
Some of the most recent UDFA adds fit the profile, as well. Marcus Allen boasts a sturdy build as somebody who stands at 6’1″ while weighing close to 200 pounds. De’Veawn Armstead is 6’1″ and 183 pounds.
Clearly, the Vikings have been prioritizing size with the recent additions at corner.
In Byron Murphy Jr., the Vikings boast a low-end CB1 who offers the versatility that’s so valued in the Twin Cities. He allows the team to matchup since he can move with receivers who motion before the snap. Travelling into the slot doesn’t scare him.
In Isaiah Rodgers, the Vikings boast a solid CB2 who has remarkable speed. Nobody should be able to outrun him, allowing him to roll with the track star receivers who threaten to take the roof off a defense. He’s a nice piece of the puzzle.
What would bring the group into a good spot is somebody who can thrive within bully ball along the outside. Hanging with guys like Mike Evans, Christian Watson, and D.K. Metcalf isn’t easy. Being able to lean on some brawn makes life easier for Coach Flores.
The Vikings are working through OTAs. Essentially, class on the grass. Seeing the on-field competition intensify in training camp will be when some of these larger corners get to shine.
