Vikings Enter Draft Cycle With a Dream Target
The NFL Draft is only 62 days — just over two months — away. For the Vikings, it will be a crucial event for the franchise’s future, as the roster lacks some young talent on the squad.
Interim GM Rob Brzezinski could address all three levels of the defense, but also add a playmaker on offense. At this point, it’s anybody’s guess.
While listing every franchise’s dream draft prospect, Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport thinks the organization would be lucky to come out of the Draft with Texas corner Malik Muhammad.
He explained, “The Vikings were stout defensively in 2025, allowing fewer passing yards per game (158.5) than any team in the NFC. But the team has a potential issue on the back end—outside of Byron Murphy Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers, the team’s depth at the cornerback position is essentially non-existent.”
He’s not wrong to call that out. The cornerback position has been a problem during the entire 2020s. By parting ways with all the draftees — Akayleb Evans, Andrew Booth, Mekhi Blackmon — the Vikings don’t have any younger depth behind the two solid starters Isaiah Rodgers and Byron Murphy. That’s why the addition of some youth would be appreciated.
Davenport continued, “That should lead the Vikes to look to add a cornerback relatively early in this year’s draft, and Malik Muhammad of Texas could be an intriguing target on Day 2. A 6’0″ 188-pounder who spent the 2025 season matched up with opponents’ No. 1 receivers, Muhammad has it all—size, speed, athleticism, fluidity in coverage…you name it. He also has a background in track and basketball, which can’t hurt at a position that involves a fair amount of running, jumping and whatnot.”
Speculation about Minnesota’s 1st-round pick includes top corners Mansoor Delane (LSU), Jermod McCoy (Tennessee), and Avieon Terrell (Clemson), but if they aren’t available when the Vikings are on the clock or the decision-makers prefer to look for a different position, adding Muhammad on Day 2 should be on the table.
The corner from the University of Texas played in 41 college games over three seasons, collecting 97 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and 3 interceptions.
According to PFF, Muhammad was targeted 35 times in the past season, allowing 21 catches for 168 yards, a touchdown and a couple of picks. He is an outside cornerback with decent length but a leaner frame (6’0″, 188 lbs).
Under the watch of Brian Flores, the Vikings have targeted smaller corners. Neither Murphy, nor Rodgers, nor 2023 draft pick and now-Colts defender Blackmon have even average size for their position. Yet, they have done fairly well under the DC’s guidance. Muhammad would be the tallest of the bunch.
NFL Draft Buzz wrote about the young defensive back, “Muhammad brings immediate value as a defender who can contribute in multiple packages from day one. What jumps off the tape is his natural feel for route distributions and ability to process passing concepts – he sees the game unfold with veteran anticipation despite his youth.”
Youth is a good description, as Muhammad turned 21 in September.
Long-term roster planning also makes the position more urgent than it may appear on the surface. Murphy and Rodgers are reliable starters, but neither guarantees long-term stability beyond the next couple of seasons. Drafting a young corner on Day 2 would give the Vikings a developmental option in Flores’ system rather than forcing them to rely on short-term veteran solutions each offseason.
Davenport’s “dream target” label may be aspirational, but the underlying logic is sound given Minnesota’s long-term need at cornerback.
Even if he isn’t the flashiest name in the class, Muhammad checks several boxes the Vikings have quietly prioritized under Brian Flores: youth, versatility, and coverage instincts. In a draft where Minnesota must restock young talent, landing a developmental corner with starter upside on Day 2 could quietly become one of the smarter moves of their entire class.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.