If the Minnesota Vikings want to ace the early rounds of the draft, they’ll need to spend their first-round pick on a cornerback, according to ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr.
Kiper released his "Grade: A" three-round mock draft, picking prospects based on what’s best for each NFL team at each slot. With the 30th overall pick, Kiper has Minnesota selecting Iowa cornerback Josh Jackson.
Up until this point, Kiper has projected the Vikings to take an offensive lineman in the first round in all four of his mock drafts between offensive tackles Connor Williams (Mock 1.0), Geron Christian (2.0) and guard/center James Daniels (3.0 and 4.0). It makes sense -- Minnesota’s most pressing need surrounds the protection of Kirk Cousins and an O-line that will open holes for a run game that notched 1,957 rushing yards last season.
But adding depth to the secondary of the league’s No. 1 defense? That may take priority on April 26.
If the Vikings draft a cornerback at 30, it will be the fifth time they’ve taken a defensive back in the first or second round of the draft since 2012. Mackensie Alexander was the last high-draft pick Minnesota used at corner, selected 54th overall in the second round in 2016. The Vikings took Trae Waynes eleventh overall in 2015 and have until May 3 to pick up his fifth-year option.
Jackson is an intriguing prospect, considered by some to be the highest-graded cornerback in this draft class. He exploded onto the scene during his redshirt junior season at Iowa, finishing 2017 as college football’s interceptions leader with eight, including two that were returned for touchdowns. He had 27 passes defended.
He doesn’t have a ton of experience at the position, which may cause some teams to pass over the projected first-rounder. Jackson only started one year in the Big Ten after coaches struggled to find his best fit early on between cornerback and receiver. Another big question surrounding Jackson is whether he has first-round speed. He ran a 4.56-second 40-yard dash at the combine and only slightly improved that time to 4.52 seconds at his pro day.
What he does have is size (6-foot-1, 192 pounds) and athleticism. The ballhawk label is a perfect fit for Jackson, who allowed a three percent completion rate on passes thrown into his coverage and has shown high-level instincts and route anticipation needed to play corner at an elite level.
As the Vikings shift their focus from free agency towards the draft, the franchise is actively searching for help at cornerback.
Terence Newman may or may not return for his 16th NFL season at age 40. Coming off one of the best seasons of his career , when he registered 555 snaps, Newman expressed a desire to continue playing in 2018 but has not re-signed with the Vikings or inked a deal elsewhere.
The biggest question mark in Minnesota’s secondary is at the nickel corner position that Newman occupied last season. If he does indeed return for another year, the Vikings will need to determine whether Newman will stay at nickel corner or move to a reserve role as a rotational defensive back given his experience at corner and safety. Alexander showed signs of improvement last season and could be next in line at nickel corner despite losing the role to Newman last preseason.
On Tuesday, Minnesota hosted former 49ers CB Dontae Johnson on a free-agent visit. Johnson left the Twin Cities without signing a contract and he later agreed to a deal with the Seahawks.
The versatile 2014 fourth-round pick played outside corner, nickel corner and safety at NC State. Should the two parties agree to a deal at a later date, Johnson would add depth and competition in Minnesota’s secondary.
Johnson started all 16 games in 2017 for the first time in his career but struggled in an expanded role. Pro Football Focus graded Johnson 118th among all NFL cornerbacks after he allowed 56 catches on 86 targets for 781 yards and five touchdowns.
In contrast, ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay has the Vikings taking Pitt cornerback Avonte Maddox with their third-round pick.
To see Kiper's projected second and third round picks for the Vikings (where they'll address the O-line needs), read his full mock draft here.