The Minnesota Vikings doubled down on their efforts to boost the defensive backfield by kicking off the last two days of the 2022 NFL draft with selections at cornerback.
Granted, the team made some noteworthy moves in free agency, including re-signing Patrick Peterson and agreeing to a deal with slot corner Chandon Sullivan. But those two moves alone were never going to be good enough to stop opposing quarterbacks from torching the backend of their defense.
The ability to formulate some sort of resistance in the secondary is the key to unlocking the entire defense for the Vikings in 2022. If defensive backs can consistently hold up in coverage, it’ll give more time for Ed Donatell’s pass-rushing hounds to unleash pain and misery on opposing offenses up front.
The injection of youth wasn’t just needed at safety, where the team now has Harrison Smith, Lewis Cine and Camryn Bynum surveying the backfield. It was much-needed at cornerback as well.