Dwight McGlothern – Syndication Server

Four Vikings make PFF’s All-Rookie preseason team

They recently published their All-Rookie team selections, and the Minnesota Vikings were heavily represented.

The 2024 NFL preseason has wrapped up, allowing for some reflection now as we are just a week away from the regular season kicking off. Pro Football Focus is one of the many sites and outlets offering some reflection. They recently published their All-Rookie team selections, and the Minnesota Vikings were heavily represented.

Four Vikings made the list for PFF, three of whom were undrafted free agents.

The four players who made the cut were kicker Will Reichard, linebacker Dallas Gant, cornerback Dwight McGlothern, and defensive lineman Taki Taimani. All four proved pivotal to the team’s success during the preseason, and with three of them being UDFAs, this speaks to the front office.

The Vikings drafted kicker Will Reichard, which surprised some people, but for a franchise that has had so much turmoil at the position, the gamble has paid off. As for the other three defensive coordinator Brian Flores has been masterful in using all three dynamically and has maximized their skillset.

We can expect them all to find further success when their season kicks off in 10 days against the Giants.

Minnesota Vikings beat writer believes team will trade Akayleb Evans

With roster cutdown day just a day away, will the Minnesota Vikings look to trade cornerback Akayleb Evans? One beat writer thinks so.

Tomorrow is the official roster cutdown deadline in the NFL. By tomorrow afternoon, every team in the league needs to have their roster trimmed down from 90 players to the 53-man roster. A lot of that player movement has already occurred, but a lot of movement has yet to happen. And that movement doesn’t necessarily just mean players being waived or released.

Trades are a real possibility as teams look to get a return on players they would otherwise cut, and other teams look to add players without competing with the entire league on the free-agent market. For the Minnesota Vikings, one of those players who could be enticing trade bait is cornerback Akayleb Evans.

According to Alec Lewis, Minnesota Vikings beat writer for The Athletic, it’s likely that the Vikings are looking to trade the third-year corner. Trading Evans would free up a roster spot for someone like Dwight McGlothern, who has been was a standout during training camp and the preseason.

More than allowing a talented young player a shot at the roster, though, if the Vikings can flip Evans for a late-round draft pick, it could improve their flexibility going into the 2025 NFL Draft. As things stand today, the Vikings only have three picks in the upcoming draft. They’re likely to receive a compensatory pick for free agents lost, but those have yet to be announced.

Flipping Evans for a draft pick would help the team feel slightly better about their lot going into the draft, and give them a bit more ability to maneuver during it. It’s still not much, but it’s a start. And that could be further improved if the team looks to, and is successful in, trading fellow defensive back Lewis Cine.

The Athletic predicts two UDFA players making the Vikings final roster

There might be two UDFAs making the Vikings 53-man roster according to The Athletic.

With the Vikings’ preseason officially over after their win against the Eagles on Saturday, Minnesota will have to start making some tough decisions. The 53-man roster is looming, and the Vikings will need to figure out who they want to keep from their exceptional UDFA class.

According to The Athletic’s Alec Lewis, he has two UDFAs making Minnesota’s 53-man roster.

Lewis sees both cornerback Dwight McGlothern and defensive lineman Taki Taimani making the roster. McGlothern, the Arkansas product, was sensational for the Vikings this preseason. He had six tackles and took an interception 91 yards. While he may not crack the cornerback rotation, he will play a part on the special teams unit if he makes the team.

Taimani, the former Oregon Duck, also had a great preseason. The Vikings’ interior depth is light, and Taimani showed up when he got his chance, finishing with 10 tackles. Minnesota could use Taimani’s strength.

Lewis also sees Edge rusher Gabriel Murphy making the team but being put on the IR to begin the season.

Vikings defense shines through joint practices with Cleveland Browns

Heading into their second preseason game of the year, the Minnesota Vikings defense has the wind in their sails.

Heading into their second preseason game of the year, the Minnesota Vikings defense has the wind in their sails. The offense has been the talking point all week for the team with the discussion being around injured rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

After two joint practices with the Cleveland Browns, the defense has gained momentum heading into the game between the two teams.

Dane Mizutani of The Pioneer Press reported that the Vikings’ defense was “very impressive” against the Browns. Whether it was the first or second-team units, the Vikings’ defense did very well against the Browns’ offense led by Deshaun Watson and Amari Cooper.

The secondary will remain a big question mark, but Dwight McGlothern’s play, a pick-6 on Winston, gave the defense a big boost. Another rookie in Dallas Turner was getting in on the fun by getting in the backfield and had sacked Watson at one point.

The defense will have its work cut out for it in 2024, as the pressure is on. Their journey as a unit with those expectations begins on Saturday.

McGlothern signs with Vikings, with something to prove

Gotta be honest, a little surprised McGlothern wasn’t selected in the draft.

Arkansas cornerback Dwight McGlothern was the most likely Razorbacks player to go in the NFL Draft who was not selected.

Instead, McGlothern signed with the Minnesota Vikings after the draft’s conclusion and undoubtedly will seek to prove his worth as one of 17 players the Vikes signed.

McGlothern played two seasons with the Razorbacks, both of which were All-SEC caliber. In those two years, McGlothern had 72 tackles, seven interceptions and 16 pass break-ups. The latter two statistics led the Razorbacks in the span.

He was one of four Arkansas players to sign deals after the draft resulted in just two former Hogs being selected. Kicker Cam Little went to the Jaguars and offensive lineman Beaux Limmer was taken by the Rams. Both went in the sixth round.

McGlothern played opposite Jaylen Braxton at cornerback for the Razorbacks in 2023. During spring camp, Braxton kept his starting gig, while McGlothern’s was largely split between Snaxx Johnson, Kee’yon Stewart and Jaheim Singletary. Johnson subsequently entered the transfer portal.

These five Hogs are headed to the NFL combine

The last time Arkansas did not have a player taken in the NFL Draft? It was 1995.

The last time an Arkansas football player was not taken in the NFL Draft, the Tennessee Titans were still the Houston Oilers in 1995.

The streak should continue in 2024, especially as five (former?) Arkansas players were invited to the 2024 NFL Draft combine this week. Offensive linemen Beaux Limmer and Brady Latham, kicker Cam Little, defensive end Trajan Jeffcoat and cornerback Dwight McGlothern will all take part in front of dozens of pro teams ahead of the April draft.

Little is the highest rated of the bunch, though that doesn’t mean he stands the best chance at being drafted. Kickers are not in high demand in the draft typically. Little, however, should be taken as he is rated the top kicker in the whole draft, per ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr.

Limmer, who can play center and guard, is also rated in the top 10 at his position (in this case, center). Latham, who can also play both positions, may very well be taken nearby.

McGlothern and Jeffcoat were both transfers from elsewhere in the SEC. Jeffcoat played one season with Arkansas after arriving from Missouri, while McGlothern played two seasons in Fayetteville upon leaving LSU.

The combine will be held from Feb. 26 to March 4 and the draft itself is April 25-27.

Arkansas loses best cornerback to NFL Draft

Dwight McGlothern could have had one more season of college football, but will turn pro, instead.

Dwight McGlothern could have had one more season of college football.

Instead, Arkansas’ No. 1 cornerback declared for the NFL Draft.

“As a senior this past year, I enjoyed every second of being with teammates who will be my lifelong friends,” McGlothern wrote on Twitter. “I am excited to start the next chapter of my life and the challenge of preparing for the NFL Draft.”

McGlothern played two seasons for Arkansas after transferring from LSU. He recorded seven interceptions and 72 tackles during his career with the Razorbacks. McGlothern was a preseason All-SEC selection, but injuries limited him to just nine games in 2023 and he accepted an invite to play in the East-West Shrine Bowl in February in hopes of improving his NFL stock.

Arkansas will return sophomore Jaylen Braxton, who developed into a starter in part because of McGlothern’s injuries and top reserves Kee’yon Stewart and Jaheim Singletary will also be back for the Razorbacks.

Thankful FOR IT ALL BLESSED THANK EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTED ME THIS SEASON VERY THANKFUL FOR THE TIMES !!! pic.twitter.com/Yfyzj1281f

— Dwight McGlothern Jr (@nudiemcglothern) December 21, 2023

How former LSU transfers fared around the country in 2023

Here’s how former LSU players performed at their new homes in 2023.

LSU’s been heavily involved in the transfer portal the last few years, with several players coming and going.

The coaching change in 2021 led to a exodus of quite a few players and LSU lost another chunk in the portal last year.

Some became stars at their new stop, such as cornerback [autotag]Dwight McGlothern[/autotag], who excelled at Arkansas. On the other hand, some guys are still waiting for their chance, despite hoping their new destination would offer that new opportunity.

As the portal cycle gets underway again this year, let’s check on a few of the players who exited LSU in recent years.

Players of the Game: Jefferson, Little headline Arkansas’ best in Hogs win

It’s safe to say Kenny Guiton’s first game as Arkansas’ offensive coordinator was a success.

KJ Jefferson had the game-winning touchdown pass in overtime. Cam Little kicked four field goals.

Arkansas’ quarterback and kicker were, accordingly, easy choices as RazorbacksWire Players of the Game in Arkansas’ 39-36 win over Florida on Saturday. A win, by the way, that snapped a six-game losing streak and gave the program its first-ever victory in Gainesville.

Jefferson and Little were hardly the only players that shined, though. New offensive coordinator Kenny Guiton’s offense was dynamic througout, especially as it had a healthy Rocket Sanders at running back.

On defense, Arkansas has had better games this year, but the defensive backs were especially aggressive, providing a showcase for Dwight McGlothern, Jaylen Braxton and Snaxx Johnson.

In all, we have five Players of the Game, but on a day like Saturday, to say it was a team effort is wholly accurate.