Tag: Mekhi Blackmon

Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell gives injury update on CB Shaq Griffin

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell provided the media with an injury update on cornerback Shaq Griffin after Thursday’s practice.

A day after receiving a slew of bad news on the injury front, the Minnesota Vikings followed it up with a day of much-needed good news. Yesterday, both Jordan Addison and Blake Cashman were injured in practices with the Cleveland Browns, and Minnesota learned that rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy was out for the season after knee surgery.

Thursday, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell was able to give the media and Vikings fans some good news, instead. Along with the news that Addison had avoided major injury and that Cashman would be back soon after getting surgery on his finger, O’Connell also provided an update on injured cornerback Shaq Griffin.

Griffin suffered a leg injury three weeks ago during practice and was later determined to have a “soft tissue” injury. That injury occurred just a day after fellow cornerback Mekhi Blackmon was lost for the season with a torn ACL, so getting good news on this front is desperately needed. Minnesota was already thin at the position. They could hardly stand to be without one of their starters to begin the season.

That won’t be the case, as O’Connell updated his injury status, saying Griffin will be ready for the start of the season.

Eerie parallels between LSU’s new defensive coordinator and Alex Grinch

LSU is placing a lot of faith in its corners and safeties in ways which offer a parallel with Alex Grinch. This could get interesting.

USC plays LSU in Week 1, as you know. LSU Wire recently posed a concern about the Tigers’ young cornerbacks’ ability to hold up in man coverage in new defensive coordinator Blake Baker’s scheme. There’s a parallel with Alex Grinch involved. Here’s what LSU Wire had to say:

New defensive coordinator Blake Baker will play an aggressive style of defense. That could put stress on an inexperienced secondary, specifically LSU’s group of cornerbacks.

At Missouri, Baker had two of the best corners in the SEC with Kris Abrams-Draine and Ennis Rakestraw. Both playing at an elite level was a big reason why Missouri’s defense was among the best in the country.

Now at LSU, Baker has the talent, but it’s unproven. Ashton Stamps looks to be LSU’s top corner right now. As a true freshman last year, he played 51 snaps in man coverage, Stamps struggled, allowing a perfect NFL passer rating of 158.3, according to PFF.

LSU is boosted by the return of CB Zy Alexander, but his season was cut short by injury last year and the ramp up this summer has been slow. Ohio State transfer JK Johnson is set to see time too, but he’s also returning from injury after missing the entirety of 2023.

For LSU to take the needed step forward, at least one of these guys needs to emerge as an SEC-level player in man coverage.

This should make the hair on the back of Trojan fans’ necks stand up. One of the fatal flaws of Alex Grinch’s defense was the pressure it applied to the corners and safeties, often placing them on an island.  If the pass rush doesn’t get home, it puts a lot of pressure on the secondary.  In 2022 Mekhi Blackmon was a first-team All-Pac-12 cornerback, but without him in 2023, the USC defense was much more susceptible to chunk plays.

The Trojans’ strength on offense is at wide receiver, led by the talented second-year wide receivers Makai Lemon, Ja’Kobi Lane, Duce Robinson and Zachariah Branch. Lincoln Riley and his receivers might make the Tigers pay if they have unproven cornerbacks cover them in man defense on the outside.  Look for Riley and Miller Moss to try to capitalize on one on one matchups outside that favor the Trojans.

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NFC North watch: Vikings CB suffers torn ACL in first practice

Blackmon was being counted on as the Vikings No. 3 CB in his second season

Unfortunate injury news for a division rival of the Lions as Minnesota Vikings cornerback Mekhi Blackmon suffered a torn ACL during the team’s first day of practice Wednesday. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported the news.

Blackmon appeared in 15 games and started three as a rookie last season. Blackmon recorded 41 tackles (34 solo) and an interception with eight passes defended. The Vikings selected Blackmon in the third round of the 2023 draft out of USC.

This likely prompts the Vikings to be in the market for a cornerback for depth behind Byron Murphy and recently signed Shaq Griffin.

Vikings lose CB Mekhi Blackmon for season with torn ACL

Wednesday, the Minnesota Vikings started training camp ahead of the 2024 season. It was later revealed Mekhi Blackmon suffered a torn ACL.

On Wednesday, the Minnesota Vikings started training camp ahead of the 2024 season. Shortly after that, they had already suffered their first season-ending injury of the year.

Cornerback Mekhi Blackmon went down early in practice and was down for a while. It turns out it was due to a torn ACL. NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero reported and confirmed the injury.

Blackmon was expected to be one of the Vikings’ starters in their already thin cornerback room. He had a great coverage grade of 71.8 from PFF, and the second-year defender was expected to build upon it. Now, with his injury, the team is going to be relying upon free agent signee Duke Shelley and UDFA signee Dwight McGlothern more than they expected.

Blackmon took to social media to let everyone know he was okay and that it “God got me.”

While Blackmon rehabs from his injuries, the team will be expected to sign or acquire someone to strengthen the defensive back group. No matter who they potentially bring in, missing out on Blackmon’s development in year two will set the defense back at least a year.

He found a lot of success with defensive coordinator Brian Flores, perhaps year three they can build momentum once again.

Mekhi Blackmon labeled a potential breakout candidate by PFN

Minnesota Vikings cornerback Mekhi Blackmon has been named a potential breakout candidate for the 2024 season by Tony Catalina of PFN.

The Minnesota Vikings’ defense was much improved over the 2023 season compared to the 2022 squad. The defensive scheme Brian Flores has employed with the team seems to have clicked and is starting to pay dividends. But the squad heads into the 2024 season with some significant questions on the defense, particularly in the cornerback room.

The Vikings signed former Jacksonville Jaguars and Seattle Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin in the off-season in the hopes that he can bolster the cornerback corps, return to his former Pro Bowl form, and provide some veteran leadership and mentorship for their rookie third-round pick, Khyree Jackson.

But another former third-round pick has caught the eye of some during mini-camps. Pro Football Network’s Tony Catalina examined every team heading into training camp and identified one potential breakout player from each. For the Vikings, Catalina’s pick is Mekhi Blackmon.

The Vikings entered the offseason with question marks at the CB position, and as the season creeps close, they still have some of those questions. However, Blackmon hopes to be the answer for them, and those around the team believe he can be. The young DB has a chance to make a name for himself in 2024 and solidify a unit that needs it.

Blackmon had an up-and-down start to his Vikings career in his rookie campaign of 2023. He had some solid stats, with 43 tackles, three tackles for loss, seven passes defended, and a fumble recovery. On the flip side, Blackmon could only garner three starts as a rookie even on a team that struggled at the position.

If Blackmon can step up in his sophomore season and become a reliable cover corner for the team, it would go a long way toward making the Vikings’ defense one of the best units in the league.

PFF places Mekhi Blackmon on 2024 All-Breakout Team

Pro Football Focus named the Vikings corner on its 2024 All-Breakout Team after a solid rookie year last fall.

The Vikings went out and signed Shaq Griffin to compete for a starting job in 2024 alongside Byron Murphy. But Minnesota also has a few younger guys, like Mekhi Blackmon, who are competing for playing time and a larger role.

Pro Football Focus recently released its 2024 All-Breakout Team, and Blackmon was the lone Viking on the list.

The former USC Trojan had a nice rookie campaign, posting a 71.8 PFF coverage grade after joining the Vikings as a third-round draft pick. He allowed just 28 receptions and had a combined nine pass breakups and interceptions from 329 coverage snaps in 2023.

Blackmon played in all 17 games during his rookie season and started three at the corner position. He finished the year with 44 tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks.

Blackmon will be battling with Akayleb Evans for that third cornerback role on Brian Flores’ defense. If the Vikings can continue to count on guys like Evans and Blackmon, the Minnesota secondary should be in a good place for years to come.

Mekhi Blackmon approves of new teammate Khyree Jackson

Last year, the Vikings found a potential diamond in round three of the 2024 NFL Draft. They may have found another in the 2024 class.

Last year, the Minnesota Vikings found a potential diamond in round three of the 2024 NFL Draft. That diamond still needs some polish, but Mekhi Blackmon is looking for the part after being drafted out of USC.

Now Blackmon is seeing the team draft another defensive back in round three the following year, and he has given his stamp of approval.

In a post on his Instagram story, Blackmon shared a clip showing him enjoying highlight reels of the former Oregon Duck. Throughout the clip, he can be heard laughing and giving various approval points, showcasing his excitement over his new teammate.

Blackmon came in as a rookie and broke up eight passes while securing one interception in the process. He also tallied 41 tackles while also securing one fumble recovery. If the Vikings get that same type of rookie year out of Khyree Jackson then this secondary may see itself taking a turn.

Grading the Minnesota Vikings’ 2023 rookie draft class

With their rookie seasons under their belt, let’s revisit the Minnesota Vikings’ 2023 NFL draft and hand out some rookie grades.

The 2023 season for the Minnesota Vikings was the ultimate rollercoaster ride. Not even just week-to-week, but seemingly quarter-by-quarter and even series-to-series. You never knew what you were going to get from this iteration of the Vikings on any given day, and it made for some wild moments.

The season may not have ended the way the team, or the fans, wanted, but that disappointment shouldn’t overshadow the many good things that happened this year, least of all the many great contributions from the team’s rookie class.

There are a number of different ways to build a successful franchise in the NFL, but still the prevailing thought process is that it’s best to utilize the draft to build your base, and to supplement that base through free agency, trades, and the like.

Over the past few years, the Vikings have used the draft well to build up their base, including nabbing arguably the best wide receiver in football just a few short years ago when taking Justin Jefferson.

That success in the NFL draft continued in 2023, with the Vikings getting some major contributions from a number of their selections. Perhaps even more impressive, arguably their best rookie this season came in the form of someone who wasn’t drafted at all – instead being a true diamond-in-the-rough as an undrafted free agent.

With that as our backdrop, let’s revisit the 2023 Minnesota Vikings NFL draft class and hand out some grades now that their first season is officially behind them.

2023 season: Minnesota Vikings rookie of the year

Who was the Minnesota Vikings rookie of the year? Our staff made their picks

The 2023 National Football League season is over for the Minnesota Vikings and now it’s time to reflect on what was and what could have been.

The Vikings had quite the roller coaster ride this season. After starting 1-4, they lost wide receiver Justin Jefferson and went on a five-game winning streak and won six out of their next eight games. They ultimately lost their final four to finish the season 7-10.

As we reflect back on the season that was for the Vikings, we as a staff took a look at it in multiple ways by handing out awards in different categories.

Here are our choices for Vikings rookie of the year.

2 Vikings make PFF’s all-rookie team

Blackmon and Pace Jr. made the PFF all rookie team

After a poor showing from the 2022 rookie class, the 2023 class for the Minnesota Vikings performed significantly better. They even had two of their players make the Pro Football Focus all rookie team in cornerback Mekhi Blackmon and inside linebacker Ivan Pace Jr.

PFF’s Dalton Wasserman had nice things to say about both Pace and Blackmon but especially the former.

One of two undrafted players on this list, Pace has been the perfect fit for Brian Flores’ defense in Minnesota. His 77.2 overall PFF grade leads all qualified rookie linebackers and ranks 17th in the league.

Pace’s trademark blitzing ability has carried over from his days at the University of Cincinnati. His 22.9% pass-rush win rate is the second highest among 85 linebackers with at least 20 pass-rush snaps this season.

It’s amazing how well Pace played as an undrafted free agent but he came into the right place with Brian Flores as the defensive coordinator. He knows how to use players with unique skill sets and maximizes them.

Blackmon was drafted in the third round and thrived in the system. He finished third among rookie cornerbacks in coverage grade at 71.7. With the Vikings struggles at the position, hitting on Blackmon was a big win.

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