Trae Waynes, CB, Minnesota Vikings
Xavier Rhodes might not be the only defensive back leaving the Minnesota Vikings. Safety Anthony Harris will be an enticing option on the free agency market, and then there is Trae Waynes. Another first round selection by the Vikings, picked 11th overall in the 2015 NFL Draft, Waynes has endured a somewhat spotty time in the NFC North. Waynes, in fact, alluded to such recently on Instagram, posting an image of him and Rhodes with the caption “29 where we goin fam.”
Waynes was reportedly on the trading block last season, but the Vikings did not find a suitor and he remained in Minnesota for the 2019 campaign. He started 14 games for the Vikings, notching a single interception and eight pass breakups.
Similar to the discussion with Rhodes, Waynes also might be better suited for a more aggressive, man coverage scheme in the secondary. Prior to last season, PFF noted that “[i]n man coverage, Waynes has allowed a 55.6% catch rate and a passer rating of 68.0 en route to a 70.5 coverage grade. From a zone shell, Waynes has allowed a 63.6% catch rate and a 97.8 passer rating en route to a 53.7 coverage grade.” The Vikings were in zone coverage on 55% of their 2018 defensive snaps.
His man coverage prowess continued into 2019. Even with the low interception numbers, Waynes was at his best when in man technique, allowing just 71 yards receiving on 134 man coverage snaps according to PFF’s charting.
Moving to a scheme better suited for his man coverage abilities would put Waynes in a position to excel in 2020.