The Vikings will have some new, and young, faces at cornerback in 2020.
Gone are Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander. The Vikings will rely on third-year players Mike Hughes and Holton Hill, along with rookies Jeff Gladney and Cam Dantzler.
A huge help for these young players has been the safety duo of Harrison Smith and Anthony Harris.
Per ESPN’s Courtney Cronin, the communication from those two has really helped the younger corners, especially Dantzler.
Rookie Cam Dantzler said safeties Harrison Smith and Anthony Harris have been "phenomenal" to younger cornerbacks. "They communicate and they make me communicate. They make sure we’re on the same page. They really make my job so much easier when I’m out there with them."
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) August 23, 2020
Smith and Harris are two of the best safeties in the NFL and having them behind these young corners is a huge safety net for Mike Zimmer’s defense.
Even so, most are expecting the Vikings’ secondary to fall off in 2020. However, it’s not like the three corners the Vikings are losing were anything special in 2019.
Rhodes ranked 109 among corners in 2019 per Pro Football Focus Waynes ranked 48th and Alexander 51st.
These young players will surely have some hiccups, but what saved Minnesota’s secondary in 2019 still remains.