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If you scroll back through this week’s stories (or click on the 2010 offseason category on the right side of the page) you’ll see that I’ve given a preview for college prospects of what I think are the Vikings top two needs:  quarterback and safety.

I have cornerback down as the Vikings next biggest need.  Some people may not agree with this, so here is my justification for why I have cornerback so high on my list of offseason needs.  First, Karl Paymah and Benny Sapp will be free agents this year.  It is possible the Vikings bring one or both back, but I suspect they’d like to find an upgrade instead of maintaining the business as usual attitude towards this position.

Another reason for the Vikings to possibly make an effort to try and find a top notch corner has to do with Antoine Winfield’s recent contract extension.  If Winfield gets surpassed on the depth chart and becomes our nickel corner, then his contract and cap hit essentially gets cut in half.  So, that is some long term financial incentive to find a new starter to play opposite of Cedric Griffin.  Also, Winfield playing in the nickel spot would be preferable, as that is where he is at his bet.  It allows him a better chance to help out against the run and also to rush the passer on blitz packages.

Finding a top notch corner in free agency is also an option.  As of this posting, Fabian Washington and Dunta Robinson appear to be the best options available.  I tend to think the Vikings would rather solve this problem via the draft, however.  Whether or not the Vikings staff thinks Asher Allen is a future starter remains to be seen, but they have not shown much faith in him thus far in the season.

Here is a look at the top corner prospects (in my opinion) that could be entering the 2010 draft.  As my usual warning goes, please understand that these rankings are extremely premature and lots can, and will, change before the draft.  This is just for fun.

Also, the rankings are based on what the Vikings need, so while some players may be better than others, I’m going to rank corners that fit the Vikings scheme higher than those that do not.  The same goes for the earlier posts on quarterbacks and safeties.

Here you go:

 

  1. Joe Haden, Florida – Here we have a corner who may draw a lot of comparisons to Antoine Winfield himself as we draw closer to the draft.  Slightly undersized (5’ 11” and about 190 lbs), Haden shows the speed, acceleration, and willingness to sacrifice his body that we’ve enjoyed so much from Winfield over the years.  Haden only has 6 interceptions, 2 sacks, and 1 forced fumble throughout his entire career at Florida but much of that may have to do with teams avoiding him.  Where his true value comes is in his tackling ability, which is something the Vikings appreciate more than perhaps any other team out of their cornerbacks.  Haden has 129 solo tackles in two and a half years… which is incredible.  Given that Haden does a decent job at the combine, the Vikings almost certainly would have to trade into the top 15 to snag this prospect.
  2. Ras-I Dowling, Virginia – I want to start by saying that Dowling is a project.  He needs to be coached by a better staff than he got in college in order to get the small things down.  That being said, Dowling has the physical tools and instincts to be an elite corner.  He stands at 6’ 2” but can still match the speed of a wide out.  He’s solid in press coverage and recognizing when he can make a run stop.  Dowling would be a great pick for the Vikings, and he has the chance to still be available at the end of the first round.  Dowling could also play the free safety position.
  3. Trevard Lindley, Kentucky – As a four year starter coupled with great production, it is hard to argue with Trevard Lindley at the end of the first round.  He recently missed four games with an injury (the first of his career) so keep a close eye on how he does with the remainder of the season.  Lindley’s top attribute is his speed so proving he hasn’t lost any of it after his high ankle sprain will need to be his top priority.  Lindley a solid playmaker and a solid tackler.  Over four years, Lindley has 121 solo tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and 10 picks… two of which he brought back for touchdowns.  I personally think it would be a slight reach for the Vikings to take him in the first round, but an absolute steal if he falls all the way to them in the second round.
  4. Donovan Warren, Michigan – Stuck on a team that is having troubles is never good for ones draft stock.  You are going to see Warren a lot further down on people’s lists than I have him, but he is one heck of a corner, worthy of a first day selection.  With good size and and great speed, Warren has a knack for the football.  It is hard to argue with Warren’s production through ten games this year.  So far he has 35 solo tackles, 4 interceptions, and 1 pick six.  I suspect that Warren will start to climb draft boards once he’s able to disassociate himself with Michigan, but if he doesn’t then he has true sleeper potential.  The Vikings would have a hard time passing him up with their second round pick.
  5. Perrish Cox, Oklahoma State – Solid Size.  Great Ball Skills.  Physical mind set.  Perrish Cox could really climb draft boards as we get closer.  He is an athlete that has not perfected, but does not lack much, in any aspect of the game.  He can blanket some of the top receivers around, make plays on the ball, and even deliver the occasional big hit.  Add that to him being one of the top return men in college football, and you have a recipe for a prospect charging up the board.  The Vikings should look at him if he’s still around in the second round.
  6. Patrick Robinson, Florida State – An all around solid player with solid measurable, solid production, and solid attributes.  Robinson’s production has been down for the last two years, but that is simply because opponents simply stop throwing his way.  He lacks the ability to be a big hit type of player, and lacks the speed to be elite, but he is one of the best pure cover corners in this draft.  The Vikings would be getting great value, and a potential starter from day one if they drafted Robinson.  Consideration should start at the end of the second round.
  7. Myron Lewis, Vanderbilt – Lewis is a large corner, standing at 6’ 2”, that could play either corner or safety at the next level.  His height and physical play will be very attractive to certain teams, as well as his considerable experience.  He lacks some speed, but makes up for it by jamming players well at the line of scrimmage.  He may not be an instant starter, but he would be useful matching up against some of the taller receivers in the NFL.  He actually kind of reminds me of Cedric Griffin, as they are both capable tacklers and also have a tendency to get burned by speedier players.  Lewis would be a solid addition to the Vikings secondary in the third round.
  8. Kyle Wilson, Boise State – A small corner that packs a big punch, has a knack for finding the football, and found the end zone three times returning punts in 2008.  That’s a pretty solid skill set for this under-sized (5’ 10”) senior.  Wilson has a tendency to try for the big hit and forget to wrap up, otherwise his game is pretty solid as a cover corner.  It may be a reach to target Wilson in the second round, but he’ll probably be gone by the middle of the third.
  9. Brandon Ghee, Wake Forest – Here is where we start to see some drop-off in cornerback quality.  Brandon Ghee is solid up unspectacular.  He has nice measurable and is developing into a solid prospect, but still needs to refine his skills and become a better tackler.  Ball skills are very questionable.  I expect Ghee to show his coachability in the Senior Bowl and do not think he is an answer for the Vikings.  He would be a special teams contributor as a rookie, but not much else.  The Vikings should start considering Ghee in the third round.
  10. Stephan Virgil, Virginia Tech – Here we have another cornerback who could surprise a lot of people.  His production is way down in 2009, but that is a result of other teams avoiding his side of the field as much as possible.  Virgil will need to have a good showing at the combine before he becomes considered more than a late 3rd rounder.  On paper he looks like an average cornerback, with average measurable, average speed, and average cornerback.  On tape, you see a kid with the potential to be a starter in this league.  The Vikings could give him a shot to be just that with their third or fourth round pick.

So there you have it.  I do think that the Vikings will be most likely to spend an early pick on corner, because they will be hunting for that sure-fire number one guy.  Consider the top four guys on this list as the ones that could most help the 2010 Vikings.