You are using an older browser version. Please use a supported version for the best MSN experience.

Vikings take a Quarterback in Touchdown Wire's latest three-round mock draft

Vikings Wire 3/7/2023 Matt Anderson

Smith is a versatile, physical cornerback that the Gamecocks trusted to follow top receivers. He did a great job of keeping things in front of him, especially against Jalin Hyatt of Tennessee. One of the most impressive things about Smith is his gap discipline. He knows where to be and plays gap control in the run game, screen game and when blitzing. Smith is also a really good tackler. He uses proper form and is strong enough to take down ball carriers with ease. Athleticism is evident with Smith. He has the long speed to run with receivers deep and the fluidity in his hips is superb. He uses both to recover well when he gets beat at the stem.

© James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports Smith is a versatile, physical cornerback that the Gamecocks trusted to follow top receivers. He did a great job of keeping things in front of him, especially against Jalin Hyatt of Tennessee. One of the most impressive things about Smith is his gap discipline. He knows where to be and plays gap control in the run game, screen game and when blitzing. Smith is also a really good tackler. He uses proper form and is strong enough to take down ball carriers with ease. Athleticism is evident with Smith. He has the long speed to run with receivers deep and the fluidity in his hips is superb. He uses both to recover well when he gets beat at the stem.

The NFL Combine just wrapped up, and the Minnesota Vikings now have a better evaluation of some prospects they may be interested in taking in April’s NFL Draft. While the Vikings have a lot of holes on their roster, the main one that comes up quite frequently is cornerback,

On Monday, Doug Farrar of CBS Sports released his latest mock draft and had the Vikings selecting South Carolina cornerback Cam Smith.

“If you want to lay eyes on a cornerback-light team, look no further than the Vikings, whose corners were burned all over the field in 2022. New defensive coordinator Brian Flores historically loves to mix his gutsy man coverages with all kinds of blitz packages, and if you want to do that, you’d better have defensive backs who do well on true islands. Last season, Smith — the hyper-aggressive and technique-sound South Carolina star — allowed just seven catches on 23 targets for 53 yards in man coverage, so Flores could check off at least one of his glaring needs with confidence if this is how the draft went.”

Smith would certainly help this Vikings secondary, and his physical play style is something that this defense desperately lacked in 2022. With the right coaching, Smith could be a cornerstone cornerback for the next decade.

Later in the 3rd round of this mock draft, Farrar had the Vikings finding a potential Kirk Cousins successor., selecting Stanford quarterback Tanner McKee.

McKee is an interesting pickup for the Vikings late in day two. While McKee isn’t a flashy name, there is hope that head coach Kevin O’Connell can help develop him into something. Best case scenario: he eventually replaces Cousins. Worst-case scenario, you’re still left searching for a quarterback of the future.