The Minnesota Vikings have a need at the cornerback position. Throughout the offseason, they’ve been mocked by many different players, but South Carolina cornerback Cam Smith has been one of the most popular. In their first mock draft since the Super Bowl was finished on Monday morning, Andrew Erickson of Fantasy Pros continued the trend of having the Vikings select Smith in the first round.
“Defense. Defense. Defense. The Minnesota Vikings ranked 26th in DVOA in 2022, “boasting” the league’s second-worst mark in passing yards allowed per game (265.6). They brought in Brian Flores as the new defensive coordinator, and his presence will be most felt in the team’s secondary. Enter Cam Smith. The South Carolina defensive back checks off the marks as a defensive back poised to get his hands on the ball. In 2021, he earned PFF’s second-highest coverage grade in the FBS. And over the last two seasons, Smith has broken up 15 passes.”
There is no doubt that Smith’s physicality would be a welcome addition to the Vikings come April. If the Vikings go this route, they’d be set up with a young cornerback group with plenty of potential heading into the 2023 season.
