There has been no hiding it: the Minnesota Vikings have had some issues at the cornerback position almost two weeks through training camp. Besides the devastating loss of Khyree Jackson to his family, forget about football.
There have been other events that, while they don’t compare, do keep happening within the same position group.
The season-ending injury to Mehki Blackmon, a torn ACL, was a gut punch. That was followed up by Shaq Griffin suffering a hamstring injury, and we know those injuries can linger throughout the entire season. The team has been actively signing three free-agent defensive backs, but none will likely be worthy of being opposite Byron Murphy Jr. in the pass-happy NFC North.
One solution already on the roster is college cornerback Camryn Bynum, who became an NFL safety once drafted by the Vikings.
Bynum was a middle-tier cornerback prospect in the 2021 draft class. The Vikings’ move to safety for him has proved to be a great one, as he has outplayed his draft capital and is poised to be extended by the team.
But what about moving him back to cornerback, just for the season?
His PFF coverage grades in college were favorable. He earned an average grade of 75.2, with his highest grade coming in his sophomore year when he graded out at 82.4.
The preseason is all about moving the chess pieces around and seeing what strategies work. Bynum making a move to cornerback is simple, it makes sense, and it is the band-aid solution this team needs.
