The Minnesota Vikings haven’t attacked the secondary in the NFL Draft since Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s first year as general manager in 2022. Three years later, it might be time to do it again.
The Vikings selected safety Lewis Cine No. 32 overall, after moving up from No. 12 to the Detroit Lions. This decision did not age well, as the Vikings found themselves cut bait on Cine before the deadline for this year’s 53-man roster. The Lions ended up selecting rising star wide receiver Jameson Williams with the 12th pick that year, and the Baltimore Ravens chose perennial Pro Bowl safety Kyle Hamilton two picks later. Ouch.
The Vikings tried again in the second round that year, selecting corner Andrew Booth Jr. from Clemson with the No. 42 overall pick. Adofo-Mensah also ended this project this summer, trading booth to the Dallas Cowboys. Booth was later released by Dallas November 5th.
These two botched choices (unfortunately, there were more in this 2022 draft class) have played a role in Minnesota’s current situation, with only Harrison Smith, 35, signed beyond 2024 among the team’s starters and safeties. Adofo-Mensah managed to fix those positions by adding Shaq Griffin and Stephon Gilmore this past offseason, but the Vikings have some major decisions coming up in the secondary in 2025, both in free agency and the draft.
NFL Insider Field Yates expects the Vikings to attack those needs in April, predicting the team will land lock corner Shavon Revel Jr. from East Carolina with their projected late first-round pick in the 2025 draft. Here’s his take on the fit:
« AND Torn ACL cut short Revel’s final season in September. Without that, we’d be talking about him much closer to the top 10. Revel has tremendous size, speed, acceleration, and ball skills, as he’s snagged two interceptions in three games this season. It’s unclear if Brian Flores will still be the Vikings’ defensive coordinator next season (or if he’ll land a head coaching job elsewhere), but it’s worth nothing for Minnesota to turn up the pressure and rely heavily on his corners. And with Stephon Gilmore, Byron Murphy Jr.. et Shaquill Griffon set to become a free agent in March, the Vikings need cover guys like Revel.
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores likes long outside corners, and at 6-foot-3, Revel fits that mold. He is also a physical player who can step in and help supplement running support. Scheme-wise, he’s the Vikings’ prototype corner in mock drafts.
Flores also likes playmakers, and Revel should eliminate some of those traits earlier this season with this pick six against Appalachian State:
Choose-6 to #ECU CB Shavon Revel Jr.
If you’re looking for Quinyon Mitchell this year, he’s a worthy candidate. I entered the year as a CB4 player and #25 overall. 📈📈📈 pic.twitter.com/mWLJi70uGx
-Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) September 14, 2024
There’s always a certain level of concern with a young player dealing with a torn ACL, but the value would certainly be there for Minnesota if Revel went down in the late hours of opening day.
