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The Vikings’ Best Cornerback Options in the Draft

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Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell (8) during Spring Practice in Clemson, S.C. Monday, March 24, 2025. © Ken Ruinard / staff / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The 2026 NFL draft is fast approaching, so it’s time to start looking at the Vikings’ draft options. Having previously looked at safety and defensive tackle, we now turn our attention to a position that was a popular choice in the earlier mock drafts for the Vikings’ first round pick, but has cooled off the closer we have got to the draft – cornerback.

How Minnesota Can Navigate the Board at Cornerback

Cornerback is still a position I can see the Vikings looking to add to the roster during the draft. The signing of James Pierre made the team’s position at CB less desperate, but unless Pierre surprises and is better than advertised. Everything at the position isn’t solved and still needs addressing. These are the options throughout the different rounds.

The First Round Certainties

Several cornerbacks could fly off the board in the first round, with Mansoor Delane and Jermod McCoy the most highly rated. Both have the potential to go higher than 18 as genuine lockdown outside corners. If either is on the board at 18, they immediately become extremely strong candidates for the Vikings, who are in desperate need of a long, rangy shutdown CB.

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Vikings cornerback draft
Tennessee offensive lineman Cooper Mays (63), wide receiver Bru McCoy (5), and quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) surround running back Dylan Sampson (6) in celebration after Sampson’s touchdown during an NCAA college football game against Alabama on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Knoxville. Tenn. © Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.

The other first-round option is Avieon Terrell. He is a different kind of CB to Delane and McCoy, largely down to his shorter stature, which will likely see him used primarily as a slot corner. His elite football IQ and playmaking instincts mean he can be very effective from that position, but make his value more towards the back end of the first round.

If the Vikings want a CB and the first two are off the board, trading back and selecting Terrell would be a good value move.

The Vikings Draft Options on Day 2

Day 2 brings a whole host of options at the CB position, starting with Colton Hood. A developmental prospect, Hood is a talented but inconsistent young player with only one full season as a starter. He may take time to cover NFL receivers, but the tools are there for him to become a good outside corner.

There are a couple of smaller, less physical options in Brandon Cisse and D’Angelo Ponds. Cisse can lack physicality at times, but his explosiveness and twitch give him the tools to develop into a starting NFL cornerback, making him a promising prospect for Minnesota on Day 2. Ponds’ football IQ and instincts make him an intriguing prospect. While he plays with clear passion and urgency every snap, his downside is that, at 5’9, 173 lbs, he is very small for the position.

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The options keep coming in on Day 2, with this draft full of good CBs who all have at least one flaw. Chris Johnson excels with physicality, spacing, anticipation, and ball skills, but is best suited to playing off-coverage.

Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Diego State defensive back Chris Johnson (DB17) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

Keith Abney lacks length and top-tier athleticism to be a big success in coverage, but his competitiveness and run-defense mentality make him a valuable rotational defensive back with starter potential. Keionte Scott is another tone-setter in run defense with a physical mentality, but also has coverage limitations. Other options in the third round include Treydan Stukes, Davison Igbinosun, and Devin Moore.

The Best of the Rest on Day 3

There aren’t many options I like on Day 3, especially since the Vikings aren’t scheduled to pick until the fifth round. However, a couple of names with potential are Chandler Rivers, Tarico Davis, and Thaddeus Dixon. At nearly 6’4 and 194 lbs, Davis has potential as a matchup against bigger WRs, while his lack of fluidity in movement will see him struggle against the league’s route technicians.

Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats cornerback Tacario Davis (1) against the Colorado Buffalos at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Rivers is a good player with lots of success at the collegiate level, but his below-average size could see him fall into the mid rounds. With an incredibly natural zone feel, spatial awareness, and quick processing, he could prove a steal if the Vikings can land him in the fifth. Despite his smaller frame, he’s not afraid to surge downhill and hit hard, which is a plus point.

Finally, we have Dixon, a high-upside CB who should be available in the middle rounds. At around 6’0″, 195 pounds, with 31 1/2″ arms, Dixon has decent length, to pair with springy, explosive athleticism, elite reactive coil, and twitch. A red flag comes in the form of off-field misdemeanors, so teams will want him to show he has matured. If he has, he could prove to be a steal.


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Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.

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Asterix hits top gear in 2026 JRA Plate conquest

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Asterix’s success diverged from Waller’s typical victors by being rather unforeseen, as the ascending eight-year-old gelding jumped at $16.

Four years on from his New Zealand Derby conquest, Asterix struggled initially but recaptured form last summer, securing The Beauford and vice in the Christmas Cup.

Heading into the JRA Plate for his fresh start, Waller held reservations about Asterix’s showing, only to be overjoyed by the stayers’ swift finish that secured the prize, bolstered by Jason Collett’s astute handling.

“It’s taken a while for him to find his legs in Australia, but he’s certainly racing honestly now. That was a good win,.” Waller said.

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“That’s exactly what we wanted to see and I think there’s a Gosford Cup in about three weeks to consider.

“We’ll have a look at that first, it’s good prizemoney here in Sydney and then probably up to Queensland.”

Asterix ($16) charged through the bunch ridden by Collett to pip You Wahng ($9) by a long head on the wire, with favourite Travolta ($3.80) half a length adrift in third spot.

Collett commented that the race “played out really well” for Asterix.

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“His trials were really good coming into it, he had some freshness in his legs but starting off over 2000m may have been a question mark,” Collett said.”Chris said ‘be kind to him’ and we got a very kind run. Off a moderate tempo, we only had to get out late and sprint and he did that.

“I was pretty happy with that win, I think he’ll be in for a pretty good winter campaign.”

You Wahng, successful in last year’s Queensland Oaks, pointed towards impending triumphs via her solid second placing.

“She’s run very well so we will look at Brisbane again with her,” trainer Kris Lees.

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“It was encouraging to see her run so well and if we get some rain-affected tracks, then that won’t worry her, either.”

Following his run of misfortune yet rapid close for third, Waller pointed Travolta towards a likely Gosford Gold Cup entry on May 9.

“It wasn’t a pretty sight, was it? Just didn’t have any luck at the top of the straight,” Waller said.”By the time he got out, it was sort of too late, but I think it showed he’s much more effective over these shorter distances, so he’d probably go there too.”

For the best racing betting markets on the JRA Plate, visit leading sites now.

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Female star hints at her return amid WWE signing rumors, Buddy Matthews takes a shot at Jade Cargill, Wardlow issues a statement

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Welcome along to the latest rendition of Sportskeeda Wrestling’s AEW News & Rumor Roundup. Today, we are looking at stories involving top pro-wrestling stars, including Buddy Matthews, Jade Cargill, and Wardlow, among others.

A popular female star has hinted at a return to the squared circle amid rampant WWE rumors. Meanwhile, Buddy Matthews took a subtle jab at Jade Cargill after a WWE Women’s Championship loss to Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 42, and Wardlow has issued a statement amid his absence from the Jacksonville-based promotion. This and more as we delve into the latest All Elite Wrestling news today. Let’s get this roundup started.

#5. Anna Jay hints at in-ring return amid WWE signing rumors

One of All Elite Wrestling’s longtime female competitors, Anna Jay, has seemingly teased her impending return to the squared circle amid swirling rumors of a potential jump to WWE. Jay first appeared for AEW at All Out 2019 and officially signed in April 2020, going on to face top names like Hikaru Shida, Britt Baker, Willow Nightingale, Kris Statlander, Julia Hart, Toni Storm, Mercedes Mone, and Megan Bayne. The Queen Slayer has been notably absent from television programming since November 2025, when she and her tag team partner, Tay Melo, were eliminated from the AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championship tournament by the MegaProblems (Megan Bayne and Marina Shafir). During this extended hiatus, reports emerged that Jay’s contract with Tony Khan’s promotion might be set to expire in the spring of 2026, fueling widespread speculation that she might jump ship to the sports entertainment juggernaut. That said, her latest social media activity suggests she is ready to return to wrestling, potentially in Tony Khan’s promotion.

During a recent live stream on Twitch, fans asked Anna Jay about her favorite ring gear, prompting her to drop a major hint about her eventual comeback. While she could not pick a favorite outfit, she revealed that she has brand-new gear ready whenever she returns, noting that it features a red color palette.

#4. Jade Cargill uses Kenny Omega’s One-Winged Angel finisher at WrestleMania 42

Jade Cargill suffered a major setback during her WWE Women’s Championship defense at Night 2 of WrestleMania 42. The former AEW TBS champion had originally captured the title by defeating Tiffany Stratton at Saturday Night’s Main Event 41 in October, and she went on to defend it against Michin, B-Fab, and Jordynne Grace. During her highly anticipated clash against 2026 Elimination Chamber winner Rhea Ripley at the Shows of Shows, Cargill utilized outside help from her henchwomen, Michin and B-Fab, to try and retain the gold.

In a shocking moment during the match, Cargill even pulled from the playbook of a popular AEW superstar, hitting Ripley with her own version of Kenny Omega’s devastating One-Winged Angel finishing maneuver. However, executing the Best Bout Machine’s near-unbeatable move was not enough to secure the pinfall. Iyo Sky eventually interfered to neutralize Cargill’s allies, allowing Ripley to plant the champion with the Riptide and officially capture the WWE Women’s Title.

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#3. Buddy Matthews takes a subtle dig at Jade Cargill following Rhea Ripley’s Win At WWE WrestleMania 42

Following Rhea Ripley’s monumental victory over Jade Cargill at WrestleMania 42, AEW star Buddy Matthews took to social media to celebrate his wife’s championship win. Matthews, who was in attendance at The Showcase of the Immortals to support the Eradicator, posted a photo on his Instagram story reacting to the title change. Seemingly taking a direct shot at the defeated Jade Cargill, Matthews captioned the image with:

“We having the last laugh!! 😂😂”.

While Matthews is currently celebrating his wife’s success, his own in-ring future remains uncertain following an unfortunate injury. The 37-year-old Australian native has not competed since February 2025, when he injured his foot during his entrance at the Grand Slam Australia event and lost to Kazuchika Okada.

#2. Wardlow issues statement following non wrestling TV return

Wardlow has been a dominant force in AEW, but his momentum has repeatedly been halted by injuries, preventing him from receiving a sustained main-event push. After missing over a year of action in 2024, Mr. Mayhem made a shocking return at the Forbidden Door pay-per-view in August 2025, attacking Swerve Strickland, only to be sidelined again by a torn pectoral muscle. While his professional wrestling career remains on pause, the former AEW TNT Champion has made his television return outside the ring, starring as the character Fang on the rebooted American Gladiators series on Prime Video.

Following the show’s premiere last week, Wardlow took to Instagram to share behind-the-scenes photos and celebrate the show’s success. He noted that American Gladiators was trending at number eight on the top 10 shows and encouraged fans to help push it to the number one spot, thanking everyone for the love and support.

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“Well closing the weekend with #AmericanGladiators trending at #8 on top 10 shows! Let’s get it to that #1 spot! Thank you to everyone that watched and for all the love I’ve been receiving. Means the world. What did yall think of the first three episodes!? More coming next Friday on @primevideo 🐺💪🏽🇺🇸 Here’s a little bts from one of my favorite photo shoots ever!” he wrote.

Check out his Instagram post here.

#1. AEW began promoting All In: London tickets right after WrestleMania 42 ended

The professional wrestling world was focused on Las Vegas this weekend for WWE’s WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium, an event that drew both praise and criticism online for its production and match quality. Immediately after Night 2 of The Showcase of the Immortals concluded, All Elite Wrestling seized the moment to take a massive dig at their competition by launching a promotional push for their upcoming stadium show. AEW took to social media to aggressively promote All In: London, scheduled for August 30 at Wembley Stadium, highlighting that their lowest available tickets start at just £31.70, significantly cheaper than WWE’s stadium tickets.

This promotional strategy comes as Tony Khan’s company prepares to expand its pay-per-view schedule following the major successes of Revolution and Dynasty earlier in 2026. According to the latest reports, the Jacksonville-based promotion has officially filed a trademark for “AEW Redemption,” which will debut as a new pay-per-view event later in 2026.