The Vikings could end up regretting not taking a cornerback in the 2025 NFL Draft. If so, the 2026 draft class has some good players, including Clemson’s Avieon Terrell.
Leading into this year’s draft, it sure felt like the Vikings were going to come away with a new cornerback at some point during the three-day event, but surprisingly that wasn’t the case. As it stands, the defense’s top trio at corner is made up of Byron Murphy Jr, Mekhi Blackmon, and free-agent signing Isaiah Rodgers.
I don’t think it’s crazy to suggest that this starting trio isn’t necessarily bad, but I also wouldn’t call it a good one either. Murphy Jr. is a legitimate player, but Blackmon missed all of the 2024 season with an injury and Rodgers will be learning a new system. This is why adding a new body within the first three rounds made sense.
But alas, that’s in the past. But because of their decision to forego a corner, Vikings fans may end up having to watch their team get paired with a cornerback for the next 11 months.
Just like I’m about to show you right now!
In a new 2026 mock from CBS Sports NFL analyst Ryan Wilson, with the 20th pick in the draft — hey! that’s a playoff appearance! — the Vikings selected Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell, the younger brother of current Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell.
“Has NFL bloodlines — his brother is former first-round pick A.J. Terrell. Avieon plays bigger than his listed size (see his matchup with former Stanford WR Elic Ayomanor). He can stay in phase on vertical routes and has good ball skills — he will try to bait the QB into making throws. In run support, he plays outside CB like he’s a strong safety.”
As a true freshman for the Tigers, the 5’11, 180-pound Terrell started five games while playing in 13 total contests. He ended that year with 19 tackles, four pass breakups, and a lone interception. His sophomore season saw him breakout a bit with a career-high 12 pass breakups and two interceptions to go with 58 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and three forced fumbles. It was an impressive seasons that has obviously put him on track to potentially join his brother as a first-round pick should he declare for next year’s draft.
On film, Terrell plays bigger than his listed measurements and he showed that against the larger wideouts he faced on the 2024 schedule. Scouts have described his style of play as a “strong safety playing outside cornerback” with the way he brings his pads behind him on tackle attempts. In coverage, he possesses fluid hips and the transition skills to stay in the hip pockets of receivers all over the field. Through two collegiate seasons, he also looks to be just as good at executing man coverage responsibilities as he does zone assignments.
To put a cherry on top for Terrell, he can also bring return value to an NFL team, as well. He averaged 32.1 yards per kickoff and 15.8 yards per punt return while in high school.
So what do you all think of this pick for the Vikings? Yay or nay? Let us know all of your thoughts in the comments below!
