Minnesota Vikings Shopping Young Cornerback

When the Minnesota Vikings kicked off training camp there were serious questions about their cornerback position. As the season started, there were some rumblings they may have too many mouths to feed. As the trade deadline approaches, it seems the latter could wind up winning out.

Stephon Gilmore looks every bit the superstar he was brought in to be. Shaq Griffin has been great on the opposite side, and Byron Murphy Jr. is standing strong as well. That means Akayleb Evans is buried on the depth chart. He could be a piece that returns something else of need for Kevin O’Connell.

Akayleb Evans could be had from Minnesota Vikings

Akayleb Evans was a 4th round draft pick by the Minnesota Vikings during the 2022 NFL Draft. He drew a pair of starts as a rookie, and then started 15 games last season. Results have been all over the place, but he has largely been an afterthought in 2024. ESPN’s Kevin Siefert suggested that the young corner could be on the move.

“Cornerback Akayleb Evans. Evans started two games as a rookie in 2022 and 15 last season, but he is now buried on the depth chart behind veterans Stephon Gilmore, Byron Murphy Jr. and Shaquill Griffin. At 6-foot-2 and 198 pounds, he has the kind of size that teams covet at the position. The Vikings aren’t necessarily looking to move him, and he could be elevated based on injuries, but at the moment there isn’t a clear path for him to get on the field.”

Kevin Siefert on Akayleb Evans (ESPN)

It makes a good amount of sense that Minnesota would see what offers they could net for Evans. He has just a pair of tackles this season, and has played just three defensive snaps. His ability may be wasted on special teams, and there is probably another team that views him as a developmental contributor on defense.

First career interception for Akayleb Evans! pic.twitter.com/kqfhozrp0n

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) December 16, 2023

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As Siefert points out, there’s no real reason for the Vikings to give Evans away. Although his results have been a rollercoaster, he did emerge as a starting option as a rookie. The body plays well at the position, and the Vikings have seen what happens when their corner depth is non-existent. As Minnesota seeks to be active on the market though, a player like that could be utilized rather than just trading picks.

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There’s probably a greater chance that Evans stays put in the lead up to the NFL trade deadline. That doesn’t mean his name won’t be called on, or that his team isn’t floating that idea out there.

Mentioned in this article: Akayleb Evans

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