One of the Minnesota Vikings’ key offseason priorities is revamping their cornerback group, which has struggled with consistent top-tier performance for nearly five years. Pro Bowler Byron Murphy Jr. remains under contract on a multi-year deal, while Mekhi Blackmon is working his way back from an ACL injury suffered in the preseason. However, additional reinforcements are needed.
Minnesota may address this need in the draft, with several top prospects available, including Colorado’s Travis Hunter, Michigan’s Will Johnson, Texas’ Jahdae Barron, Notre Dame’s Benjamin Morrison, and East Carolina’s Shavon Revel—each considered potential first-round picks.
Holding the 24th overall selection, the Vikings could trade down to maximize value, meaning Hunter, Johnson, and possibly Barron may be off the board when they pick. Among the remaining options, Morrison stands out as a particularly intriguing choice.
Morrison, a 20-year-old cornerback prospect from Phoenix, comes from an NFL pedigree—his father, Daryl Morrison, played safety for Washington from 1993 to 1996. Once projected as a top-15 pick, his draft stock took a hit after a hip injury sidelined him for much of last season.
At Notre Dame, Morrison primarily played on the boundary, logging 540 snaps at cornerback in 2023 and 272 in 2024. He was a key defensive piece during the first seven weeks of the season, helping the Fighting Irish reach the national championship. In his last full season, PFF graded his coverage at 84.6.
Statistically, Morrison has backed up his potential, allowing under one yard per coverage snap and holding opposing quarterbacks to a passer rating below 50 throughout his career. While injury concerns have lowered his stock, his tape showcases high-level play against NFL-caliber competition.
Morrison possesses an exceptionally smooth backpedal, quick footwork, and patient movement, allowing him to navigate traffic effortlessly. His strong peripheral awareness helps him effectively counter mesh and rub concepts, and his impressive long speed was evident when covering Penn State’s Julian Fleming, a 4.3-speed receiver.
He consistently stays in phase with vertical threats, either shoulder-to-shoulder or in tight trail coverage. At 6’0”, 190 lbs., he fits the prototype of cornerbacks Brian Flores has favored.
Beyond coverage ability, Morrison is a dynamic playmaker. He has returned multiple interceptions for touchdowns, showcasing agility, shiftiness, and top-end speed in the open field.
His game is highly cerebral, with excellent diagnostic skills and quick reactions. He’s a reliable tackler in one-on-one situations, especially when moving laterally, and his fluid athleticism is complemented by strong ball-timing skills and an impressive vertical leap. His poise and awareness stand out, particularly in red-zone situations, where he consistently positions himself well against receivers.
Despite his high upside, Morrison remains a work in progress. He can be overpowered in the run game and struggles to bring down ball carriers after the catch. While he has a quick downhill trigger, he often misses tackles by attempting to launch into opponents rather than wrapping up. Additionally, he has difficulty in contested situations against bigger-bodied pass-catchers and can lose leverage in press coverage, particularly against strong hand-fighters who can knock him off his route.
Morrison has been medically cleared and will have an opportunity to showcase his skills in a private workout for NFL evaluators, giving teams another chance to assess his talent and physical condition.
His draft position will largely depend on how comfortable teams are with his medical evaluations. He could be available anywhere from the late first to the mid-second round, making him an intriguing option for Minnesota. If healthy, Morrison would provide an immediate infusion of youth and athleticism to the Vikings’ secondary, fitting well within Brian Flores’ flexible defensive schemes.
With no lingering medical concerns, Morrison has the potential to deliver the high-level cornerback play Minnesota has been lacking, potentially becoming the team’s first true CB1 since Xavier Rhodes.
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