Fast rising cornerback prospect in NFL Draft provides an intriguing option in first round for Minnesota Vikings

The cornerback position is a fascinating one in this draft class. There are a lot different types of players in this class to target. The depth of the class dipped after the third round, but there is talent to be had. The Minnesota Vikings will be one of the teams who will likely target the […]

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Sep 21, 2024; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats defensive back Maxwell Hairston (1) runs onto the field before the game against the Ohio Bobcats at Kroger Field.
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The cornerback position is a fascinating one in this draft class. There are a lot different types of players in this class to target. The depth of the class dipped after the third round, but there is talent to be had.

The Minnesota Vikings will be one of the teams who will likely target the position early on. The back half of the first round is flush with secondary talent who can step in and immediately help the Vikings.

The latest installment of our SKOL Search series focuses on a very popular name in NFL Mock Drafts for the Vikings in Kentucky CB Maxwell Hairston.

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Maxwell Hairston

  • Kentucky
  • Height: 5112
  • Weight: 183
  • Class: Fourth-Year Junior
  • Recruiting info: 3-star recruit in 2021 class per 247 Sports
  • Stats: 89 tackles (71 solo), 3.0 tackles for loss, 6 interceptions, 3 touchdowns, 10 passes defended, 3 forced fumbles
  • Games watched: Georgia 2024, Texas 2024, Louisville 2024

Strengths

  • Speed: Hairston is the fastest player in this draft class. He ran a 4.28 second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, and he displays that on the field. Hairston won't get burned over the top.
  • Footwork: Hairston is a smooth mover. His footwork is always under control, and they match his eyes well. Receivers rarely get him out of position.
  • Field Vision: Being able to recognize what's going on in front of you is a key factor for success. Hairston diagnoses things really well,l seeing what's in front of him and triggering downhill.

Weaknesses

  • Frame: Hairston is a slender player who looks like he weighs 183 lbs. That lack of size will end up hurting him against more physical receivers. 
  • Run Support/Tackling: Sometimes, you have a smaller-framed cornerback who is a monster in run support (Antoine Winfield Sr.). Unfortunately, that's not Hairston, who struggles in the run game, especially with tackling. Hairston also struggles in the open field with tackling.
  • Ball Tracking: Cornerbacks need to be able to track the football, and it's something that Hairston struggles with. He does have the speed to be able to catch up, but he needs to be better with the ball in the air.

Overview

TraitGrade

Man

8.2/10

Zone

8.1/10

Hips/Fluidity

12.0/15

Recognition

8.7/10

Quickness

8.7/10

Run Support

6.2/10

Speed

9.1/10

Recovery

8.3/10

Tackling

3.4/5

Ball Skills

7.7/10

Grade

80.4 Second Round Grade

Hairston is a talented player who possesses really good instincts with elite speed and quickness. There are some shortcomings with ball tracking and tackling, but there is still a lot to like.

When it comes to the Vikings, I don't think Hairston will be on their board. While he has a lot of things that Brian Flores would like (speed and reaction ability are the main ones), the struggles in the open field with tackling are an issue. That doesn't work with the Vikings' defense due to their aggressive nature.

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