Vikings add lockdown CB Mekhi Blackmon in third round of NFL draft
The Minnesota Vikings added another weapon to their defensive backfield on Friday night. After trading back with the San Francisco 49ers, the Vikings used pick No. 102 on CB Mekhi Blackmon out of USC. Minnesota received the third-round pick used on Blackmon in the deal, as well as a fifth-round pick (16) and a seventh-round […]
The Minnesota Vikings added another weapon to their defensive backfield on Friday night. After trading back with the San Francisco 49ers, the Vikings used pick No. 102 on CB Mekhi Blackmon out of USC.
Minnesota received the third-round pick used on Blackmon in the deal, as well as a fifth-round pick (16) and a seventh-round pick (222). Not only did the Vikings address a position of need, but they added two draft picks in the process, which they were running low on after entering the draft with just five total selections.
As for what Blackmon adds to the Vikings defense, he was one of the nation’s highest graded cornerbacks in 2022, according to Pro Football Focus. PFF graded him as the country’s third-highest cornerback in man coverage and fourth-best in zone coverage. Overall, Blackmon received the second-highest grade at the cornerback position.
Blackmon, 24, is reunited with his college teammate Jordan Addison, who he spent every day in practice guarding. While sticking with Addison is a challenge in its own right, Blackmon will be afforded with the chance to line up across from the NFL’s best receiver in Justin Jefferson.
In 2022, Blackmon registered 66 total tackles, 12 passes defensed, three interceptions, two TFLs and one fumble recovery. His nose for the football and abilities in man coverage should mesh well with defensive coordinator Brian Flores in 2023.
