Minnesota Vikings meet with fascinating NFL Draft prospect who fits exactly what Brian Flores wants on defense

The second round is the perfect spot for a versatile player out of Arizona.

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Arizona defensive back Treydan Stukes (DB49) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center.
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There are a multitude of options for the Minnesota Vikings in the NFL Draft. Their needs are all over the place, and to varying degrees. From the trenches on both sides of the football to the secondary and the skill positions, they need to add 28 players to the roster.

Right now, the Vikings have nine draft picks to make it happen, and they are meeting with prospects at pro days and at TCO Performance Center on top-30 visits. They sent one of their position coaches to Tuscon, Arizona to meet with one of the more interesting prospects in the NFL Draft.

Minnesota Vikings met with Treydan Stukes

Defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator Gerald Alexander headed down to the University of Arizona to meet with cornerback/safety Treydan Stukes.

The Arizona Wildcats secondary had three really good players on the back end, and Stukes is arguably the best of them. At 6-1 and 190 pounds, Stukes was mainly used as a slot defender in their defense, and he was excellent in that role. He ran a 4.33 40-yard dash at hte combine, while jumping out of the gym. He also thrives when attacking the football in the air, notching four interceptions this season after missing the final eight games in 2024 with a torn ACL.

I gave Stukes a high second-round grade, which fits where the Vikings are selecting at 49th overall. His scouting report fits what defensive coordinator Brian Flores likes.

Strengths

  • Really impressive click-n-close ability.
  • Showcases good tackling ability. He squares up receivers and takes them down.
  • Has plus instincts. Sees the ball in the air and takes proper angles to get there in time. 
  • Tracks the ball well in the air.
  • Good ability to play man coverage.

Weaknesses

  • Can get a little flat footed in man coverage. Receivers can deke him at the stem and force Stukes to flip his hips, which can be pretty rough.
  • Struggles passing off receivers with other cornerbacks. Could end up hindering himself in match principals.
  • Tackling form needs some work.

Stukes also has something that Flores craves in draft picks: experience. Stukes is 24 years old and played 2,674 snaps in his career. The last two cornerbacks who the Vikings have drafted were both 24 years old in Mekhi Blackmon and Khyree Jackson.

It’s not just the experience that Stukes offers, he’s a versatile player. He can play in the slot, in the box, and over the top. That versatility is necessary for how Flores calls his coverages. Adding Stukes would be a huge benefit for the Vikings overall, and being that he’s a priority, that could end up happening.

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