Brian Flores is holding one Vikings draft pick to an incredibly high standard
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores had his fingerprints all over one of the team’s 2023 draft picks. Cornerback Mekhi Blackmon out of USC employs all of the physical traits required to succeed in Flores’ secondary. Blackmon was selected in the third round with the 102nd overall pick. He was one of Pro Football Focus’ […]
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores had his fingerprints all over one of the team’s 2023 draft picks. Cornerback Mekhi Blackmon out of USC employs all of the physical traits required to succeed in Flores’ secondary.
Blackmon was selected in the third round with the 102nd overall pick. He was one of Pro Football Focus’ highest graded cornerbacks in the 2022 season. While his film displays his incredible ball skills, his ability to quickly process the mental side of the game that excites the Vikings coaching staff.
Flores holds his defensive backs to a high standard. Rookies like Blackmon are no exception. In his media availability on Wednesday, Blackmon went into detail on what exactly Flores is expecting out of him heading into his rookie campaign.
“Coach [Flores] is a gamer,” Blackmon said. “His defense, different schemes, how he can mix it up. You know he expects all of us to know every position in the back seven, because it can change based on the play caller, you know, different variations of what we do. So that's what he's expecting out of me just building my knowledge for the overall game and that mental aspect, growing in that.”
Blackmon is expected to challenge for a starting spot in training camp. With Andrew Booth Jr.’s health status still up in the air, it’s not unreasonable to expect Blackmon slotted in as the team’s No. 1 cornerback at some point in the regular season.
