Vikings Rookie Mekhi Blackmon On Track To Start at Corner in Week 1

Blackmon still has to earn it in training camp and the preseason, but he's currently in the starting picture.

There's still a long, long ways to go until the Vikings send their starting defense onto the field for the first time against the Buccaneers on September 10th. But with that said, as of the end of the offseason program, rookie cornerback Mekhi Blackmon is on track to be in that starting group when Week 1 rolls around.

Because of the difficulty of the position, it's not all that common that rookie corners are able to earn a starting job right away unless they were selected near the top of the draft. Blackmon, who was the 102nd overall pick, doesn't fit that criteria. But compared to the typical third-round corner, he has a few things working in his favor as he prepares for his first NFL training camp.

An obvious one is the lack of proven talent in the Vikings' young CB room. Outside of clear No. 1 Byron Murphy Jr., there's no one in that group with more than four NFL starts. Journeyman veteran John Reid has four, Akayleb Evans has two, and Joejuan Williams and Andrew Booth Jr. have one apiece. So it's not like Blackmon has to beat out any established players.

Blackmon also isn't a typical NFL rookie. He spent six seasons at the college level, going from JuCo College of San Mateo to four years at Colorado to one final season at USC. He's already 24 years old, meaning he's older than fourth-year teammate Justin Jefferson. Blackmon has played a lot of football, which theoretically helps with the transition to the next level.

"I would say I got acclimated real quick," he said this month. "Just overstudying, working with (coach Daronte Jones) and them, I feel like they got me ready already."

Blackmon had an excellent final collegiate season, earning a 90.6 PFF grade with three interceptions, 12 total passes defended, and two tackles for loss during his lone campaign at USC. He's a little undersized at 5'11", 178, but he's a twitchy, explosive athlete who has a quick first step. The Vikings were drawn to Blackmon's stickiness in coverage and his playmaking abilities.

Those traits have helped him stand out so far this offseason. Blackmon has earned his way into the Vikings' starting three at corner along with Murphy and Evans, spending time both on the outside and in the slot.

Next up are training camp and preseason games. If Blackmon can hold off players like Booth and Williams during that time, he'll be running out onto the field with the starting defense in Week 1.

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