Vikings UDFA Profile: Oklahoma CB C.J. Coldon
Over the next couple weeks, Inside the Vikings will be taking a look at all 15 members of Minnesota's 2023 undrafted free agent class.
Vikings UDFA profile: Oklahoma CB C.J. Coldon
- Size: 5'10", 186
- RAS: 3.92
- 2022 stats: 42 tackles, 2 TFL, 6 PD, 4 INT
C.J. Coldon started his college career at Wyoming, redshirting his freshman season and then playing in just six combined games in 2018 and 2019 because of injuries. He stayed healthy during the shortened 2020 season, picking off two passes in just six games. The following year, he started all 13 games and recorded 67 tackles, 4.5 TFL, a sack, and ten passes defended.
Looking to boost his profile, Coldon transferred to Oklahoma for his sixth and final year of eligibility. It was a successful move, as he led the Sooners with four interceptions and was named an All-Big 12 honorable mention.
Coldon plays with good instincts and has impressive ball skills. The biggest reasons why he went undrafted are his age — he's already 24 — and below-average athletic tools. In addition to being undersized, Coldon ran a 4.63 40 at Oklahoma's pro day and had a slow three-cone drill time as well. He did show off good explosiveness in the vertical and broad jumps, but Coldon's overall RAS is below 4, which makes it an uphill battle for him to stick around in the NFL.
If Coldon is going to carve out a role at the next level, he'll have to make up for his lack of size and speed with great coverage technique and football IQ. As with any UDFA, his best path to making the Vikings' roster or practice squad involves shining on special teams.
Vikings' offseason cornerback depth chart:
- Byron Murphy Jr.
- Akayleb Evans
- Andrew Booth Jr.
- Mekhi Blackmon (rookie)
- Joejuan Williams
- Jay Ward (rookie)
- Tay Gowan
- Kalon Barnes
- John Reid
- C.J. Coldon (rookie)
- Jaylin Williams (rookie)
- NaJee Thompson (rookie)
Thanks for reading. Make sure to bookmark this site and check back daily for the latest Vikings news and analysis all offseason long. Also, follow me on Twitter and feel free to ask me any questions on there.
