Alabama CB Terrion Arnold is a Popular Vikings Pick in Mock Drafts

In a world where the Vikings don't draft a quarterback with their top pick, the two most likely options seem to be bolstering Brian Flores' defense with an elite edge rusher or cornerback prospect. If they want to draft an EDGE in the first round for the first time in nearly two decades, they might have their pick of a group that includes Dallas Turner, Jared Verse, and Laiatu Latu.

But the cornerback class is pretty enticing, too. There are guys like Clemson's Nate Wiggins and Toledo's Quinyon Mitchell, the latter of whom dazzled in front of tons of Vikings personnel at the Senior Bowl. The best of the bunch, though, might be Alabama's Terrion Arnold, who is becoming a popular pick for the Vikings at No. 11 overall in mock drafts.

Arnold was the choice for Minnesota in a recent mock from SI's Luke Easterling:

Quarterback is obviously the big question mark here, but Kirk Cousins returning still makes the most sense for both parties. If that happens, the Vikings will be freed up to address multiple needs on defense, and while the trenches need plenty of work, they’ll find more value at corner with Arnold if the board falls this way.

And another from FOX Sports' Joel Klatt:

The Vikings, I believe, need some help in their secondary. Arnold is my top cornerback in this draft, but I'm still diving more into scouting these players as draft prospects. There are a handful of good cornerbacks in this draft.

The fit makes a lot of sense, particularly if the Vikings are able to re-sign Danielle Hunter (and maybe D.J. Wonnum or Marcus Davenport, too) in their OLB room. Even with all of their top cornerbacks — Byron Murphy Jr., Akayleb Evans, and Mekhi Blackmon — from 2023 under contract again, the Vikings really need a shutdown CB1. Finding a star player at that position and having them for four or five years on a rookie contract would be huge.

It looks like Arnold can be that guy. The 20-year-old is coming off an incredible redshirt sophomore year at Alabama; he racked up 12 passes defended, five interceptions, 6.5 tackles for loss, a sack, and a forced fumble in 2023. Arnold is an exceptional athlete who is a sticky playmaker in coverage and a feisty tackler against the run. He can play both nickel and on the outside, and at least on paper, he looks like a potentially great fit in Flores' scheme.

No, the Vikings' recent track record with early-round corners (Andrew Booth Jr., Jeff Gladney, Mike Hughes) isn't great. But that's not a reason to stop trying. It's such a critical position in the modern NFL, so it would be hugely beneficial if the Vikings take someone like Arnold or Mitchell or Wiggins at 11 and they pan out.

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