Inside The Vikings

Vikings UDFA Profile: Indiana CB Jaylin Williams

Williams is a versatile slot corner with big-time speed and special teams value.
Will Ragatz|
Vikings UDFA Profile: Indiana CB Jaylin Williams
Vikings UDFA Profile: Indiana CB Jaylin Williams

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Minnesota Vikings

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: Indiana CB Jaylin Williams

  • Size: 5'10", 184
  • RAS: 5.54
  • 2022 stats: 40 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 7 PD, 1 FR

Jaylin Williams spent five seasons at Indiana and put up big numbers over the course of his college career. His breakout campaign came in 2020, when he recorded four interceptions and two tackles for loss in just eight games and was named second team All-Big Ten. Williams didn't have any picks over the last two seasons, but he did have a combined 18 passes defended. For his career, he recorded six INTs, 24 PD, two sacks, and 6.5 total TFL.

An undersized cornerback, Williams projects as a slot corner at the next level if he can stick around. His best athletic asset is his 4.45 speed. Williams plays with tenacity and instincts, which allows him to overcome his lack of size.

Realistically, his best chance at earning a role with the Vikings comes on special teams. Williams had a game-saving blocked field goal against Western Kentucky last season and has the speed to potentially be an impactful gunner on coverage units.

Scouting report from NFL.com's Lance Zierlein:

Williams lacks the length and explosiveness of an outside corner but displayed his play strength and toughness at that position in the Big Ten. Williams has decent mirror-and-match footwork from press but can be a little late to accelerate quickly when forced to flip and chase. He plays with good recognition from zone and is quick to dart in on throws. His physical/athletic profile does not stand out and the lack of takeaways over the last two seasons could hurt him.

Vikings' offseason cornerback depth chart:

  • Byron Murphy Jr.
  • Akayleb Evans
  • Andrew Booth Jr.
  • Mekhi Blackmon
  • Joejuan Williams
  • Tay Gowan
  • Kalon Barnes
  • John Reid
  • C.J. Coldon
  • Jaylin Williams
  • NaJee Thompson

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.

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Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

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