Minnesota Vikings Improve Defense with Trae Waynes

By Ben Ryan | Apr 30, 2015

The day has finally come.

Thursday, April 30, at 8p.m. the 2015 NFL draft officially began. Without question, this year’s draft would be one of the most interesting in recent years. With questions on whether either Melvin Gordon or Todd Gurley should go into the first round, Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota should be first selection, to Shane Ray and Randy Gregory failing drug tests due to marijuana; almost anything could’ve happened this year.

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For the Minnesota Vikings, they kept their eyes on two players; DeVante Parker and Trae Waynes. In almost every mock draft, you’d see one of these two. With all the hype, talk, and thoughts, they’ve finally made their decision.

With the No. 11 pick, the Vikings selected Waynes out of Michigan State.

Grade: A

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Trae Waynes (Michigan State) poses for a photo with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected as the number 11th overall pick to the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Competitive, tough, strong, athletic, explosive, and cocky are the words to describe Waynes.

Waynes, the top cornerback in this year’s draft, dominated during his college career. He allowed two touchdowns as a two-year starter. His junior season, he intercepted three passes while recording 34 tackles. Playing almost every down, Waynes is very competitive.

His athleticism is by far his best characteristic. At the NFL combine, Waynes separated himself from the rest of the cornerbacks with his 4.31 time in the 40-yard dash. On top of that, he also jumped an impressive 38-inch vertical leap; blowing the rest of the cornerback gang out of the water.

Waynes stands at 6’1″ and weighs just 182 pounds. He’ll have to add on some bulk and more muscle once he joins the Vikings. He’s a physical player who presses hard to keep receivers on the line. His man-to-man defense is outstanding, as well as his zone coverage. Waynes can do it all. The Vikings could use a player to keep up with Calvin Johnson Jr., Jordy Nelson and Alshon Jeffery and now they’ve got one.

Waynes has an excellent chance to become a starter right from the get-go. Lining up on the opposite side of Xavier Rhodes, who has a tremendous amount of potential, a 1-2 punch of Waynes and Rhodes would be scary. Considering that the defense already improved from 2013 to 2014, there’s no doubt that it’ll just keep improving with the former Spartan on the team.

Captain Munnerlyn would move to the slot role, and with Harrison Smith proving he’s a top safety, this secondary could be a force to be dealt with. Some comparing Waynes to Richard Sherman and Asante Samuel, the Vikings can only hope that he ends up as good as them. With the way the former Spartan performs, his ceiling can be as high as he wants it to be.

The Minnesota Vikings made a very smart choice with a cornerback with the 11th pick. Since it was more than likely their main concern coming into the draft, they won’t have to worry anymore. They acquired the man they wanted.

Now, it’s time for them to find an offensive lineman or a wide receiver if they really want to help out their young quarterback of the future. With the way things are going, Waynes, and rest of the Vikings will no longer be a 7-9 team.

Next: Vikings Draft Possible RB in Later Rounds?

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