5 players Vikings should draft in the first round

2. Trent McDuffie

McDuffie has taken advantage of Stingley’s slide to work his way into the conversation as the No. 2 cornerback in this draft class. The former Washington star doesn’t have the elite gifts that both Gardner and Stingley possess, but he had a really good collegiate season for the Huskies that has scouts intrigued with his skill set.

His ability to thrive in both man-to-man and zone schemes makes him an attractive proposition for the Vikings. They may need to feature a lot of scheme versatility next season to cover up some of their talent deficiencies on the defensive side of the ball. In particular, McDuffie should be a better zone corner than Stingley.

The downside to McDuffie as a prospect is that he just might not have the length or athleticism required to ever become a true No. 1 cornerback on the outside. He possesses a high floor as a prospect but his ceiling doesn’t give him enough room to become a bona fide star.

The reason he profiles higher on this list than Stingley is that he’s a safer, more malleable choice for a front office that can’t afford a high-profile miss. McDuffie will be a steady starter for a long time and that might be enough for the Vikings at No. 12.