NFL mock draft 2023: Vikings 7-round projection with trade up to No. 3 for Kirk Cousins replacement
60. CB. South Carolina. 3. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Darius Rush
Darius Rush could be a huge addition to a new-look Vikings secondary
Because of the T.J. Hockenson trade, the Vikings don’t have a second-round pick. The one downside of trading up from No. 23 is that they have to wait until the 87th overall pick to make the next selection for a roster that has undergone some key changes this offseason and, frankly, has some holes on it.
One area where that’s been highly evident is at cornerback, where Minnesota is clearly going to be adding talent in this year’s draft. They did sign Byron Murphy Jr. in order to help solidify the secondary with the departure of Patrick Peterson and with Cam Dantzler gone, but he and Andrew Booth Jr. — who was up-and-down as a rookie — aren’t accompanied by much depth that inspires confidence.
That’s where Darius Rush could be a tremendous value for this team in the third round. Most people came into the draft cycle talking about his South Carolina teammate, Cam Smith, but Rush has won fans by people just turning on the film.
Rush checks all of the boxes as a cornerback prospect with a 6-foot-2, 198-pound frame to go with solid long speed and good quickness. His footwork in terms of technique and his ability to press could use work, but this is a player with tools and ball skills that are evident on tape and in his production in college. It might even be a stretch to say he falls to this spot but, if he does, then it’s a massive win for Minnesota.