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Minnesota Vikings Defender Mekhi Blackmon Delivers Strong Statement at OTAs on CB Room Concerns
Minnesota Vikings Defender Mekhi Blackmon Delivers Strong Statement at OTAs on CB Room Concerns originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Minnesota Vikings' OTAs were open to the media on Tuesday, and some players had to come to the defense of their roster.
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It's the second week for the Vikings at OTAs as this is voluntary workout for the players. This is an opportunity for new players and veterans to get back into game shape and establish a routine before training camp begins next month.
There have been questions surrounding the cornerback room after the team did not select one in the 2025 NFL Draft. One Vikings defensive back was not having any of the criticism of the room on social media.
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Mekhi Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Vikings cornerback Mekhi Blackmon spoke with the media on Tuesday where he shut down the social media talk of the cornerback room not looking as strong.
'We got a real good room this year. I see a lot of stuff on Twitter. We got a real good room from Zay, Jeff, you know we brought Theo back, TT. A lot of new guys coming in we got a real good room.'
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'Y'all know. A lot of people are concerned about our room. I would say we have a real good room. A lot of good people coming in.'
Blackmon is making a return to the field after missing all of last year with a torn ACL injury. He was originally a third-round pick of the Vikings back in 2023.
Some of those additions he was talking about were Jeff Okudah and Isaiah Rodgers, who entered their first year in Minnesota. Byron Murphy Jr. is the veteran in the room alongside Blackmon, who is expected to compete for a starting job.
At safety, Harrison Smith is the veteran and leader everyone knows as he is back for potentially his final season in the NFL. Josh Metellus is expected to compete for the other safety job.
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The concern with the room is that they lost their top cornerback, Stephon Gilmore, to free agency. This is a Vikings secondary that was the fifth worst against the pass in 2024, allowing 242 yards per game.
There is a ton of potential in the room, but it will all fall on how newcomers Okudah and Rodgers play. Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores has been high on Rodgers all offseason and sees him as an every-down starting corner.
OTAs are only in week two, so it's premature to come up with conclusions, but it's fair to say the Vikings' cornerback room has heard the criticism and is ready to prove the NFL wrong.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
