One of the most interesting roster battles happening this offseason for the Minnesota Vikings is in the cornerback room. Two of the starting roles should go to Byron Murphy Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers, respectively, but the depth behind them is currently in question. However, Dwight McGlothern has been patiently waiting in the wings since 2024 and has a prime opportunity to seize some playing time this season.
Let’s dive into why 2026 can be a make-or-break year for McGlothern.
In 2025, injuries stretched Minnesota dangerously thin at cornerback, and the team had to lean on veteran Fabian Moreau for significant playing time. Moreau, 32, played admirably when thrust into action, but was a short-term fix.
Beyond that, the Vikings asked a handful of their star secondary players, like Murphy Jr. and Josh Metellus, to play outside their roles, which they have excelled at over the past few seasons. Because of all of this, many draft experts had the Vikings taking a cornerback early in this year’s draft.
Minnesota ended up not taking a cornerback until Charles Demmings in the fifth round out of Stephen F. Austin. However, the team also signed James Pierre, an underrated player with connections to Brian Flores, this offseason. So where does this leave McGlothern?
The third-year corner is facing an uphill battle this season to make the 53-man roster, but that’s nothing new for the UDFA out of the University of Arkansas. After making Second Team All-SEC for the Razorbacks in 2022 and going undrafted, McGlothern made Minnesota’s initial Week 1 roster in 2024 after an impressive preseason showing and appeared in five games during the season. He then followed it up by appearing in 10 games this past season.
McGlothern has a clear advantage over his competition this offseason: familiarity with the system. His main battle for a roster spot will involve competing against Pierre and Demmings, as well as promising 2025 UDFA Zemaiah Vaughn. As mentioned, McGlothern has the most experience in the Brian Flores system among the predicted group. However, he also has big-play ability, a trait Flores desires in all his players.
McGlothern has shown this playmaking ability in the preseason, especially in 2024, when he returned an interception 90 yards the other way against the Cleveland Browns.
Flores also has a type when it comes to scouting cornerbacks: lengthy athletes who can pounce on throws in his zone-heavy scheme. That comes in handy specifically on the outside corner roles.
McGlothern and all the players mentioned possess elite length and have experience in zone coverage schemes. Ideally, McGlothern would step into the outside corner role going into his third season with the squad. That would help Murphy shift back into his nickel role where he earned Pro Bowl honors in 2024.
“Nudie” is also only 24 years old, which is significantly younger than Pierre, 29.
Looking at last season’s overall roster construction, the Vikings typically carried four cornerbacks on the active roster. McGlothern will need to prove he has taken the next step in his development to obtain one of those spots or at least convince the team they need five corners on the roster. Another factor to consider is that Flores likes to use safeties in versatile roles, which includes some typical cornerback responsibilities.
A lot is working against Dwight McGlothern on paper going into the season. However, the talent is clearly there, and the opportunity is ripe for the taking. The Vikings need young players to step up, and McGlothern should be ready after two years in Flores’ system.
