Looking for some Minnesota Vikings draft sleepers? Former NFLer-turned-Philadelphia Eagles executive-turned-ESPN analyst Louis Riddick has you covered. That man is cornerback Charles Demmings of Stephen F. Austin.
Demmings brings speed, length, and ball production to a cornerback room with long-term uncertainty.
Minnesota pulled Demmings out of Round 5 on Saturday, and he’s the best shot at a late-round prospect taking off, says Riddick.
Five years running, Riddick identifies players who he thinks will break out — call them unsung performers.
Time for the 5th annual list of my favorite non-first round prospects (tried to NOT select obvious 2nd rounders as well) from each team in the 2026 draft that could be a significant contributor/starter within the next 2-3 years:
Arizona: Chase Bisontis/OG/TX A&MAtlanta: Zachariah Branch/WR/UGABaltimore: Ja’Kobi Lane/WR/USCBuffalo: Kaleb Elarms-Orr/LB/TCUCarolina: Chris Brazzell/WR/TennChicago: Malik Muhammad/DC/TexasCincinnati: Tacario Davis/CB/WashCleveland: Taylen Green/QB/ArkansasDallas: Jaishawn Barham/Edge/MichDenver: Jonah Coleman/RB/WashDetroit: Keith Abney II/CB/AZ StateGrn Bay: Dani Dennis-Sutton/DL/PSUHouston: Wade Woodaz/LB/ClemsonIndy: Deion Burks/WR/OklahomaJax: Emmanuel Pregnon/OL/OregonKC: Jadon Canady/DB/OregonLas Vegas: Malik Benson/WR/OregonLAC: Brenen Thompson/WR/Miss St.LAR: CJ Daniels/WR/MiamiMiami: Kyle Louis/LB/PittMinn: Charles Demmings/CB/SFAustinNew England: Namdi Obiazor/LB/TCUNO Saints: Bryce Lance/WR/ND StateNY Giants: Malachi Fields/WR/NDameNY Jets: D’Angelo Ponds/CB/IndianaPhilly: Eli Stowers/TE/VanderbiltPitt: Gennings Dunker/OL/IowaSF: Ephesians Prysock/CB/WashSeattle: Bud Clark/DB/TCUTampa Bay: Keionte Scott/DB/MiamiTennessee: Anthony Hill Jr/LB/TexasWash: Antonio Williams/WR/Clemson
Quite a few of these players were intermixed in Vikings mock drafts from January to April.
Demmings has been a Viking for four days, so it’s time to learn about him before organized team activities (OTAs) get underway. He possesses an intriguing physical profile at 6’1,” and 195 pounds, complemented by a 4.41-second 40-yard dash. His impressive ball production, featuring nine college interceptions, immediately catches the eye.
On the field, his length is a clear asset in coverage, his tackling significantly improved at Stephen F. Austin, and he consistently stays attached to vertical threats downfield.
Concerns are straightforward: the level of competition he faced at Stephen F. Austin raises questions, and his tendency to get grabby will undoubtedly draw flags against NFL receivers.
The Ringer‘s Todd McShay on Demmings: “Demmings is a small-school playmaker with the frame, length, and speed to develop as a press corner and make the jump to the NFL. He’s strong enough to reroute receivers and fast enough to stay in phase when he wins at the line of scrimmage. He reads the receiver’s hands when he gets caught out of phase and is able to turn and locate the ball when he’s in phase.”
“He closes well driving on in-breaking and out-breaking routes in off coverage. He intercepted four passes in 2025 and finished his career with nine total. He can high-point the ball with his big hands and outstanding vertical jump. He tracks the ball well and flashes the ability to make over-the-shoulder catches.”
McShay added, “He’s not a fundamentally sound press corner at this point. He can overextend, shoot the wrong hand, and bite on the receiver’s first move at the line of scrimmage. His timed top-end speed is borderline outstanding, but he’s tight, and he doesn’t recover as well as those numbers might suggest.”
“He bites on double moves, and he can drift out of position in zone looks. Demmings may need time to refine his technique and adjust to the jump in competition, but he can provide depth at corner and develop into a no. 2. His frame, length, top-end speed, and physicality in coverage are reminiscent of 2022 fifth-round pick DaRon Bland.”
In 2025, the Vikings’ two main cornerbacks, Byron Murphy Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers, remained totally healthy. Neither missed a game. That probably won’t happen again. Or, at the very least, the Vikings can’t assume that full health is the new normal. Hope for the best, plan for the worst.
If that happens, Minnesota will first turn to veteran James Pierre, signed by the team in free agency from the Pittsburgh Steelers, courtesy of new Vikings secondary coach Gerald Alexander, who worked with Pierre last season in Pittsburgh. After Pierre? That would be Demmings, unless the Vikings re-sign Fabian Moreau, who played wonderfully as a CB3 last season.
So long as Demmings isn’t overwhelmed this summer, he has a path to playing time as the Vikings’ CB4 in 2026.
Minnesota also onboarded 19 undrafted free agents after the draft, including a few cornerbacks.
Demmings began playing football in seventh grade. A little late to the party, but it obviously worked out.