Minnesota Vikings cornerback Charles Demmings leans right into a coordination-board exercise throughout offseason work in Eagan, becoming a member of teammates for a lightweight competitors designed to check steadiness and response timing. In spring 2026, Demmings participated within the drill as Minnesota blended crew bonding with developmental reps inside its first-year defensive again group earlier than coaching camp later that summer season. Necessary Credit score: YouTube.
The Minnesota Vikings welcomed about 35 new gamers this offseason, and earlier than the common season, which is about 9 weeks away, it is best to get to know the identify Charles Demmings.
The Fifth-Spherical cornerback is popping heads in Vikings circles and leaguewide, a lot in order that SI.com recognized him as an neglected steal heading into coaching camp.
Brian Flores Has the Superb Room for Demmings to Develop
Stephen F. Austin cornerback Charles Demmings shadows Baylor extensive receiver Josh Cameron throughout Nationwide Group observe at Hancock Whitney Stadium, staying tight by means of the route in Cell. On Jan. 29, 2026, Demmings labored by means of Senior Bowl drills in entrance of NFL evaluators whereas strengthening his case as a developmental exterior cornerback. Necessary Credit score: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Photos.
Justin Melo: You Can’t Overlook Demmings
Melo of SI.com sized up one neglected rookie from every place, with Demmings getting the nod at cornerback.
“Charles Demmings became the first Stephen F. Austin player in Senior Bowl history. He was outstanding in Mobile, proving he could compete with wide receivers from bigger programs. He’s foot 6-foot-1 with terrific length (32-inch arms) and a competitive streak with incredible toughness and desire,” Melo wrote.
“Demmings wants to play press-man coverage and possesses the feet and mirroring skills necessary to thrive in man-to-man looks.”
How’d Demmings land with the Vikings? Effectively, final summer season, Minnesota despatched quarterback Sam Howell to the Philadelphia Eagles in a deal involving a Fifth-Spherical choose. That turned out to be Demmings when it was all stated and performed.
A Excellent CB Room to Shine
Are the Vikings’ present cornerbacks good? Sure — however not stellar. The group is headlined by Byron Murphy Jr., who reached the Professional Bowl in 2024, Isaiah Rodgers, one of many quickest gamers within the NFL, and newcomer James Pierre, who fired up an 86.8 Professional Soccer Focus grade with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025.
These three kind a stable cornerback unit and one which defensive coordinator Brian Flores will unleash efficiently. But, for a hungry rookie like Demmings, the pecking order will not be insurmountable. In reality, Demmings is one harm away from showtime, and due to his age and upside, may seize a CB1, CB2, or CB3 job and make it his personal.
The Vikings are additionally wildly overdue to attach on an organically drafted cornerback. The final productive ones have been Xavier Rhodes in 2013, Trae Waynes in 2015, and Mackensie Alexander in 2016. A man like Demmings may finish the insanity.
The Scouting Report
Right here’s how NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein scouted Demmings earlier this 12 months: “Demmings is capable of mixing into a variety of coverages but is at his best starting from a press look. He has the hips/feet to match route breaks and the speed to stay with routes as they unfold.”
“His recognition and instincts are average from off coverages and he can be a step slow to drive on throws in front of him. While Demmings lacks ideal play strength and is not a firm tackler, his ball skills and man-cover consistency could land him a roster spot as a future CB4 with gunner potential.”
Stephen F. Austin defensive again Charles Demmings secures an interception towards Jacksonville State throughout the FCS Kickoff at Cramton Bowl, creating an early takeaway for the Lumberjacks. On Aug. 27, 2022, Demmings made the play in Montgomery as Stephen F. Austin battled the Gamecocks throughout a detailed season-opening matchup. Necessary Credit score: Jake Crandall-Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK.
For comparisons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers CB Zyon McCollum is arguably the very best for Demmings. Each entered the league as lengthy, explosive FCS corners with distinctive testing numbers and a confirmed skill to make performs on the ball. McCollum took a while to develop right into a stable NFL starter. Demmings may observe an analogous path, starting on particular groups earlier than incomes a possibility to play exterior nook for Minnesota.
Demmings may additionally fairly be in comparison with Paulson Adebo and Alontae Taylor.
Not the First Little bit of Hype
After the draft, former NFLer Louis Riddick name-dropped Demmings as an undercover rookie who may bust out.
The Athletic‘s Dane Brugler additionally famous on Demmings, “Day 3 pick who could surprise: Charles Demmings, CB, Stephen F. Austin. Aside from Demmings always being a great quote, he leaves everything he has on the field. With his cover athleticism and mental toughness, Demmings was a worthy bet in the fifth round, and he landed with a team that needed cornerback depth.”
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores addresses reporters throughout a late-season media session, discussing the Inexperienced Bay finale and the group’s course past the common season. On Dec. 30, 2025, Flores additionally spoke about veteran security Harrison Smith and questions surrounding his personal future with Minnesota after one other 12 months coordinating one of many league’s most aggressive models. Necessary Credit score: YouTube.
So, if you happen to’re holding rating of the Demmings hype prepare at residence, that’s Louis Riddick, Dane Brugler, and Justin Melo.
Our Brevan Bane even declared a few weeks in the past: “Charles Demmings is the future CB1 of the Vikings. I fully expect Demmings to be the CB4 behind Murphy Jr., Rodgers Sr., and Pierre. This means that Demmings would get a decent little amount of reps on the field. There will also likely be reps for Demmings on special teams as a gunner.”
“Demmings has all the tools to become a starter one day, and Minnesota got him in the fifth round. Sure, it’s a long shot to predict something as crazy as this, but I don’t think it’s that crazy. When you do this job, you have to choose your hills, and this seems like a nice one to die on.”
Demmings turned 23 in April.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
