Dec 22, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Minnesota Vikings security Theo Jackson (26, second from proper) leads a dance with cornerback Shaquill Griffin (1), security Camryn Bynum (24), security Josh Metellus (44), defensive deal with Harrison Phillips (97) and cornerback Dwight McGlothern (29) following his interception towards the Seattle Seahawks in the course of the fourth quarter at Lumen Area. Necessary Credit score: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Photos
In Dwight McGlothern, the Vikings have any individual who boasts upside however who wants additional refinement. At what level does that perception in future progress must shift towards investing in one other participant?
The Vikings nook has already overcome lengthy odds. As an undrafted rookie, McGlothern made the roster, however was seldom used as a result of 4 veterans forward of him (Byron Murphy Jr., Stephon Gilmore, Shaq Griffin, and Fabian Moreau). As a sophomore, McGlothern but once more made the ultimate roster, however was once more buried behind a number of veterans (Murphy, Isaiah Rodgers, and Jeff Okudah). Seeing that development proceed seems unlikely.
The Tall & Quick Vikings Nook Must Battle
Nicknamed “Nudie,” Mr. McGlothern affords rather a lot to love (together with a unbelievable nickname).
He stands at 6’2″ and weighs 185 kilos. Mainly, tremendous lengthy however not as sturdy as somebody like Xavier Rhodes (listed at 6’1″ and 218 kilos). Boasting his construct means (in idea) having the ability to grasp with tall exterior receivers. To this point, the Vikings haven’t given him the possibility to take action. Be aware that he ran a 4.47 forty. That’s not extraordinary velocity, but it surely’s superb. In a tough sense, that velocity is a contact higher than Murphy however not as formidable as Rodgers.
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Dwight McGlothern (6) breaks up a move to Cincinnati Bengals extensive receiver Tee Higgins (5) within the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 3 sport between the Minnesota Vikings and the Cincinnati Bengals at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. The Vikings received, 48-10. © Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK through Imagn Photos
As a rookie in 2024, Dwight McGlothern earned 19 snaps on protection and simply 17 snaps on particular groups. He then had 31 snaps on protection in 2025 whereas providing 20 snaps for Matt Daniels on specials.
For a wide range of causes, these snap totals are fairly odd.
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Seeing a younger fella — particularly an undrafted participant — fail to earn a beefy workload early on isn’t unusual. What’s unusual, although, is carving out a roster spot for this participant when there’s not a particular groups job. Most youthful gamers ply their commerce on specials whereas making an attempt to earn extra snaps on both offense or protection. Not so with McGlothern.
One way or the other, the Vikings nook has caught round whereas providing a negligible workload for protection and particular groups. How lengthy can that proceed?
In idea, McGlothern’s huge likelihood arrived final yr. Very sadly, Mr. Okudah but once more went down attributable to damage. Minnesota’s deliberate CB3 needed to step away to get again to full well being. The one different nook on the energetic roster was McGlothern, however Minnesota opted to bump up Moreau from the apply squad to deal with the job, bypassing the built-in roster answer.
Curiouser and curiouser, some literary of us might say.
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Dwight McGlothern (6) reacts after recording a second-half sack on Sep. 21, 2025, towards the Cincinnati Bengals at U.S. Financial institution Stadium, celebrating as defenders gathered across the play. The burst by way of the pocket marked certainly one of Minnesota’s sharper defensive moments throughout a stretch constructed on strain and fast disruption in key downs. Necessary Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Photos.
As 2026 retains transferring alongside, Dwight McGlothern faces a recent spherical of competitors. Worse but, many of those guys look similar to him: lengthy, speedy corners.
Most distinguished have been the additions of James Pierre and Chuck Demmings. Neither of those two are going to be subtracted. All issues being equal, Pierre and Demmings are transferring towards spots on the 53-man roster. In that case, then that leaves McGlothern in a troublesome place since final yr’s ultimate workforce solely had 4 corners. The quartet of Murphy, Rodgers, Pierre, and Demmings would chew by way of these open slots if the Vikings once more roll with 4.
McGlothern’s job is to indicate {that a} fifth participant is worthy of retaining. Doing so with out being a particular groups contributor looks like a tall ask for the soon-to-be third-year participant. Can any of Zemaiah Vaughn, Marcus Allen, or among the different younger fellas show able to being that upside nook to develop?
Dwight McGlothern is 24.
Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. E mail: okay.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.
