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Again within the 2020 season, the Vikings opted to maintain issues modest for Justin Jefferson to start his NFL profession. The Vikings rookie at WR was tasked with filling Stefon Diggs’ cleats. Greatest to carry the younger lad alongside slowly.
However then actuality hit.
Bisi Johnson had been working because the WR2 behind Adam Thielen till damage ruined the possibility at having the ability to take action. Jefferson obtained tossed into that Week 3 Tennessee Titans recreation. Fireworks went off and Jefferson has by no means regarded again.
Proper now, the Vikings don’t have a younger star within the constructing who’s more likely to get to that Jefferson stage. By definition, being a historic expertise is exceedingly uncommon. However what of the keenness for nook Charles Demmings? Can the younger nook proceed together with his early momentum? Johnson couldn’t decelerate Jefferson for lengthy; possibly Demmings can do one thing related.
Vikings Rookie Charles Demmings Retains Hype Going
Mr. Demmings stands at 6’1″ and weighs roughly 195 kilos. He thrives in press and affords 4.4 wheels. Getting him within the fifth Spherical was doable because of taking part in at a small faculty.
Take a look at what Jeff Diamond needed to say within the former GM’s evaluation for Vikings Territory: “This fifth-round pick is making an impact with his physical coverage skills at training camp, He comes out of small school Stephen F. Austin but I’m impressed that he’s not intimidated in his first NFL camp which we saw when he put a big hit on vet WR Jauan Jennings in practice this week.”
Jan 29, 2026; Cellular, AL, USA; Nationwide large receiver Reggie Virgil (15) of Texas Tech grabs a go over Nationwide cornerback Charles Demmings (16) of Stephen F. Austin throughout Nationwide Senior Bowl follow at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Pictures
Diamond’s sense of the depth chart: “Demmings could push vet free agent signee James Pierre for the third corner or at least become the fourth corner who gets play time in certain defensive schemes and in the event of injury to the other corners.”
A remaining perception from the previous GM: “He’s a 4.4 guy with good size at 6-1, 193 pounds who can run with wide receivers and should be able to play the run. Demmings will get good battle testing trying to cover the Vikings talented WR corps in camp and he’ll be worth watching when he plays a lot in preseason games. He should be another special teams standout. There have been a lot of late-round corners who wound up being great players. Perhaps Demmings can be such a player.”
Maybe, certainly.
An NFL nook can not have skinny pores and skin. Making a mistake is exceedingly apparent, a lot in order that even informal followers can see the gaffe in actual time. Whoever is out at nook subsequently must be a high-compete participant who doesn’t lose confidence after shedding a rep.
Demmings nonetheless has an extended approach to go earlier than arriving at that spot, however he’s been elevating eyebrows. The clip immediately above options Thor Nystrom providing his early evaluation of Demmings, noting that the rookie is getting some run with the first-team protection. That’s not a small element, people.
Dec 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (7), cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (2) and defensive sort out Jalen Redmond (61) sort out Dallas Cowboys large receiver Ryan Flournoy (19) through the first half at AT&T Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Pictures – Credit score: IMAGN IMAGES by way of Reuters Join
Getting labored in among the many starters isn’t cause to throw a celebratory parade. Nonetheless, that’s a great replace because it means that he’s not buried on the depth chart. The CB4 will get work with the 1s, not the CB10.
The Vikings haven’t had a real CB1 since Xavier Rhodes. Again in 2017, Rhodes might get tasked with lining up throughout from the opposite aspect’s WR1 and win the day. That’s of immense worth because it helps to tilt the numbers benefit again in direction of the protection.
Charles Demmings is a good distance off from proving to be that participant. In actual fact, he’s not possible to get there. Most 1st-Spherical corners don’t get to an identical stage of Rhodes, who was an All Professional and Defensive Participant of the Yr candidate. What’s not unsure, although, is that getting that man — a real island nook — is of immense worth.
Including any individual akin to James Pierre means inserting a hurdle into the competitors. The plan entails the younger fella growing slowly whereas the elder statesman will get the job completed within the speedy. Pierre is principally a roadblock in entrance of the rookie’s taking part in time. Does Demmings decelerate in any respect as he speeds towards Week 1? Or, maybe, does Demmings hold gathering velocity as he bursts via the corners forward of him?
Nov 16, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre (42) celebrates with cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) after scoring a landing towards the Cincinnati Bengals through the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Barry Reeger-Imagn Pictures
Demmings, 23, will get again to work later right now at Vikings coaching camp.
Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Electronic mail: ok.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.
