Viktor
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- Mar 19, 2019
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As the 2020 season begins, there is a chance that Minnesota has three new starters at cornerback.
Hughes is the most experienced starter with five games, while Hill has four starts in his career.
And while no other cornerback on the Vikings roster has an NFL start, rookies Gladney and Dantzler fared well in training camp.
Vikings defensive backs coach Daronte Jones commented Sunday on a video conference with the Twin Cities media about the cornerbacks.
"So far the experience has been pretty good," Jones said. "You're always excited to work with a talented group like we have, the young corners.
"Not working with them in the offseason, you definitely were looking forward to it when we started the training camp," Jones added. "And they're trying to do everything that we're asking them to do, so it's been full of pleasure."
Frelund ranks Smith, Harris as top safety duo
While it may take the cornerbacks mentioned above some time to get up to speed this season, those players also have the luxury of playing with two great safeties.
In fact, Cynthia Frelund of NFL Network ranked the duo of Harrison Smith and Anthony Harris as the No. 1 safety tandem among all NFL teams.
Frelund compiled her rankings in video form, with Smith and Harris taking the top spot.
Smith has made five consecutive Pro Bowls, and Harris tied for the league lead with six interceptions in 2019.
Jones also mentioned how that duo has helped the entire secondary in camp.
"It's been great. The leadership that Anthony and Harrison have provided has been great. It's unspeakable," Jones said. "You can't really gauge that. Harrison, the years of service, taking these young guys under his belt. Sharing with them certain things that he's picked up along his way. Anthony Harris [is] doing the same thing.
"You watch how they're pulling these young guys aside and say, 'Hey, this has helped me in my career and maybe could help you in the future,'" Jones said. "Just being that mentor to the young guys has really taken a totally new aspect and approach to how they are bringing these guys along and helping us get better in that way."
Frelund ranked the Bears safeties at 15, the Lions at 17 and the Packers at 20.