College football analyst LOVES cornerback for the Vikings in the draft

In this episode of Purple Insider, host and college football analyst Joe DeLeon discuss the 2026 NFL Draft with a focus on positional value, player evaluation, and strategic drafting for the Minnesota Vikings. DeLeon argues that this year’s draft class defies traditional norms, with elite talent emerging at positions like safety, linebacker, and cornerback—typically undervalued in the draft. He emphasizes that while positional scarcity and depth matter, the true differentiator is identifying rare, game-altering players, especially at cornerback, where elite coverage talent is scarce and highly impactful. DeLeon champions Jermon McCoy as a potential first-round steal despite medical concerns from his ACL injury, praising his pro day performance and elite athleticism. He also advocates for Mike Washington as a high-upside running back who could provide the Vikings with much-needed explosiveness. The conversation underscores the importance of balancing risk and reward, especially when targeting premium players who can elevate a team’s entire defense or offense.