A Minnesota Vikings fan greets other fans in front of the NFL Draft stage during the NFL Draft second and third rounds on Friday, April 26, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn.
Nas Nfl Friday 004
The Minnesota Vikings have tried many different cornerback combinations this decade, but after the departures of Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes in the 2020 offseason, the corner play hasn’t been fun to watch. Once again, the group has undergone a transformation this offseason.
Unknown Vikings Defender Is Finally Getting Some Attention
Byron Murphy Jr. was re-signed and will continue to be the team’s CB1. Stephon Gilmore, Shaq Griffin, and Fabian Moreau exited the building in March, leaving the next three spots on the depth chart up for grabs.
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley (0) can’t haul in a reception as San Francisco 49ers cornerback Ambry Thomas (20) pressures during the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 34-3. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Most pencil free agent addition Isaiah Rodgers into the CB2 slot. Mekhi Blackmon (who’s returning from his torn ACL) and Jeff Okudah (a former third overall pick in potentially his last chance) are commonly looked at as the CB3 and CB4. It might be time to pay some attention to a man called Ambry Thomas, who’s buried somewhere in the crowded cornerback room.
Who’s Ambry Thomas?
Ambry Thomas entered the league in the 2021 draft and was a third-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers. He spent his collegiate days at Michigan, playing in the secondary with Joshua Metellus, who is a well-known commodity in the Twin Cities. Noteworthy is that Thomas opted out of the 2020 season and was still a third-rounder in 2021, showing that there is undoubtedly some talent.
Michigan State wide receiver Cody White reaches with the ball into the end zone as Michigan safety Josh Metellus (14) and cornerback Ambry Thomas tackle him in the first quarter of Michigan Stadium on Nov. 16, 2019.
In the pre-draft process, he was measured at close to 6 feet, and he ran a 4.4 40-yard dash. Thomas appeared in 12 games in his debut season, and he started five of them. He was a rotational defender, playing 333 defensive snaps and 101 on special teams.
As a sophomore, Thomas was demoted and only played 47 defensive snaps in 15 games all year. In 2023, however, he once again played in 15 games but logged about half of the team’s defensive snaps (481). That season, he received a solid PFF grade of 71.5.
Last preseason, Thomas suffered a broken forearm and was placed on IR. In December, the 49ers released him, and the Colts claimed him off waivers. After failing his physical, he signed with Minnesota’s practice squad, and later, he accepted a futures deal from the Vikings.
Thomas never fully broke into San Francisco’s starting lineup, but he played 855 snaps on a stacked defense and even appeared in five postseason games, including a Super Bowl against Patrick Mahomes. Super Bowl contenders usually don’t have poor players on the field, so that’s worth something.
Why the Buzz?
For about five months, he has barely been noticed on Minnesota’s roster, viewed as a generic practice squad guy, but his resume shows he isn’t that random at all and has already gotten some experience in the NFL.
Nov 19, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White (1) catches a pass against San Francisco 49ers cornerback Ambry Thomas (20) during the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Vikings media member and former NFL player and coach, Ron Johnson, created the recent buzz. The former receiver is also a Golden Gopher great.
He wrote on social media: “Vikings fans … early thoughts on the defense. Brian Flores has a competition at CB w/ eff Okudah, Isaiah Rodgers & Ambry Thomas. Keep an eye on Ambry Thomas. CB out of Michigan. Started for the 49ers. Got hurt, but just a lower arm injury. Surgery, rested & now healthy. The Vikings may still try to sign a veteran like they did with Stephon Gilmore last season. But if they can’t come to an agreement w/someone Ambry Thomas has the pedigree to be a starter in the NFL. I’d say it’s between him & Isaiah Rodgers.”
Both Johnson and Thomas are from Detroit, Michigan, and the former receiver might know a thing or two about the defender.
Thomas’ Competition
Thomas’ first task will be to qualify for the 53-man roster. The Vikings have 11 cornerbacks under contract for 5-7 spots.
Byron Murphy Jr.
Isaiah Rodgers
Mekhi Blackmon
Jeff Okudah
Tavierre Thomas
Dwight McGlothern
Ambry Thomas
Kahlef Hailassie
Reddy Steward
Keenan Garber
Zemaiah Vaughn
The first four are likely safe due to their contract structures and pedigree. But then, it might be a fun competition to monitor throughout spring and summer.
Aug 24, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Dwight McGlothern (47) tackles Philadelphia Eagles running back Kendall Milton (36) during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Caean Couto-USA TODAY Sports
McGlothern starred for Minnesota’s preseason squad last year and was kept on the roster all year, indicating that the coaching staff sees potential. Garber and Vaughn are undrafted rookies, while Steward was an undrafted player last year, and Hailassie in 2023.
Tavierre Thomas is a veteran special-teams ace and depth cornerback.
Ambry Thomas certainly has a chance to compete. He’s more than just a camp body, and he will get the chance to reclaim a roster spot this offseason and possibly even compete for a rotational role. He is still only 25 years old.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
