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Minnesota Vikings cornerback Charles Demmings leans into a coordination-board activity during offseason work in Eagan, joining teammates for a light competition designed to test balance and reaction timing. In spring 2026, Demmings participated in the drill as Minnesota blended team bonding with developmental reps inside its first-year defensive back group before training camp later that summer. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.
The Minnesota Vikings welcomed about 35 new players this offseason, and before the regular season, which is about nine weeks away, you should get to know the name Charles Demmings.
The 5th-Round cornerback is turning heads in Vikings circles and leaguewide, so much so that SI.com identified him as an overlooked steal heading into training camp.
Brian Flores Has the Ideal Room for Demmings to Develop
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Stephen F. Austin cornerback Charles Demmings shadows Baylor wide receiver Josh Cameron during National Team practice at Hancock Whitney Stadium, staying tight through the route in Mobile. On Jan. 29, 2026, Demmings worked through Senior Bowl drills in front of NFL evaluators while strengthening his case as a developmental outside cornerback. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images.
Justin Melo: You Cannot Overlook Demmings
Melo of SI.com sized up one overlooked rookie from each position, with Demmings getting the nod at cornerback.
“Charles Demmings became the first Stephen F. Austin player in Senior Bowl history. He was outstanding in Mobile, proving he could compete with wide receivers from bigger programs. He’s foot 6-foot-1 with terrific length (32-inch arms) and a competitive streak with incredible toughness and desire,” Melo wrote.
“Demmings wants to play press-man coverage and possesses the feet and mirroring skills necessary to thrive in man-to-man looks.”
How’d Demmings land with the Vikings? Well, last summer, Minnesota sent quarterback Sam Howell to the Philadelphia Eagles in a deal involving a 5th-Round pick. That turned out to be Demmings when it was all said and done.
A Perfect CB Room to Shine
Are the Vikings’ current cornerbacks good? Yes — but not stellar. The group is headlined by Byron Murphy Jr., who reached the Pro Bowl in 2024, Isaiah Rodgers, one of the fastest players in the NFL, and newcomer James Pierre, who fired up an 86.8 Pro Football Focus grade with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025.
Those three form a solid cornerback unit and one that defensive coordinator Brian Flores will unleash successfully. Yet, for a hungry rookie like Demmings, the pecking order is not insurmountable. In fact, Demmings is one injury away from showtime, and because of his age and upside, could grab a CB1, CB2, or CB3 job and make it his own.
The Vikings are also wildly overdue to connect on an organically drafted cornerback. The last productive ones were Xavier Rhodes in 2013, Trae Waynes in 2015, and Mackensie Alexander in 2016. A guy like Demmings could end the madness.
The Scouting Report
Here’s how NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein scouted Demmings earlier this year: “Demmings is capable of mixing into a variety of coverages but is at his best starting from a press look. He has the hips/feet to match route breaks and the speed to stay with routes as they unfold.”
“His recognition and instincts are average from off coverages and he can be a step slow to drive on throws in front of him. While Demmings lacks ideal play strength and is not a firm tackler, his ball skills and man-cover consistency could land him a roster spot as a future CB4 with gunner potential.”
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Stephen F. Austin defensive back Charles Demmings secures an interception against Jacksonville State during the FCS Kickoff at Cramton Bowl, creating an early takeaway for the Lumberjacks. On Aug. 27, 2022, Demmings made the play in Montgomery as Stephen F. Austin battled the Gamecocks during a close season-opening matchup. Mandatory Credit: Jake Crandall-Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK.
For comparisons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers CB Zyon McCollum is arguably the best for Demmings. Both entered the league as long, explosive FCS corners with exceptional testing numbers and a proven ability to make plays on the ball. McCollum took some time to develop into a solid NFL starter. Demmings could follow a similar path, beginning on special teams before earning an opportunity to play outside corner for Minnesota.
Demmings could also reasonably be compared to Paulson Adebo and Alontae Taylor.
Not the First Bit of Hype
After the draft, former NFLer Louis Riddick name-dropped Demmings as an undercover rookie who could bust out.
The Athletic‘s Dane Brugler also noted on Demmings, “Day 3 pick who could surprise: Charles Demmings, CB, Stephen F. Austin. Aside from Demmings always being a great quote, he leaves everything he has on the field. With his cover athleticism and mental toughness, Demmings was a worthy bet in the fifth round, and he landed with a team that needed cornerback depth.”
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Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores addresses reporters during a late-season media session, discussing the Green Bay finale and the organization’s direction beyond the regular season. On Dec. 30, 2025, Flores also spoke about veteran safety Harrison Smith and questions surrounding his own future with Minnesota after another year coordinating one of the league’s most aggressive units. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.
So, if you’re keeping score of the Demmings hype train at home, that’s Louis Riddick, Dane Brugler, and Justin Melo.
Our Brevan Bane even declared a couple of weeks ago: “Charles Demmings is the future CB1 of the Vikings. I fully expect Demmings to be the CB4 behind Murphy Jr., Rodgers Sr., and Pierre. This means that Demmings would get a decent little amount of reps on the field. There will also likely be reps for Demmings on special teams as a gunner.”
“Demmings has all the tools to become a starter one day, and Minnesota got him in the fifth round. Sure, it’s a long shot to predict something as crazy as this, but I don’t think it’s that crazy. When you do this job, you have to choose your hills, and this seems like a nice one to die on.”
Demmings turned 23 in April.
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