MANKATO, Minn. — Trae Waynes had his best day of training camp with some special visitors in attendance.
Waynes picked off quarterback Teddy Bridgewater in a team drill as his parents, Ron and Erin, watched from the sideline.
"It's great but it's nothing out of the ordinary," Waynes said. "It's something they've done ever since I was a little kid.
"They always showed up to practices (and) games, so it really doesn't sidetrack me that much," he added.
The 24-year-old cornerback was strong in both team and individual drills as the Vikings completed their sixth day of practice and fourth in full pads.
And with the Vikings giving 37-year-old cornerback Terence Newman some rest, Waynes took advantage of his first-team reps.
His best play came matched up against Stefon Diggs.
Waynes reacted quickly and snagged it for an interception.
That type of play is exactly what Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer is looking for from the 2015 first-round pick, especially the ability to finish the play.
"He's getting better," Zimmer said of Waynes. "He's had a good couple of days here, and is really trying to work on the things we're coaching him to do and be more aggressive.
"Where he needs to continue to get better is being aggressive at the top of the route, when the guys are making their breaks and things like that," Zimmer continued. "That's where he makes the money," he added. "We can cover them, but if we're not finishing the play, that's where he needs to do better."
When asked what he saw on the play, the reserved Waynes simply said, "Pass."
Waynes said closing on breaks is something he focuses on during solo drills. He said he's leaning on Zimmer and Newman for advice entering his second season in the pros.
"I'm still learning," Waynes said. "I was joking around with Terence the other day that I still have a lot to learn from him.
"I am getting more comfortable with the defense coming into my second year and I'm a lot more comfortable with the playbook, as well," he added.
Waynes led the Vikings with 14 special teams tackles last season and added an interception in Minnesota's Wild Card game against Seattle.
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