EAGAN, Minn. — At last, the Vikings have drafted a corner in 2019.

Minnesota opened its seventh-round slate of picks by drafting Texas cornerback Kris Boyd with the 217th overall pick.

Boyd started 33 of 51 career games for the Longhorns, totaling 191 tackles (141 solo). He recorded four interceptions, 40 passes defended, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.

Boyd also returned 18 kickoffs a total of 399 yards (22.2 per return) in his first three seasons in Austin.

The native of Gilmer, Texas, was named to the All-Big 12 Second Team by the Associated Press in 2017 and to the All-Big 12 First Team in 2018.

Boyd participated in the Reese's Senior Bowl and is a former teammate of 2018 Vikings rookie cornerback Holton Hill, who joined Minnesota a year ago as an undrafted free agent. Boyd and Hill were freshmen together in 2015.

The selection of Boyd marks the 11th consecutive draft in which Minnesota has drafted a cornerback.

Player Bio

Defensive back skills run in Boyd's family. His cousin, Curtis Brown, was an All-Big 12 defensive back for Texas. Another cousin, Bobby Taylor, was a defensive back at Notre Dame and an NFL Pro Bowler. Kris' brother, Demarco, must have not gotten the memo, as he suits up as a linebacker for the Longhorns. The top-10 cornerback prospect nationally and All-State pick from Gilmer, Texas stepped in to play in all 12 games as a reserve and on special teams in 2015 (16 tackles). Boyd moved into the starting line-up for the final eight games of his sophomore season, making 51 tackles, 1.5 for loss, intercepting one pass, and breaking up five others. In his junior campaign, Boyd started 12 of 13 games and collected 57 stops, two interceptions, and a team-high 15 pass breakups. He finished his career with the Longhorns in a flourish, receiving a first-team All-Big 12 nod after starting 13 of 14 games played and posting 67 tackles, 4.5 for loss, an interception, and 16 pass breakups (which tied for sixth-most in the FBS).

Overview

Big, corner who plays with adequate instincts and above-average aggression in disrupting the catch and supporting the run. Boyd's game is best suited in zone coverage where defensive coordinators can limit his exposure to speed/quickness and allow him to play downhill and with his eyes forward. He will be stronger than many opponents, but also less athletic than most. A move to safety could give him a better chance to succeed as a starter.

Strengths

• Big and strong for a cornerback
• Plays with toughness and attitude
• Good job with hands in bump-and-run
• Can give receivers a rough ride over first five yards
• Crowds and bodies up receivers downfield
• Takes good angles to play the catch-point
• Adequate downhill burst to close
• Active, strong hands make contested catches difficult
• Decent job at recognition from zone
• Willing, physical tackler who doesn't need help
• Strikes with heavy pads when he gets a shot
• Will track and tackle out of his area

Weaknesses

• Slow, clunky backpedal
• Tightly bundled hips and lacks fluidity
• Inconsistent lateral steps to adjust to receiver's release
• Too easy to shake from press for quick targets
• Labored hip flip in his transitions
• Recovery burst below average once beaten
• Lacks athleticism and closing burst to turn breakups into takeaways
• Glitchy with lateral movements from off-man
• Doesn't find football with back to it
• Prone to pass interference penalties downfield
• Inconsistent leverage against the run

Sources Tell Us

"In a weird way, I think he's become more mentally tough by playing against teams like Oklahoma and Oklahoma State and West Virginia. He's had ups and downs but I don't think he carries the mistakes with him like he used to." -- Regional scout with AFC team