Cornerbacks seem plentiful in draft, but will Vikings pick one?

Whether the Vikings maintain a top-five pass defense may hinge on whether two promising young cornerbacks, Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander, are able to seize and handle starting roles.

Alexander, taken 54th overall last year, showed room for improvement in a turbulent 68 rookie snaps that included two flags for illegal contact. He needed groin surgery for a lingering issue after the season, but Alexander wasn't limited this week as the Vikings began the offseason program, a league source told the Star Tribune.

Now the path has been cleared for the talented cornerback entering his second season after veteran slot man Captain Munnerlyn left in free agency. All while the 26-year-old Xavier Rhodes, one of the league's best young corners, awaits an anticipated contract extension this summer.

But will Rick Spielman and Mike Zimmer be once again drawn to add more talent to the secondary? This draft class is widely considered loaded with talented cornerback and safety prospects.

"When I look at this draft on a whole, the things that jump out to me is just the depth we have in the secondary," said former NFL scout and NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah. "Especially corners is a really, really deep group, even though we've had a couple injuries at the position. Safeties is loaded."

The addition of a young talent from a "loaded" safety class might be more enticing for the Vikings. Safety Andrew Sendejo, who turns 30 in September, settled into the starting role but isn't quite the rangy center field type Zimmer has discussed pairing with Harrison Smith.

Strong value could be found in the later rounds of the draft to join three young Vikings reserves in Antone Exum Jr., Jayron Kearse and Anthony Harris. Intriguing safety prospects with range and ball skills include Texas A&M's Justin Evans, Utah's Marcus Williams, Washington's Budda Baker, N.C. State's Josh Jones and BYU's Kai Nacua.

Don't forget about: Terence Newman. He turns 39 in September and will be the NFL's eldest cornerback since Darrell Green extended his career to age 42 in 2002. But Newman has shown little sign of a drop-off after starting 10 games last season, stepping back only after a neck injury limited him. Newman will continue to push Waynes for a starting role on the outside and could be an emergency option in the slot.

Level of need: Moderate at safety. Low at cornerback.

Five prospects to remember: Evans; Williams; Baker; Jourdan Lewis, CB, Michigan; Dwayne Thomas, CB, LSU.