The Hyped Vikings Rookie Has Been Leapfrogged on Depth Chart

During the summer months, corner Chuck Demmings was a much hyped Vikings rookie. He now appears to have been leapfrogged on the depth chart, overcome by undrafted sophomore Zemaiah Vaughn.

At first, the issue was that Demmings got hurt, creating a need to turn from the CB4 (Demmings) to the CB5 (Vaughn). Vaughn then did terrific work on specials, proving to be a menace on special teams as he looked long and speedy as a gunner. He has retained that job while Demmings isn’t dressing. As a result, the CB4 and CB5 to begin the season appear to have switched places.

Vikings Rookie Surpassed on CB Depth Chart

In Zemaiah Vaughn, the Vikings boast somebody who looks quite similar to stud CB3 James Pierre.

The former Steeler was a savvy pickup in March, agreeing to a two-year deal for just $8.5 million. Pretty easily, Pierre has been outperforming that contract across the opening half of his debut season as a Viking. Pierre’s stats show a ball player sitting atop 23 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 4 passes defended.

Much of the appeal with Pierre flows from his build at 6’2″ and 185 pounds. Better yet, he moves well and often brings some bad intentions with him into contact, making him a nice matchup piece within the broader defensive effort.

At 6’3″ and 180 pounds — but perhaps heavier than his listed weight due to packing on muscle during the offseason — Vaughn is quite similar to Pierre. Mirroring the elder statesman would be a nice development for the undrafted talent who got added in 2025. Indeed, Vaughn should watch how Pierre plays and seek to do likewise.

Already, Vaughn has been overcome previously entrenched talent. Dwight McGlothern, who goes by the nickname “Nudie,” had been that long-and-strong undrafted corner demanding a spot as the depth corner. Vaughn surpassed him before now overcoming Demmings.

What does that mean? Well, at least a couple of things.

Vaughn’s ascent is a positive development for a player who evidently isn’t allergic to work. Putting in time to build up his body before then shining for Matt Daniels on specials is impressive, especially with Minnesota doing so much to add corners of a similar body type in Demmings and Pierre. The fact that Vaughn has been ascending within that context is impressive.

But then there’s the more negative end of things: Chuck Demmings tumbling down a spot. In time, the rookie will get worked back into the mix. I, for one, came away impressed by him when getting out to the Twin Cities for practice at TCO in June and in August; Demmings is going to be just fine. In the short term, though, he’s sitting in a more modest spot.

In the meantime, the Vikings appear ready to keep shifting more work onto Zemaiah Vaughn. The young corner is sitting atop 3 snaps on defense and 41 snaps on specials, a total that appears likely to continue growing due to his status as Minnesota’s CB4. He has a single tackle.

A sneaky detail to monitor: does Flores start leaning on a four-corner look at some point? Currently, the safety talent hasn’t been good enough. A trade is possible but not a locked-in reality (keep your eye on Camryn Bynum). Maybe opting for Vaughn along the outside while Byron Murphy and/or Isaiah Rodgers get tasked with more of a safety-style responsibility could be in order.

Next up on the Vikings’ schedule is the Buffalo Bills, a squad that’s among the best teams in the NFL.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.