The Minnesota Vikings have drafted Virginia Tech cornerback Antone Exum with the 182nd pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. Exum ranked No. 56 overall among prospects on SB Nation's top 200 big board and sixth among all cornerbacks.
NFL Draft results 2014: Antone Exum taken by Vikings in Round 6
Exum is a promising corner out of Virginia Tech.
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Exum was an honorable mention All-ACC player in 2011, and was named second-team All-ACC in 2012. His 2013 season was shortened by injury, however. He suffered a torn ACL and lateral meniscus in his right knee during a pickup basketball game in January 2013, and had to miss multiple games due to the injury.
He returned and started three games later in the year before spraining his ankle, which caused him to miss the rest of the 2013 season. He only started and played in three games in total. He missed two games after being cleared by Dr. James Andrews, which was a little confusing at the time. He missed the final two games and the Sun Bowl due to the second injury.
Still, Exum was very good in 2012, earning the aforementioned honors and then some (SI.com's All-Bowl Team, SI.com Honorable Mention All-American). He started all 13 games in 2012, playing in over 900 plays, with five interceptions and 16 passes defensed. He had 48 tackles and 1.5 for loss.
Exum had a solid showing at the NFL Scouting Combine, but there are still significant concerns about his health. Missing that chunk of time really hurt his draft stock, and figuring out where his ceiling is has been a point of contention among scouts. At this point, he seems more like a nickel corner or depth player. He may be better suited for safety.
Combine results
Height: 6’0
Weight: 213 pounds
40-yard dash: 4.59 seconds
Bench press: 17 reps
Vertical jump: 35”
Broad jump: 9’9
20-yard shuttle: 4.13 seconds
3-cone drill: 7.05 seconds
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