Robert

Blanton

A very physical defensive back at Notre Dame, Blanton prefers to jam at the line of scrimmage and stay in the receiver’s hip pocket. However, Blanton struggles in off man coverage to when forced to turn his hips and react to breaking routes. He is a great fit in the Vikings’ cover two defense and consistently makes tackles at the line of scrimmage. Blanton could see slot cornerback snaps as a rookie.

It was initially unknown whether Blanton would be used as a safety or corner. At 6'1/208, the Notre Dame product is a physical defensive back who struggles with hip fluidity and off coverage. He’ll compete for reps with Jamarca Sanford and Mistral Raymond behind first-round pick Harrison Smith.

First-round pick Harrison Smith is penciled in at free safety after the Vikings traded up to get him, but Frazier’s comments leave the door open for fifth-round pick Robert Blanton to beat out veterans Mistral Raymond and Jamarca Sanford at strong safety. Blanton is converting from corner, but we wouldn’t downplay his chances of besting Sanford and Raymond after both had sub-par 2011 campaigns.

This is a rookie-only minicamp, so Jamarca Sanford and Mistral Raymond aren’t there. Blanton’s positioning does confirm that the college cornerback has been converted to safety, and we wouldn’t diminish his chances of starting there.

“We are hoping that he can play in this ballgame on Friday night so we can get some tape on him and evaluate him in game situations,” coach Leslie Frazier said. A physical run stopper, Blanton was in the mix for snaps heading into camp, but his roster spot will be up in the air if he misses a third straight game.

The second of two Notre Dame safeties drafted by Minnesota, Blanton is a former cornerback with questionable speed. The Vikings believe he can be a hybrid safety/corner who can “match up on tight ends, can actually play in the middle of the field or play off the hash.” Blanton could push Mistral Raymond for the starting job opposite Harrison Smith.

Minnesota has had a different starter at strong safety each of the past three seasons, but Sanford is looking to put an end to the trend. He started 13 games last season and appears to have a stranglehold on the spot entering camp. Sanford re-upped with the Vikings on a two-year, $5 million deal in March, but he’s expected to face competition from Mistral Raymond and Robert Blanton.

Williams has been fully cleared, but he has admitted he will not know he is ready for sure until after the first big hit. Signed to a one-year deal in March, Blanton is expected to have a role in sub packages regardless, but he would have the first crack at the starting job if something happened to Williams. Blanton started 17 games in his four years with the Vikings.

Aaron Williams and Corey Graham are expected to have every-down roles, but it could potentially get free-agent addition Robert Blanton some snaps. Duke Williams and Jonathan Meeks are also in the mix for the No. 3 safety job.

This move makes room for Sammy Watkins on the 53-man roster. Buffalo also waived TE Gerald Christian and re-signed kickoff specialist Jordan Gay. Blanton started the last three games with Aaron Williams (neck) on injured reserve. Buffalo will likely turn to James Ihedigbo with Blanton sidelined.