Robert Blanton

Blanton, a 2012 fifth-round draft pick, enters the season competing for a reserve defensive back role. He's primarily a safety, but also played cornerback and nickelback at times last season.

Blanton will serve as the backup to Mistral Raymond at strong safety.

Blanton is a rookie fifth-round pick, and so a starting role is far from assured, but he is a good bet to emerge with the job, playing next to Harrison Smith, the fellow rookie and Notre Dame product. A college cornerback with safety athleticism by NFL standards, Blanton's physicality should help him make the transition to safety. If he emerges as a starter in what should be a leaky Minnesota secondary, he should see a good number of tackle opportunities.