Why Undrafted?: Dwight McGlothern, CB, Arkansas

This series was created a number of years ago in response to questions about why certain well-known prospects went unselected in NFL drafts. For these articles, I reach out to sources with NFL teams to find out why their organizations passed on drafting a given player, and/or, what were the reasons for other teams to pass on that prospect. The positive response to “Why Undrafted” and questions from readers about why prospects were drafted lower than the media expectations led us to create the parallel series “Why the Slide?”

Both series are back this year. Feel free to email me requests for Why the Slide? and Why Undrafted? at [email protected]. I can’t promise to get to all of them, but I will do my best and definitely will respond to the email.

Over the past three seasons, Dwight McGlothern was a solid cornerback in the SEC. He broke into the starting lineup during his sophomore season with LSU before going on to have two respectable years at Arkansas after transferring there. On top of being a quality player in college, McGlothern has good size for the NFL at 6-foot-2, 185 pounds. He also ran a fast 40 time for a big cornerback at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. Thus, many were surprised when he went undrafted.

Multiple team sources said personality issues were a problem for McGlothern, and that led to teams not wanting to draft him. Those issues came across in the leadup to the 2024 Draft and as evaluators spoke with those around McGlothern. The concerns were significant enough that teams were willing to let him get through the late-round picks.

After going undrafted, McGlothern signed with the Minnesota Vikings, which was a good choice. The Vikings have one long-term starter at the position in Byron Murphy Jr., but they need more solutions at the position. Recent draft picks of Mekhi Blackmon and Akayleb Evans will probably have a leg up for backup roster spots, as will 2024 fourth-round pick Khyree Jackson. Still, the Vikings should have open competition for playing time and roster spots. McGlothern also could be a top practice-squad candidate. McGlothern will need to show the personality issues are not a problem, and he will also have to play well in the preseason to stick with Minnesota.