Draft Favorites By Round

The 2026 NFL Draft is less than a week away. Here are some of my favorite players for the Minnesota Vikings in each of the seven rounds.

First Round

Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Keldric Faulk, DL, Auburn

Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State

Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State

Through the draft process, Dillon Thieneman and Keldric Faulk have emerged as my first round favorites. Followed closely by the rest. 

Second Round

Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame

Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama

Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech

Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech

Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

AJ Haulcy, S, LSU

Keionte Scott, CB, Miami

Third Round

Connor Lew, C, Auburn

Logan Jones, C, Iowa

Sam Hecht, C, Kansas State

Jake Slaughter, C, Florida

Kaleb Proctor, DL, SE Louisiana

Jaishawn Barham, Edge, Michigan

Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh

Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State

Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington

Emmett Johnson, RB, Nebraska

Fourth Round

Unfortunately, the Vikings have no fourth round pick. It’s going to be a frustrating start to Day 3.

Fifth Round

Demond Claiborne, RB, Wake Forest

Devin Moore, CB, Florida

Jeff Caldwell, WR, Cincinnati

Ahmari Harvey, CB, Georgia Tech

Tanner Koziol, TE, Houston

Sixth Round

Kaden Wetjen, WR, Iowa

Deven Eastern, DL, Minnesota

Jordan van den Berg, DL, Georgia Tech

Jaydn Ott, RB, Oklahoma

Eli Heidenreich, RB/WR, Navy

Tyren Montgomery, WR, John Carroll

Seventh Round

Max Bredeson, TE/FB, Michigan

Zxavian Harris, DL, Mississippi

Brett Thorson, P, Georgia

Tristan Leigh, OT, Clemson

Uar Bernard, DL, Nigeria/IPP

Eric Gentry, LB, USC

A draft haul from the above favorites might look a little something like this:

1. Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

2. Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama

3. Connor Lew, C, Auburn

3. Kaleb Proctor, DL, SE Louisiana

5. Demond Claiborne, RB, Wake Forest

6. Kaden Wetjen, WR, Iowa

7. Max Bredeson, TE/FB, Michigan

7. Zxavian Harris, DL, Mississippi

7. Eric Gentry, LB, USC

The Athletic’s Draft Haul For The Vikings

Fresh off of dropping “The Beast,” the Athletic’s Dane Brugler released his seven-round mock drafts. Brugler is one of my favorite talent evaluators. He puts so much work into all that he does. A seven-round mock is a daunting thing. Here’s what he got for the Minnesota Vikings. 

1. Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

2. Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech

3. A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU

3. Sam Hecht, C, Kansas State

5. Jeff Caldwell, WR, Cincinnati

6. Mason Reiger, Edge, Wisconsin

7. J.C. Davis, OT, Illinois

7. Seth McGowan, RB, Kentucky

7. Josh Cuevas, TE, Alabama

It’s always a bit startling when Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman isn’t mocked to the Vikings at 18. In this mock, Thieneman was selected by the Carolina Panthers with the next pick. Jermod McCoy would be an outstanding addition to the Vikings secondary. It’s been since Xavier Rhodes started to fade that a corner of McCoy’s talent has been in Minnesota. Shortly after the combine, Lee Hunter was one of my favorites for the first round. Preferably with a little trade back. With the way that he moved, I could see a little Dexter Lawrence in Hunter. Getting him in the second round would be a steal. A.J. Haulcy in the third would also be a steal. The Vikings must find a center on Day 2. Sam Hecht works for me. 

The biggest challenge of this year’s mock drafts has been trying to appropriately address all of the Vikings top needs with their four picks in the first three rounds. It’s both difficult and frustrating. Through this draft evaluation process, I’ve become convinced that the Vikings will address receiver or running back on Day 2. If the draft falls their way, I could see both positions being addressed. With center being a priority, Day 2 could be all offense. In Brugler’s mock, I might be tempted to pass on Lee Hunter for Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price. I like Hunter but I might like Price more. Even with Clemson receiver Antonio Williams, I don’t think I’d give up A.J. Haulcy for a receiver. In mocks, Haulcy has often been my pick in the second round if Dillon Thieneman isn’t the pick in the first. 

As for the receiver concerns, Jeff Caldwell would be a fine addition. The Vikings could use a receiver with his size and speed. With edge being a team strength, I’be debated the need for a pass rusher. In today’s NFL, a team can never have enough players that get after the quarterback. Mason Reiger is one of the best Day 3 options. Brugler didn’t get the Vikings a running back on Day 2 but he found an intriguing one in the seventh round. Seth McGowan is one of my favorite Day 3 backs. I’m surprised that he’s available in the seventh round. J.C. Davis looks like a solid offensive line depth addition. I see Josh Cuevas as a nice C.J. Ham replacement. 

Even though I’d swap Jadarian Price for Lee Hunter, I’d be thrilled if the Vikings real draft fell like Dane Brugler’s mock draft. 

Throwback Thursday: A Look Back At An Old Draft

With NFL Drafts on the mind, I took another look at the 1961 NFL and AFL Drafts. The young, renegade AFL was challenging the old NFL for college talent. So much so that the two leagues were drafting players before the college bowl games were even played. The AFL conducted the first six rounds of their 1961 draft on November 23, 1960, by phone. The draft was completed on December 5th and 6th. The NFL held their 1961 draft on December 27 and 28. The 1961 AFL Draft went for thirty rounds. The 1961 NFL Draft went twenty rounds. With six fewer teams, the AFL selected 240 players to the NFL's 280. As this draft was the first draft of the Minnesota Vikings, I was taking another look at the draft that started it all. I'm always thrilled when I find little nuggets of football history that I've never noticed before. I found one while I was looking through the 1961 drafts of the rival professional football leagues.

Here's the top of the Minnesota Vikings 1961 NFL Draft:

1. Tommy Mason  RB  Tulane
2. Rip Hawkins  LB North Carolina
3. Fran Tarkenton  QB Georgia

Here's the top of the Boston Patriots 1961 AFL Draft:

1. Tommy Mason  RB  Tulane
2. Rip Hawkins  LB  North Carolina
3. Dan LaRose  T  Missouri
4. Mike Zeno  G  Virginia Tech
5. Fran Tarkenton  QB  Georgia

Well, something looks a little fishy there. The Vikings top three selections were three of the Patriots top five selections. They were also taken in the same order. The AFL Draft came first, so the Patriots selected Tommy Mason, Rip Hawkins, and Fran Tarkenton over a month before the Vikings did the same. The Vikings, as an expansion team, had the first pick in the NFL Draft. The Patriots had the second pick in the AFL Draft. Mason was widely considered the top senior back in college football so his selection by teams with one of the top two picks in a draft isn't a surprise. There's just too many variables to even imagine that the Patriots will select three of the same players in the first 34 picks of their draft as the Vikings select in the first 29 picks of their draft. It's as if the two teams had the exact same scouting reports and rankings. Mason selected #1 by the Vikings and #2 by the Patriots. Hawkins selected #15 by the Vikings and #10 by the Patriots. Tarkenton selected #29 by the Vikings and #34 by the Patriots. I guess that the Patriots decided that they could wait a little bit, take care of their offensive line, and grab Tarkenton in the fifth round of their draft.

The threat of losing college players to the AFL was very real for NFL teams. The Houston Oilers, Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers, and Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs dominated the early years of the new league. The Buffalo Bills came on a couple of years later. The Boston Patriots were 5-9, last in the AFL's Eastern Conference in 1960. Maybe the Vikings, despite being an expansion team, didn't see the Patriots as much of a threat to sign players that they drafted. The Vikings saw that the Patriots drafted players that they liked and drafted them with the confidence that they could sign them. It turns out that they were right as the Vikings were able to sign all three players. Each made an impact with the new team. Tommy Mason had a fine career in Minnesota with some Pro Bowl appearances. Rip Hawkins was a prominent member of a defense that would become dominant by the end of the decade. Fran Tarkenton is in the Hall of Fame so he was pretty good.

This little draft nugget is fascinating. There's too many variables for it to be just a coincidence. There's a reason for it. The ability to sign the players may have played a role but there's something more. There's something sinister here. I just know it. 

Another Mock Draft

The 2026 NFL Draft is only eight days away. That leaves enough time for a couple more mock drafts. This one and a last one. Here’s this one.

1.   Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

2.   New York Jets: Arvell Reese, Edge, Ohio State

3.   Arizona Cardinals: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech

4.   Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

5.   New York Giants: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

6.   Cleveland Browns: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

7.   Washington Commanders: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

8.   New Orleans Saints: Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami 

9.   Kansas City Chiefs: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

10. Cincinnati Bengals: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

11. Miami Dolphins: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

12. Dallas Cowboys: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

13. Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons): Makai Lemon, WR, USC

14. Baltimore Ravens: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

16. New York Jets (from Colts): Jordan Tyson, WR, Arizona State

17. Detroit Lions: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

18. Minnesota Vikings: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

19. Carolina Panthers: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

20. Dallas Cowboys (from Packers): CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Emmanuel McNeill-Warren, TE, Toledo

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

24. Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars): Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

25. Chicago Bears: Aveion Terrell, CB, Clemson

26. Buffalo Bills: Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami

27. San Francisco 49ers: Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon

28. Houston Texans: Chase Bisontis, G, Texas A&M

29. Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams): Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

30. Miami Dolphins (from Broncos): Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

31. New England Patriots: Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State

32. Seattle Seahawks: Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn

Until the last one. 

Minnesota Vikings Top 30 Visits

In advance of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings hosted several prospects at the spectacular TCO Performance Center over the weekend. Each team is allowed to bring to their facilities 30 of the draft’s prospects. These little “meet and greets” have come to be called “Top 30” visits. It’s a bit of a misnomer as the visits aren’t necessarily with the top players on each team’s draft board. Team’s just want to get to know these players a bit better, meet a little longer. Thanks to many dedicated draft sleuths, it’s been reported that the following players visited with the Vikings this weekend.

Minnesota Vikings Top 30 Visits

Demond Claiborne, RB, Wake Forest

Jonah Coleman, RB. Washington

Emmett Johnson, RB, Nebraska

Vinny Anthony II, WR, Wisconsin

Jeff Caldwell, WR, Cincinnati

CJ Daniels, WR, Miami

Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State

De’Zhaun Stribling, WR, Mississippi

Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia

Lance Mason, TE, Wisconsin

Triston Leigh, OL, Clemson

Shiyazh Pete, OL, Kentucky

Uar Bernard, DL, no college

Darrell Jackson, DL, Florida State

Domonique Orange, DL, Iowa State

Mason Reiger, Edge, Wisconsin

Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati

Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas

Cole Wisniewski, S, Texas Tech

I’m not sure of the exact statistics but it feels like a couple, maybe a few, of the players that make these pre-draft visits are selected by the Vikings in the draft or are signed after the draft. So, a few of the above will soon be calling Minnesota home. That’s exciting as I really like several of these players. That starts with the running backs and receivers. Jonah Coleman, Emmitt Johnson, and Demond Claiborne are at the top of my running backs wish list. Receiver Ted Hurst is one of my favorite Day 2 players regardless of position. As for defense, the Vikings could use a run-stuffer. Domonique Orange and Darrell Jackson are two of best in the draft at stuffing the run. Jake Golday and Anthony Hill Jr. are two of the best linebackers in the draft. It’s a damn shame that the Vikings have only three Day 2 picks. They need five to secure Emmett Johnson, Ted Hurst, Domonique Orange, Jake Golday, and a center.

Speaking of center. The Vikings bringing no centers to TCO Performance Center might be the biggest surprise of the weekend visits. I’m guessing that the Vikings are keeping their interests in that position a secret. In my opinion, and many share it, the Vikings must come out of Day 2 with their franchise center. 

As for some of the potential Day 3 players, safety Cole Wisniewski and edge Mason Reiger intrigue me the most. The freakishly talented Uar Bernard is certainly a curiosity. His natural explosion sure has caused a stir in talent evaluation circles. Is his untapped potential enough for a team to use a late-round pick? Or is he destined to be an undrafted project? Who knows? I do know that I wouldn’t mind if the Vikings took a swing at Bernard’s remarkable potential. 

None of the 19 players listed have any first-round steam. Several are projected to be selected on Day 2, a handful on Day 3, and a few are more likely priority free agents. News came yesterday that the Vikings are bringing in a player this week that will most certainly be selected in the first round. Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq is coming to Minnesota this week. The Vikings selecting the explosive play-maker at #18 has many fans. I’m not sure if I’m one of them. While I wouldn’t protest the pick, I just see more and greater needs on defense. I also see running back and receiver as greater needs than tight end on offense. 

There are so many events in the annual draft evaluation process. It starts with the all-star games, on to the Scouting Combine, and then the Pro Days. The player visits, in particular the “Top 30” visits, are the final event. Only the Draft remains. That can’t get here soon enough. Nine more days. 

Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft Monday

It’s a Monday closer to the real draft. Only one more Monday after this one. Thankfully, the 2026 NFL Draft is almost here. It’s time for another Minnesota Vikings mock draft. 

All of these mock drafts are done with Pro Football Focus’s draft simulator. So, I’m at the mercy of their player rankings. With top draft evaluators like the Athletic’s Dane Brugler, ESPN’s Matt Miller, and NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah releasing their “final” rankings, it’s interesting to see that PFF’s evaluations often don’t match those that have been doing this a long time. It’s safe to say that they won’t match how NFL teams see the players either. PFF is what I have so I’m forced to mock with their rankings. This is what I got this week.

1. Keldric Faulk, DL, Auburn

2. Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State

3. Connor Lew, C, Auburn

3. Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State

5. Demond Claiborne, RB, Wake Forest

6. Tanner Kozoil, TE, Houston

7. Max Dredeson, TE/FB, Michigan

7. Micah Morris, G, Georgia

7. Jakobe Thomas, S, Florida

This is one of my favorites of the Monday mocks. Keldric Faulk has emerged as one of my top choices for the 18th pick. He and Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman are currently running as my top picks. At 6’6” and about 280 lbs, Faulk is the biggest of the draft’s top edge rushers. He has the frame to add even more size. An edge rusher for most teams, I think the Vikings might see him as a defensive tackle in their defense. 

I don’t think there’s any chance for Chris Johnson to be available for the Vikings in the second round. But, it’s fun to dream. The Vikings need a center. It’s nice timing as there are a handful of centers in this draft that project as early starters in the NFL. It’s expected that they’ll come off the board as early as the second round and into the third. Connor Lew has emerged as my favorite and I’d be thrilled if he’s the pick with one of their Day 2 picks. I believe that the Vikings will select a receiver and/or a running back on Day 2. Ted Hurst is easily my favorite Day 2 receiver. If a running back isn’t one of the picks in the second and third rounds, Demond Claiborne would be an excellent option on Day 3. With no pick in the fourth round, I’d be hoping that he’s available in the fifth round. 

The final four picks in this mock draft include a couple late-round staples in Houston tight end Tanner Kozoil and Michigan blocker Max Bredeson. The mock newcomers are Georgia guard Micah Morris and Florida safety Jakobe Thomas. I’d like to see the Vikings add some offensive line depth. Tackle is probably the priority but Morris is difficult to pass on in the seventh round. I believe that he goes much earlier on Day 3. I also believe that the Vikings will address safety earlier than the seventh round in the real draft. Thomas is a nice late-round option. 

Until the next, and last, one. 

Possible Minnesota Vikings Picks

The 2026 NFL Draft is creeping closer. As it’s creeped closer, the Athletic released Dane Bugler’s “The Beast.” It’s brilliant as usual. Many of the other top talent evaluators have released their “final” rankings. ESPN’s Matt Miller is one of those evaluators. He released his ranking of the top 482 players on Friday. With nine picks in the draft, the Minnesota Vikings are projected to select nine of those players. Since Miller has taken his rankings well past the 256 players that will be selected, a few more of 482 may be coming to Minnesota as undrafted free agents. 

The nine picks currently held by the Vikings:

1(18)

2(49)

3(82)

3(97)

5(163)

6(196)

7(234)

7(235)

7(244)

As things stand, I’m going to miss that fourth round pick. It always sucks to sit out an entire round. It especially sucks when that round is the first round of Day 3. Still, it’s better than sitting out the second round. The Vikings have been sitting out second rounds since 2022. Finally having a second-round pick is a beautiful thing.

Using Matt Miller’s rankings, this is a look at some of the players that the Vikings could select at each of their nine picks.

1. Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

2. Jaishawn Barham, LB, Michigan

3. Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State

3. Connor Lew, C, Auburn

5. Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington

6. Kaleb Proctor, DT, Southeastern Louisiana 

7. Kaden Wetjen, WR, Iowa

7. Andre Fuller, CB, Toledo

7. Tim Keenan III, DT, Alabama

The one problem, perhaps only problem, I have with the above draft haul is the lack of a cornerback before the seventh round. That problem is easily solved by swapping Jaishawn Barham for one of several corners available in the second round. Edge isn’t an immediate need but Barham is a particular favorite. I wish that Andrew Van Ginkel could play forever. Since he can’t, Barham projects as a similarly versatile defender. Perhaps, he could learn some of the nuances of Van Ginkel’s game in their time together. It’s tough to give up Barham but he is something of a luxury pick. Keionte Scott, Treydan Stukes, or Keith Abney II might be more responsible picks. 

I love the Day 1 and Day 2 picks. I’m stunned that Matt Miller has Jonah Coleman and Kaleb Proctor projected as fifth- and sixth-round picks. I often try to find ways to select both players in the third round. I’m rarely able to secure those two and the very-much needed center. 

Other than Andre Fuller, I’d project all of the above players as immediate contributors. I’d be very happy with this draft.