Minnesota Vikings 2026 Draft Haul

The Minnesota Vikings made nine selections in the 2026 NFL Draft. They entered the draft with nine picks. During the three-day event, the Vikings made three trades:

Trade 1:

In the second round, the Vikings made a deal with the Carolina Panthers:

Vikings received:

51 overall

159 overall

Panthers received:

49 overall

196 overall

It was just a little two-spot trade back for an improved Day 3 pick.

Trade 2:

In the third round, the Vikings made the disappointing trade that many had been expecting for months. Jonathan Greenard was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Vikings received:

98 overall

2027 third-round pick

Eagles received:

Edge Jonathan Greenard

244 overall

I get this trade but I hated it. In my opinion, the Vikings could never get appropriate compensation for Jonathan Greenard for the simple reason I didn’t want to see him traded. Two third-round picks aren’t enough. A first isn’t enough. I didn’t want to see him traded. I get that the Vikings live in the real NFL world and felt like they had to do the deal. Despite agreeing to a four-year deal two years ago, Greenard wanted a raise. He probably deserved a raise as he quickly outplayed that four-year deal. He was an absolute bargain at $19 million/year. The Vikings obviously felt that they couldn’t afford to sweeten or extend the two years that remained on the contract. They also had Dallas Turner ready for a bigger role in the defense. So, the Vikings got a couple Day 2 picks for one of their defensive leaders. 

Trade 3:

In the sixth round, the Vikings needed a pick to secure Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne. They found a trade partner in the New England Patriots.

Vikings received:

198 overall

Patriots received:

234 overall

2027 sixth-round pick

I doubt that the Vikings were thrilled with using one of their 2027 picks but they clearly targeted the lightning-quick back. The 198th pick of the 2026 NFL Draft had quite a journey. The Vikings originally held it. In 2024, they traded it to the Houston Texans for running back Cam Akers. In March 2025, they got the pick back from the Texans in return for guard Ed Ingram. The Vikings then sent the pick to the San Francisco 49ers for running back Jordan Mason. The 49ers flipped the pick to the Patriots for pass rusher Keion White. Finally, yesterday, the Patriots sent the pick to the Vikings and they used it to select Demond Claiborne. 

The Vikings entered the draft with nine selections. After three trades, they exited with nine selections. Here are the Vikings nine nine players added in the 2026 NFL Draft:

Minnesota Vikings 2026 Draft Haul

1. Caleb Banks, DL, Florida

2. Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati

3. Domonique Orange, DL, Iowa State

3. Caleb Tiernan, OT, Northwestern

3. Jakobe Thomas, S, Miami

5. Max Bredeson, FB, Michigan

5. Charles Demmings, CB, Stephen F Austin

6. Demond Claiborne, RB, Wake Forest

7. Gavin Gerhardt. C, Cincinnati

To be honest, I was surprised by all of the Day 1 and Day 2 selections. I really like the players selected. I was just surprised by them. Perhaps the most surprised I’ve been since the selection of quarterback Christian Ponder in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Defensive tackle was a clear need and I knew that the position would be addressed early in the draft. I was presently surprised with the way the team attacked the need with the early-round selections of Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange. I thought that the Vikings had a solid group of players on the defensive line. Now, the front has the potential to be a team strength. That’s a very reassuring thing. The selection of Caleb Tiernan in the third also evolved into a reassuring thing. With the offensive signing of free agent tackle Ryan Van Demark and the early selection of a tackle, the Vikings clearly wanted no repeat of the offensive line depth issues of last season. I was pleasantly surprised by the selections of the first two days. Day 3 held few surprises as Max Bredeson, Charles Demmings, and Demond Claiborne were three of my favorite later-round favorites. The only surprises of Day 3 were the lack of a receiver and not addressing center until the seventh round. I expect receiver to be addressed in free agency. DeAndre Hopkins? Juaun Jennings? 

After the draft came the race to sign players not selected in the draft. The Vikings quickly signed 19 players.

Marcus Allen, CB, North Carolina

Da’Veawn Armstead, CB, North Texas

Dillon Bell, WR, Georgia

Jordan Botelho, OLB, Notre Dame

Tyreek Chappell, CB, Texas A&M

Monkell Goodwine, DL, South Carolina

Shaleak Knotts, WR, Mayland

Keli Lawson, LB, UCF

Tristan Leigh, OT, Clemson

Delby Lemieux, OL, Dartmouth

Keyon Owens, RB, Florida International

Tomas Rimac, OL, Virginia Tech

Marcus Sanders, Jr., WR, Georgia Southern

Cam’Ron Stewart, OLB, Temple

Jacob Thomas, S, James Madison

Brett Thorson, P, Georgia

Arden Walker, OLB, Colorado

Scooby Williams, LB, Texas A&M

Lyke Wysong, WR, Arizona

Of the 19, punter Brett Thorson might have the best chance at the 53. The Vikings signed Johnny Hekker in free agency. Thorson has youth. Hekker has an edge with his holding expertise. 

After months of expectations and speculations, the 2026 NFL is finally in the past. Now, it’s time to build to the 2026 NFL season. 

Minnesota Vikings Draft: Day 2

The Minnesota Vikings modestly entered Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft with three picks.

2 (49)

3 (82)

3 (97)

Day 2 got a little complicated and the Vikings ended up exiting the day with four draft picks. 

For most of the offseason, outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard has expressed a need for a better contract. To be honest, he signed for a bargain and outplayed the deal almost immediately. On and off the field, Greenard has been an outstanding free agent addition. Another season like the first two seasons and he’s ranking among the very best free agent signings in Vikings franchise history. I hated the idea of trading Greenard but the Vikings weren’t really in a financial position to adjust the contract that he’d signed only two years ago. So, Greenard was traded during the Day 2 draft selections. There were two bad things about the trade. The first was that the trade happened. The second was that Greenard was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. If there’s a team that doesn’t deserve a player and person like Jonathan Greenard, that team is the Eagles. In return, the Vikings received a third-round pick this year and a third-round pick next year. The Vikings also tossed in a seventh-round pick this year. Two thirds is a questionable return for Greenard but it’s done. The Vikings now had four picks on Day 2. 

Before the Jonathan Greenard trade, the Vikings did a little deal with the Carolina Panthers. That deal:

Vikings get:

2 (51)

5 (159)

Panthers get:

2 (49)

6 (196)

So, the Vikings ended up making four selections on Day 2. 

2 (51) Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati

3 (82) Domonique Orange, DT, Iowa State

3 (97) Caleb Tiernan, OT, Northwestern

3 (98) Jakobe Thomas, S, Miami

This isn’t even remotely close to the collection of rookie talent that Vikings fans probably expected to see. Every pick was probably a surprise. Through three rounds, the Vikings selected four defensive players in five opportunities. Inconceivable. 

In three years with the Vikings, defensive coordinator Brian Flores has schemed a consistently dominant defense. That first year, he did it with marginal talent. The past two years, the talent has been a bit better. Still, the personnel limitations can be best seen in the draft origins of the the defensive front:

Jalen Redmond - undrafted

Levi Drake Rodriguez - seventh-round

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins - fifth-round

Taki Taimani - undrafted

Elijah Williams - undrafted

All of the five have shown potential. Despite his humble origins, Jalen Redmond emerged last year as an impact player. Levi Drake Rodriguez and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins seem to be on the verge of break out seasons. As an undrafted rookie Elijah Williams showed potential. In my opinion, this is an intriguing and underrated group of football players. It’s such an intriguing and underrated group that I thought defensive line wasn’t the need that many considered it to be. The Vikings obviously believed that the position needed to be addressed. Through the years, I’ve admired teams that have addressed weaknesses with emphasis. After Randy Moss torched his secondary in 1998, Ron Wolf loaded up his suspect Packers secondary with “bigger” defensive backs in the 1999 NFL Draft. Didn’t work. No one could cover Moss. But I respected the commitment to improving a weakness. Despite my appreciation of the group, the Vikings scrappy defensive line was in need of high-end talent. The Vikings attacked that need in the first three rounds of this draft. In many of my “dream” mocks, I had one of Caleb Banks or Domonique Orange coming to Minnesota. I never considered the possibility of both. Now, the Vikings can put this trio on the field:

Jalen Redmond

Domonique Orange

Caleb Banks

Brian Flores now has some high-end talent on his defensive front. With those players fronting the defense, there’s a chance that linebackers Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson never get touched. Speaking of linebackers, second-round pick Jake Golday joins Wilson and Ivan Pace Jr. as former Cincinnati Bearcats at the position. Until he takes over the defense in the middle, Golday will be a special teams stalwart as well as a possible backup edge rusher. The Vikings were well set up to replace Jonathan Greenard with Dallas Turner but the depth on the edge took a hit with the trade. Golday could be a fix to that hit. 

I was surprised by the selections of Caleb Banks, Jake Golday, and Domonique Orange with the Vikings first three picks. Taken together, after the fact, I get it. In my opinion, the Vikings didn’t attack this draft with the idea of adding players to the team. I believe they attacked this draft with the idea of resetting the team. There have been games in which the Vikings have been overwhelmed by teams. They have been more finesse than power. If the Vikings were considered soft before, they won’t be considered soft after this draft. That starts with those big defensive tackles but it continues with the final two picks of Day 2. For about a minute, the selection of Northwestern tackle Caleb Tiernan was puzzling. On the offensive line, the only obvious need was at center. The Vikings drafted a tackle with perhaps guard potential. Selecting a tackle was a surprise but I think I get it. Despite being a late third-round pick, Tiernan was considered by many as the best of the non-first-round tackles. Between the free agent signing of Ryan Van Demark and drafting of Tiernan, the Vikings have depth on the offensive tackle in particular, and offensive line in general. Last season was wrecked by injuries and uncertainty on the offensive front. For about a decade, the Vikings have approached the offensive line and it’s depth as an afterthought. At the moment, there’s first- and second-round starters in Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill. Those bookend tackles are now backed by priority free agent Van Demark and third-round pick Tiernan. Im not sure I can remember such security on the edges. 

Through the first two days of this draft, nothing that the Vikings have done has been as I expected. That’s a surprise as the last time I’ve been truly surprised by the team’s pick tin he first-round selection was Christian Ponder in 2011. Perhaps being unpredictable can be a good thing. 

Jakobe Thomas

Throughout the draft process, Jakobe Thomas was always been a defensive back hovering on the periphery of the position. I’m a little surprised that he was selected ahead of Miami teammate Keionte Scott. I thought that Scott would be nabbed in the second round and Thomas in the third. Well, the Vikings selected Thomas in the third. 

If the first two nights of the 2026 NFL Draft did anything for Vikings fans, it’s your pick isn’t necessarily the team’s pick. That’s probably a very good thing. 

The First Round

The 2026 NFL Draft kicked off last night with the first round. Here’s how that first round fell.

2026 NFL Draft - First Round

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

2.   New York Jets: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech

3.   Arizona Cardinals: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

4.   Tennessee Titans: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State 

5.   New York Giants: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State

6.   Kansas City Chiefs (from Browns): Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

7.   Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State 

8.   New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

9.   Cleveland Browns (from Chiefs): Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

10. New York Giants: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami 

11. Dallas Cowboys (from Dolphins): Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State 

12. Miami Dolphins (from Cowboys): Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

13. Los Angeles Rams: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

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

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami

16. New York Jets: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

17. Detroit Lions: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

18. Minnesota Vikings: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

19. Carolina Panthers: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

20. Philadelphia Eagles (from Cowboys): Makai Lemon, WR, USC

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami

23. Dallas Cowboys (from Eagles): Malachi Lawrence, Edge, UCF

24. Cleveland Browns: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

25. Chicago Bears: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

26. Houston Texans (from Bills): Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech

27. Miami Dolphins (from 49ers): Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State

28. New England Patriots (from Bills): Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

29. Kansas City Chiefs: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

30. New York Jets (from 49ers): Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

31. Tennessee Titans (from Bills): Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn

32. Seattle Seahawks: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame 

The first round had eight trades. None was a big leap as each was only a move of one to three spots. There were three repeat traders. The Dallas Cowboys traded twice. The San Francisco 49ers traded twice and out of the first round. The Buffalo Bills traded three times and out of the first round. The five 49ers and Bills trades were among the final seven picks of the first round. That’s a lot of dancing at the end of the draft’s first night. The only trade that didn’t involve the Cowboys, 49ers, or Bills was the first one of the night. The Browns and Chiefs swapped spots in the top 10. 

One team selected three players in the first round:

New York Jets

2.   David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech

16. Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

30. Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

Six teams selected two players in the first round:

Cleveland Browns

9.   Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

24. KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

Dallas Cowboys

11. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

23. Malachi Lawrence, Edge, UCF

Kansas City Chiefs

6.   Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

29. Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

Miami Dolphins

12. Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

27. Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State

New York Giants

5.   Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State

10. Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

Tennessee Titans

4.   Carnell Tate. WR, Ohio State

31. Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn 

Eight teams selected no players in the first round: 

Atlanta Falcons 

Buffalo Bills

Cincinnati Bengals

Denver Broncos

Green Bay Packers 

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

San Francisco 49ers

The Minnesota Vikings surprised just about everyone with the selection of giant Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks. It was a big swing at a big talent. There was a time shortly after the Senior Bowl and the Scouting Combine when Banks was real close to being my dream pick for the Vikings at 18. Defensive tackle is one of the team’s biggest needs and few players move the way he moves at 6’6” and 330 lbs. He didn’t play much his final season at Florida due to a broken foot. After he ripped up the Senior Bowl and took part in the Scouting Combine, it felt like those foot issues were behind him. Then it was revealed that he re-broke the foot during the Combine and needed another surgery to repair it. Looking back at his performance in Indianapolis, it’s actually remarkable that he did what he did with a broken foot. With those foot issues at his size, I started to focus on other players for the Vikings first round pick. It’s been since the Christian Ponder pick in 2011 that the Vikings surprised me in the first round. It’s been a while. The selection of Caleb Banks surprised me. But not in a bad way. The draft is all about potential. The foot injuries are a concern but the Vikings have better and more complete information on those injuries than anyone. If they’re fine with those feet, I’m fine with those feet. Few players in this draft have the potential of Banks. This giant defensive lineman has the potential to change the front of the Vikings defense. He has the potential to be a giant problem for offenses. The draft is all about potential and Caleb Banks is loaded with potential. Those feet of his must stay in one piece. 

It’s on to the second round. 

Final Mock Draft

This is the final mock draft. Finally. The real draft starts tonight. 

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

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

3.   Arizona Cardinals: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

4.   Tennessee Titans: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

5.   New York Giants: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State 

6.   Cleveland Browns: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami 

7.   Washington Commanders: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech

8.   New Orleans Saints: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State 

9.   Kansas City Chiefs: Rueben Bain. Edge, Miami

10. New York Giants: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

11. Miami Dolphins: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State 

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): Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

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): Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

24. Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars): KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

25. Chicago Bears: Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami

26. Buffalo Bills: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

27. San Francisco 49ers: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State

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

29. Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams): Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

30. Miami Dolphins (from Broncos): Colton Hood. CB, Tennessee

31. New England Patriots: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State

32. Seattle Seahawks: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame 

Until the real one. 

Final 2026 NFL Draft Player Rankings: Top 50

The 2026 NFL Draft is tomorrow. One more sleep. Here’s a Top 50 ranking of the players. With picks at #18 and #49, the Minnesota Vikings could select two of these players.

2026 NFL Draft Player Rankings: Top 50

1.   Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

2.   Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State

3.   Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

4.   Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

5.   Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

6.   Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami

7.   Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

8.   David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech

9.   Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

10. Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

11. Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

12. Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

13. Makai Lemon, WR, USC

14. Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

15. Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

16. Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

17. Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

18. Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn

19. Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

20. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

21. KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

22. Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State

23. Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

24. Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee 

25. Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

26. Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami

27. C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia

28. Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State

29. Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

30. Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

31. Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame

32. D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana

33. Peter Woods, DL, Clemson

34. Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M

35. Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

36. Malachi Lawrence, Edge, UCF

37. Aveion Terrell, CB, Clemson

38. Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State

39. T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson

40. Lee Hunter, DL, Texas Tech

41. Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech

42. Christen Miller, DL, Georgia

43. Treydan Stukes, DB, Arizona

44. Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama

45. Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh

46. Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech

47. Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

48. R Mason Thomas, Edge, Oklahoma

49. Zion Young, Edge, Missouri

50. Caleb Banks, DL, Florida

From the above rankings, a prediction of the Vikings first two picks:

18. Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn

49. Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama

or

18. Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

49. Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh

I can’t decide. One moment, it’s the first. The next moment, it’s the second.

Final 2026 NFL Draft Player Rankings: By Position

The 2026 NFL Draft is just two days away. The endless draft evaluation process is finally coming to an end. Here’s a look at five of the top draft prospects at each position.

2026 NFL Draft Player Rankings: By Position

Quarterbacks

1. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

2. Ty Simpson, Alabama

3. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU

4. Carson Beck, Miami

5. Drew Allar, Penn State

Running Backs

1. Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

2. Jadarian Price, Notre Dame

3. Emmitt Johnson, Nebraska

4. Jonah Coleman, Washington

5. Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas

Receivers

1. Carnell Tate, Ohio State

2. Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

3. Makai Lemon, USC

4. KC Concepcion, Texas A&M

5. Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana

Tight Ends

1. Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon

2. Max Klare, Ohio State

3. Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt

4. Jack Endries, Texas

5. Dallen Bentley, Utah

Offensive Tackles

1. Francis Mauigoa, Miami

2. Monroe Freeling, Georgia

3. Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

4. Kadyn Proctor, Alabama

5. Max Iheanachor, Arizona State

Guards

1. Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State

2. Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M

3. Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon

4. Keylan Rutledge, Georgia Tech

5. Gennings Dunker, Iowa

Centers

1. Connor Lew, Auburn

2. Logan Jones, Iowa

3. Jake Slaughter, Florida

4. Sam Hecht, Kansas

5. Brian Parker II, Duke

Edge

1. Rueben Bain Jr., Miami

2. David Bailey, Texas A&M

3. Kendric Faulk, Auburn

4. Akheem Mesidor, Miami

5. Cashius Howell, Texas A&M

Defensive Tackles

1. Kayden McDaniel

2. Peter Woods, Clemson

3. Lee Hunter, Texas Tech

4. Christen Miller, Georgia

5. Caleb Banks, Florida

Linebackers

1. Arvell Reese, Ohio State

2. Sonny Styles, Ohio State

3. CJ Allen, Georgia

4. Jake Rodriguez, Texas Tech

5. Jake Golday, Cincinnati

Cornerbacks

1. Mansoor Delane, LSU

2. Jermod McCoy, Tennessee

3. Chris Johnson, San Diego State

4. D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana

5. Colton Hood, Tennessee

Safeties

1. Caleb Downs, Ohio State

2. Dillon Thieneman, Oregon

3. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo

4. Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh

5. A.J. Haulcy, LSU

Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft Monday

Finally, it’s the last Monday in front of the 2026 NFL Draft. Here’s a final Minnesota Vikings mock draft before the real one. 

1. Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

2. Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama

3. Connor Lew, C, Auburn

3. Kaleb Proctor, DL, SE Louisiana

5. Demond Claiborne, RB, Wake Forest

6. VJ Payne, S, Kansas State

7. Kaden Wetjen, WR, Iowa

7. Riley Nowakowski, TE/FB, Indiana

7. Tyler Onyedim, DL, Texas A&M

In Jermod McCoy, the Vikings select arguably the most skilled corner in the draft. If not for a January 2024 torn ACL, he probably isn’t getting out of the top 10. I’ve wondered if the Vikings see corner as a first round option but I’m not sure they can pass on McCoy. 

Germie Bernard and Georgia State’s Ted Hurst have emerged as my favorite Day 2 receivers. In this mock, Bernard is the pick in the second round. The Vikings must select a center on Day 2. Connor Lew is the pick here. He should be an immediate starter. In the last couple weeks, Kaleb Proctor has become one of my favorite defensive linemen in the draft. Coming out of a small school, I’ve hoped that he’d slip into Day 3. I doubt that happens. He closes out the Day 2 mock draft picks in this mock draft. 

When it comes to the real draft, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Vikings grab a running back on Day 2. Unfortunately they have only three picks for about a half dozen significant needs. I have running back being the position pushed to Day 3 mostly because of the potential availability of Demond Claiborne. He’s a speed back similar to De’Von Achane of the Miami Dolphins. Frank Smith helped craft the Dolphins run game in which Achane flourished. Smith was hired by Kevin O’Connell in February to help with the Vikings offense. Claiborne, Aaron Jones, and Jordan Mason would be a strong and versatile trio of backs. I would’ve preferred to address safety earlier than the sixth round. VJ Payne would be a solid Day 3 option. Myles Price emerged as a returner as a rookie last season. Despite that, Kaden Wetjen could immediately be one of the best returners in the league. Riley Nowakowski replaces the retired C.J. Ham as a blocker. I don’t think there’s any chance Tyler Onyedim is available in the seventh round. I don’t even think he’ll be available in the fifth round. He was available in this mock draft simulation and is a steal in the seventh round. 

Next up: The real draft. Finally.