A Vikings Lineup

The Minnesota Vikings had nine selections in the 2026 NFL Draft. 

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. Chuck Demmings, CB, Stephen F Austin

6. Demond Claiborne, RB, Wake Forest

7. Gavin Gerhardt. C, Cincinnati

While the nine picks only had a 5:4 split between defense and offense, it felt very much like a defense-centric draft. That happens when four of the top five picks went defense. The four offensive players might eventually earn significant roles. Only one projects as an immediate starter. The impact of the five defensive players will be seen soon. At least, they better. A couple were selected with an immediate impact in mind. 

Here’s a look at a potential starting lineup for this season.

Offense

WR	Justin Jefferson
LT	Christian Darrisaw
LG	Donovan Jackson
C	Blake Brandel
RG	Will Fries
RT	Brian O’Neill
TE	T.J. Hockenson
WR	Jordan Addison
QB	Kyler Murray
RB	Aaron Jones
FB	Max Bredeson

Rookie fullback Max Bredeson was selected as an immediate heir to C.J. Ham. Bredeson’s sledge-hammer blocking will make an impact on the Vikings offense. Other than the free agent addition of quarterback Kyler Murray, the rest of the offense carries over from last season. Unlike last season, the offense, especially the offensive line, must stay on the field. 

Defense

DE	Caleb Banks
NT	Domonique Orange
DE	Jalen Redmond
OLB	Dallas Turner
LB	Blake Cashman
LB	Eric Wilson
OLB	Andrew Van Ginkel
CB	Byron Murphy Jr.
CB	Isaiah Rodgers
S	Josh Metellus
S	Jay Ward

I can not wait to see first-round pick Caleb Banks and third-round pick Domonique “Big Citrus” Orange incorporated into the defensive line. The Vikings had an interesting group of talented but unheralded defensive linemen but they had nothing like Banks and Orange. The two combine for about 660 pounds of moving, immovable football mass. The Vikings front, and as a result the entire defense, will look so different. For the pass three years, the schemes of defensive coordinator Brian Flores have been the driving force of a mostly successful Vikings defense. Now, Flores is able to pepper those schemes with some elite talent up front. While probably not first-team players in their first year, Jake Golday, Jakobe Thomas, and Chuck Demmings could earn impactful playing time. 

At the safety position, it’s still possible that Harrison Smith returns for his 15th season. 

Special Teams

K	Will Reichard
P	Brett Thorson
LS	Andrew DePaola
KR	Demond Claiborne
PR	Myles Price

One of the most intense competitions of training camp might be at punter. Both contenders are new to the team. Very veteran Johnny Hekker was signed this offseason. Georgia punter Brett Thorson was signed as an undrafted free agent. Despite going undrafted, Thorson was arguably the best punter in the draft. The only holdup with his candidacy for the position is that he never held in college. Maintaining a smooth kicking rhythm between Will Reichard, Andrew DePaola, and the holder might be as critical to the punting job as punting. 

Myles Price handled both kick and punt returns last season. I have sixth-round running back Demond Claiborne penciled in for the kick return job this season. 

There are only a handful of changes on offense, defense, and special teams but they are significant changes. Especially the defensive line changes. 

 

Is The NFL Draft Coming To Minnesota

Word around the league is that Minneapolis-St. Paul is the “clear favorite” to host the 2028 NFL Draft. The NFL’s events committee is scheduled to meet next week to discuss the matter, with an ownership vote expected at their May 19-20 meeting in Orlando. 

In March, the Vikings and Minnesota Sports and Events submitted to the league a bid to host the annual event. The plan had the spectacular US Bank Stadium as the center of the draft weekend with events in St. Paul, the Mall of America, and the Viking Lakes development around the team’s TCO Performance Center in Eagan. 

While Minnesota is “a clear favorite” at the moment, the league’s decision-makers can always spin to another location on a whim. Few things are predictable in the NFL. Fewer things are predictable amongst an exclusive club of rich folks. Seeing as the draft has been held in Chicago (2x), Detroit, and Green Bay during it’s recent travels, it should be held in Minnesota simply to check off all of the NFC North teams. 

The NFL Draft became a nomadic event in 2015. 

2015: Chicago, IL

2016: Chicago, IL

2017: Philadelphia, PA

2018: Arlington, TX

2019: Nashville, TN

2020: Virtual due to the global pandemic

2021: Cleveland, OH

2022: Las Vegas, NV

2023: Kansas City, MO

2024: Detroit, MI

2025: Green Bay, WI

2026: Pittsburgh, PA

2027: Washington DC

2028: Minnesota?

The NFL Draft became a thing in 1936. For the first five decades, it was a barely noticeable thing. For the next couple decades, it was a noticeable thing. For the past three decades, the NFL Draft has become a very big thing. The ridiculous growth of the NFL Draft has been a very curious thing. A movie was even made about the damn thing. 

When the draft went on the road in 2015, it felt new because it had been held in New York City for the previous fifty years. Before becoming a New York staple in 1965, the draft roamed about for thirty years.

Pre-2015 draft locations:

1936: Philadelphia, PA

1937: New York City, NY

1938: Chicago, IL

1939: New York City, NY

1940: Milwaukee, WI

1941: Washington DC

1942-43: Chicago, IL

1944: Philadelphia, PA

1945-47: New York City, NY

1948: Pittsburgh, PA

1949-50: Philadelphia, PA

1951: Chicago, IL

1952: New York City, NY

1953-54: Philadelphia, PA

1955: New York City, NY

1956-61: Philadelphia, PA

1962-64: Chicago, IL

1965-2014: New York City, NY

I have been, and always will be, fascinated with the NFL Draft. The draft as an event, it’s critical part in team-building, it’s history. All of it. It all fascinates me. 

A Pick That Traveled

Every pick in every NFL Draft has a story. Some are a little more interesting than the rest. The 198th pick of the 2026 NFL Draft has one of the interesting stories. That pick was the 17th pick of the sixth round. The Minnesota Vikings used it to select Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne. The story of the 198th pick ended where it began. In between, it’s a story of a pick that traveled. 

The traveling started during the 2024 NFL season. 

October 15, 2024

The Minnesota Vikings acquired running back Cam Akers and a 2026 7th round pick from the Houston Texans for a 2026 6th round pick. 

March 13, 2025

The Houston Texans acquired guard Ed Ingram from the Minnesota Vikings for a 2026 6th round pick.

March 15, 2025

The Minnesota Vikings acquired running back Jordan Mason and a 2025 6th round pick from the San Francisco 49ers for a 2025 5th round pick and a 2026 6th round pick. 

October 28, 2025

The San Francisco 49ers acquired defensive end Keion White and a 2026 7th round pick from the New England Patriots for a 2026 6th round pick. 

April 25, 2026

The Minnesota Vikings acquired the 2026 6th round pick from the New England Patriots for a 2026 7th round pick and a 2027 6th round pick. 

The sixth round pick that bounced from Minnesota to Houston to Minnesota to San Francisco to New England and finally back to Minnesota was the 198th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Vikings held it twice before they finally used it to select Demond Claiborne. Many picks are held by multiple teams. Very few are held by one team multiple times. In this case it was held by one team on three separate occasions. The Vikings held the 198th pick non continuously in 2024, 2025, and 2026. I’d be real surprised if that’s ever happened in NFL history. 

A Vikings 2026 running back depth chart projection:

Aaron Jones

Jordan Mason

Demond Claiborne

Perhaps, the most interesting aspect of the travels of the 198th pick is that it was used to bring both Jordan Mason and Demond Claiborne to Minnesota. How often has one pick been used to add two players to a single position group? I’m guessing maybe never. 

More Draft Hauls That I Liked

Knee-jerk draft grades are stupid are here are more draft hauls that I liked. 

More Draft Hauls That I Liked

Miami Dolphins

1. Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

1. Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State

2. Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech

3. Caleb Douglas, WR, Texas Tech

3. Will Kacmarek, TE, Ohio State

3. Chris Bell, WR, Louisville

4. Trey Moore, Edge, Texas

4. Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh

5. Michael Taffle, S, Texas

5. Kevin Coleman Jr., WR, Missouri

5. Seydou Traore, TE, Mississippi State

6. DJ Campbell, G, Texas

7. Max Llewellyn, Edge, Iowa

The Miami Dolphins are in the process of a franchise reset. It’s nice to start it with 13 draft selections. This draft haul is among my favorites mostly for Chris Johnson, Jacob Rodriguez, and Kyle Louis. Selecting two of my favorite linebackers is just being selfish. Caleb Douglas, Chris Bell, and Kevin Coleman Jr. are an interesting trio of receivers to replace Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

New York Giants

1. Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State

1. Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

2. Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee 

3. Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame

6. Bobby Jamison-Travis, DT, Auburn

6. J.C. Davis, OT, Illinois

6. Jack Kelly, LB, BYU

If a team has two picks among the top ten, that team should have a dynamite draft haul. In Arvell Reese and Francis Mauigoa, the New York Giants did select two players that should make an immediate impact. Colton Hood and Malachi Fields were excellent Day 2 picks. I really like Jack Kelly as well.

New York Jets

1. David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech

1. Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

1. Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

2. D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana

4. Darrell Jackson Jr., DT, Florida State

4. Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson

6. Anez Cooper, G, Miami

7. VJ Payne, S, Kansas State

The New York Jets had three first round picks. They appear to have used those picks well. In D’Angelo Ponds was probably the best college corner I saw play last year. If he was four inches taller, he’d probably be a top ten pick. I really liked Darrell Jackson Jr. in the fourth round and VJ Payne feels like a steal in the seventh round.

Pittsburgh Steelers

1. Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State

2. Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama

3. Drew Allar, QB, Penn State

3. Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia

3. Gennings Dunker, OT, Iowa

4. Kade Wetjen, WR, Iowa

5. Riley Nowakowski, TE, Indiana

6. Gabriel Rubio, DT, Notre Dame

7. Robert Spears-Jennings, S, Oklahoma

7. Eli Heidenreich, RB, Navy

From Germie Bernard to Gennings Dunker to Kaden Wetjen to Eli Heidenreich, the draft of the Pittsburgh Steelers was littered with players that I liked. Nearly every pick brought an “oh man” out of me. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

1. Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami

2. Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri

3. Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State

4. Keionte Scott, CB, Miami

5. DeMonte Capehart, DT, Clemson

5. Billy Schrauth, G, Notre Dame

6. Bauer Sharp, TE, LSU

From lucking into Rueben Bain Jr. with the 15th pick to Ted Hurst in the third round, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were charmed in the draft. Josiah Trotter and Keionte Scott were fine picks. 

Some Draft Hauls That I Liked

Knee-jerk draft grades are about as stupid as a mock draft in September. I prefer to simply pick teams that selected players that I liked.

Some Draft Hauls That I Liked

Minnesota Vikings (of course)

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. Chuck Demmings, CB, Stephen F Austin

6. Demond Claiborne, RB, Wake Forest

7. Gavin Gerhardt. C, Cincinnati

The most interesting aspect of the Vikings picks is that I was surprised by all five of the players they selected over the first two days. Caleb Banks was my favorite for the 18th pick after he ripped up the Senior Bowl and performed well at the Scouting Combine. If he hadn’t broken his foot Indianapolis, I wouldn’t have been surprised by his selection at all. After all, defensive tackle was one of the team’s biggest needs and he has the potential to be elite. The foot issues dropped him to more of a second-round curiosity. If the Vikings are good with his medicals, I’m fine with them. In recent years, I’ve envied teams that have selected multiple players at a particular position. The attacked a particular weakness with redundancy and potentially turned a weakness into a strength. I can not wait to see Banks and Domonique Orange on the Vikings defensive line. Jake Golday and Jakobe Thomas are excellent additions to the versatile, often position-less defense. With the offensive line injuries of last season, selecting a talented offensive tackle in third round. He immediately provides capable depth and projects as Brian O’Neill’s heir. The Day 1 and 2 selections were surprises. The Day 3 were the opposite. Max Bredeson, Chuck Demmings, and Demond Claiborne. As for Gavin Gerhardt, I expected the Vikings to address center earlier in the draft. Perhaps Connor Lew or Sam Hecht at the end of the third? It’s a shame the Vikings didn’t have a pick in the fourth.

Baltimore Ravens 

1. Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

2. Zion Young, Edge, Missouri

3. Ja’Kobi Lane, WR, USC

4. Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana

4. Matthew Hibner, TE, SMU

5. Chandler Rivers, CB, Duke

5. Josh Cuevas, TE, Alabama

5. Adam Randall, RB, Clemson

6. Ryan Eckley, P, Michigan State

7. Rayshaun Benny, DL, Michigan

7. Evan Beernsten, G, Northwestern

The Baltimore Ravens annually haul in one of my favorite draft classes. Every year, they sit back and let the draft fall to them. It’s actually kind of annoying. Olaivavega Ioane was the guard and arguably the best offensive lineman in the draft. Of course, guard was one of the biggest needs of the Ravens and he fell to the middle of the first round simply because he plays guard. If Ioane played tackle the way he plays guard, he’d probably be one of the first five picks. Zion Young falls to the Ravens in the second. Ja’Kobi Lane falls to the Ravens in the third. Chandler Rivers falls to the Ravens in the fifth. It was a typical Ravens draft. Annoying.

Carolina Panthers

1. Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

2. Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech

3. Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee 

4. Will Lee III, CB, Texas A&M

5. Sam Hecht, C, Kansas State

5. Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State

7. Jackson Kuwatch, LB, Miami (OH)

Lee Hunter, Chris Brazzell II, Will Lee III, Sam Hecht, and Zakee Wheatley were among my favorite players in the draft. As a result, the Carolina Panthers draft haul was a favorite. 

Cleveland Browns

1. Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

1. KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

2. Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

2. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

3. Austin Barber, OT, Florida

5. Parker Brailsford, C, Alabama

5. Justin Jefferson, LB, Alabama

5. Joe Royer, TE, Cincinnati

6. Taylen Green, QB, Arkansas

7. Carsen Ryan, TE, BYU

It helps to have four picks in the first two rounds. I like all four of those picks. If the Cleveland Browns can find a quarterback, the receiving duo of KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston should be fun. I like the Alabama pair in the fifth. 

Dallas Cowboys

1. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

1. Malachi Lawrence, Edge, UCF

3. Jaishawn Barham, Edge, Michigan

4. Drew Shelton, OT, Penn State

4. Devin Moore, CB, Florida

4. LT Overton, Edge, Alabama

7. Anthony Smith, WR, East Carolina

The Dallas Cowboys make this list for Caleb Downs and Jaishawn Barham alone. 

Green Bay Packers

2. Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

3. Chris McClellan, DT, Missouri

4. Dani Dennis-Sutton, Edge, Penn State

5. Jager Burton, C, Kentucky

6. Domani Jackson, CB, Alabama

6. Trey Smack, K, Florida

For a team that didn’t have a first-round pick, the Green Bay Packers brought in a nice class. They mostly make this list for selecting a kicker named Smack.

Kansas City Chiefs

1. Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

1. Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

2. R Mason Thomas, Edge, Oklahoma

4. Jadon Canada, CB, Oregon

5. Emmett Johnson, RB, Nebraska

5. Cyrus Allen, WR, Cincinnati

7. Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU

Having two first-round picks, and using them on players I like, helps. The Kansas City Chiefs secured their spot on this list with the selection of Emmett Johnson.

Las Vegas Raiders

1. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

2. Treydan Stukes, S, Arizona

3. Keyron Crawford, Edge, Auburn

3. Trey Zuhn III, C, Texas A&M

4. Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee 

4. Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas

5. Dalton Johnson, S, Arizona

5. Hezekiah Masses, CB, Cal

6. Malik Benson, WR, Oregon

7. Brandon Cleveland, DT, NC State

The Las Vegas Raiders selected a player that started at Cal (Fernando Mendoza) and a player that finished at Cal (Hezekiah Masses). That alone puts the Raiders on this list. Treydan Stukes and Trey Zuhn III were two of my favorites. 

 

Minnesota Vikings Post-Draft Roster

The 2026 NFL Draft is in the past. Here’s a look at the current Minnesota Vikings roster. 

Minnesota Vikings Post-Draft Roster (87)

Offense (43)

Quarterbacks (4)

Kyler Murray

J.J. McCarthy

Carson Wentz

Max Brosmer

Running Backs (6)

Aaron Jones

Jordan Mason

Zavier Scott

Demond Claiborne

Max Bredeson - fullback

Kejon Owens

Receivers (11)

Justin Jefferson

Jordan Addison

Tai Felton

Myles Price

Jeshaun Jones

Dontae Fleming

Joaquin Davis

Dillon Bell

Shaleak Knotts

Marcus Sanders Jr.

Lyke Wysong 

Tight Ends (5)

T.J. Hockenson

Josh Oliver

Gavin Bartholomew

Ben Yurosek

Bryson Nesbit

Tackles (7)

Christian Darrisaw

Brian O’Neill

Ryan Van Demark

Walter Rouse

Caleb Etienne

Caleb Tiernan

Triston Leigh

Guards (5)

Donovan Jackson

Will Fries

Joe Huber

Henry Byrd

Tomas Rimac

Centers (5)

Blake Brandel

Michael Jurgens

Vershon Lee

Gavin Gerhardt

Delby Lemieux

Defense (40)

Defensive Line (8)

Jalen Redmond

Levi Drake Rodriguez

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins

Elijah Williams

Taki Taimani

Caleb Banks

Domonique Orange

Monkell Goodwine

Outside Linebackers (8)

Andrew Van Ginkel

Dallas Turner

Bo Richter

Tyler Batty

Chaz Chambliss

Jordan Botelho

Cam’Ron Stewart

Arden Walker 

Inside Linebackers (8)

Blake Cashman

Eric Wilson

Ivan Pace Jr.

Josh Ross

Jacob Roberts

Jake Golday

Keli Lawson

Scooby Williams

Cornerbacks (9)

Byron Murphy Jr.

Isaiah Rodgers

James Pierre

Zemaiah Vaughn

Dwight McGlothern

Chuck Demmings

Marcus Allen

Da’Veawn Armstead

Tyreek Chappell

Safeties (7)

Joshua Metellus

Theo Jackson

Jay Ward

Tavierre Thomas

Kahlef Hailassie 

Jakobe Thomas

Jacob Thomas

Special Teams (4)

Kicker

Will Reichard

Punter

Johnny Hekker

Brett Thorson

Long Snapper

Andrew DePaola

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. 

New First Round Order

After about a month of getting set with the order of the 2026 NFL Draft’s first round, the New York Giants and Cincinnati Bengals jumbled things. With negotiations at an impasse between defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and the Giants, it felt like a trade could happen. Yesterday, a trade did happen. The Giants traded the gigantic offense-wrecker to the Cincinnati Bengals for the tenth pick. Already holding the fifth pick, New York now has two picks in the top ten. Here’s the new look order of the first round. 

1.   Las Vegas Raiders

2.   New York Jets

3.   Arizona Cardinals

4.   Tennessee Titans

5.   New York Giants

6.   Cleveland Browns

7.   Washington Commanders

8.   New Orleans Saints

9.   Kansas City Chiefs

10. New York Giants (from Bengals)

11. Miami Dolphins

12. Dallas Cowboys

13. Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons)

14. Baltimore Ravens

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

16. New York Jets (from Colts)

17. Detroit Lions

18. Minnesota Vikings

19. Carolina Panthers

20. Dallas Cowboys (from Packers)

21. Pittsburgh Steelers

22. Los Angeles Chargers

23. Philadelphia Eagles

24. Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars)

25. Chicago Bears

26. Buffalo Bills

27. San Francisco 49ers

28. Houston Texans

29. Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams)

30. Miami Dolphins (from Broncos)

31. New England Patriots

32. Seattle Seahawks

Six teams now have two picks in the first round.

New York Jets: 2,16

New York Giants: 5,10

Cleveland Browns: 6,24

Kansas City Chiefs: 9,29

Miami Dolphins: 11,30

Dallas Cowboys: 12,20

Four more days…

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.