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.