Vikings Cornerbacks

The pre-draft run through the position groups of the Minnesota Vikings continues with the cornerbacks. 

Minnesota Vikings Cornerbacks

Byron Murphy Jr.

Isaiah Rodgers

James Pierre

Dwight McGlothern

Zemaiah Vaughn

Like Isaiah Rodgers last year, the free agency signing this year of James Pierre feels like a strong, under-the-radar signing. The addition gives the Vikings a solid top trio. At 6’2”, Pierre also gives the defense some size at corner. Youngsters Dwight McGlothern and Zemaiah Vaughn provide depth and have intriguing potential. Both are also over 6’2” so they bring some size as well. 

There was some free agency hope that the Vikings would make a big-time corner signing like Jamel Dean or Jaylon Watson. There wasn’t really the salary cap capacity for that sort of free agency addition. I don’t know if many had James Pierre as a target. I do know that there was significant relief when the signing was announced. Everybody loved his sterling PFF grades. Many liked his size and overall solid play. I know that I liked that Vikings new secondary coach Gerald Alexander coached Pierre with the Pittsburgh Steelers. I’ve been a fan of Alexander’s coaching and ability to develop players since his days at Cal nearly a decade ago. If he likes James Pierre, I like James Pierre. 

Cornerback is often a draft need for the Vikings. From first round to seventh round, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see corner be the pick at just about any round of the upcoming draft. A top-notch rookie corner making the trio of Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, and James Pierre a quartet is an exciting prospect. 

Up next: Safeties

Vikings Linebackers

The linebackers are next in this pre-draft run through the position groups of the Minnesota Vikings. 

Minnesota Vikings Linebackers

Outside

Jonathan Greenard

Andrew Van Ginkel

Dallas Turner

Bo Richter

Tyler Batty

Chaz Chambliss

Inside

Blake Cashman

Eric Wilson

Ivan Pace Jr.

Jacob Roberts

Josh Ross

The outside and inside linebackers are very different position groups. It’s best to separate them.

With Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Dallas Turner at the top of the depth chart, outside linebacker is a Vikings strength. The biggest problem with the three is finding enough snaps for all of them. It’s a luxury for defensive coordinator Brian Flores and his coaches. Bo Richter, Tyler Batty, and Chaz Chambliss were all undrafted and provide some rotational snaps.

As for the inside linebackers, Blake Cashman has been brilliant, when healthy, both of his seasons in Minnesota. The fact that he’s missed some time each season is the only concern. Eric Wilson was signed last season for his special teams play. He earned a contract extension this offseason for his excellent play on defense. In Cashman and Wilson, the Vikings have a strong inside linebacker duo. Ivan Pace Jr. has had an up-and-down three years with the Vikings. In his high moments, he looked like a future franchise fixture. In his down moments, he looked like a solid special teams player. His contributions last season were mostly on special teams. If he rebounds this season, the Vikings have a strong interior trio. Jacob Roberts and Josh Ross signed reserve/future contracts in January. Roberts was signed out of the Canadian Football League.

The biggest question about the Vikings linebacker group is probably the age of Andrew Van Ginkel, Blake Cashman, and Eric Wilson. While each will be over 30 at the start of the season, I believe that all have at least two more strong seasons in them. Is that enough to not see either linebacker group as a need in the upcoming draft? Not at all. I can easily see the Vikings using a high pick on an inside or outside linebacker. Especially outside linebacker. An NFL team can never have enough pass rushers. 

Up next: Cornerbacks

Vikings Defensive Line

It’s on to the defense. The defensive line is next in this pre-draft run through the position groups of the Minnesota Vikings. 

Minnesota Vikings Defensive Line

Jalen Redmond

Levi Drake Rodriguez

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins

Taki Taimani

Elijah Williams

Jaylon Hutchings

A year ago, the Vikings defensive line was topped by somewhat big free agent additions in Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. Seeing as both have moved to different teams, it’s safe to say that things didn’t work as hoped. Instead of impact plays consistently coming from Allen and Hargrave, Jalen Redmond emerged as one of the better interior defensive linemen in the league. He now tops this plucky group. All six of the above defensive linemen were either late-round picks or undrafted.

Jalen Redmond - undrafted

Levi Drake Rodriguez - seventh-round

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins - fifth-round

Taki Taimani - undrafted

Elijah Williams - undrafted

Jaylon Hutchings - undrafted

This unheralded and mostly undrafted group of football players have become one of my favorite position groups on the Vikings. Playing in the shadow of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave last season, Jalen Redmond, Levi Drake Rodriguez, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins emerged, especially Redmond. People outside of Minnesota might look at the group and exclaim “Who the hell are they?” I kinda like that in a “chip on the shoulder” sort of way. Now, that doesn’t mean that this unheralded group is headed to Canton. Far from it. It definitely looks like the Vikings have found a gem in Redmond. His is an unusual case. If not for a battle with blood clots in college, he might’ve been an early-round pick rather than being ignored in the 2023 NFL Draft. After being released by the Carolina Panthers, he kept his football dream alive playing a few games with the Arlington Renegades of the XFL. That’s where the Vikings found him in 2024. He played a bit that year and earned a starting role last summer. Rodriguez could be the next defensive lineman to step from his unheralded beginnings. He earned a rotational role as a rookie in 2024. That role increased last season. It remains to be seen if he can handle a starting role. Perhaps his ceiling is as a rotational player. His dedication and work ethic seems to make anything possible. Whatever his role, I love his energy and I love having him on the team. Ingram-Dawkins might be the biggest wildcard of the group. It was generally thought that he would’ve been better off staying at Georgia another season rather than entering the 2025 NFL Draft. If he’d stayed in college, he might’ve been an early-round pick this year. Who knows? What is known is that the Vikings might’ve gotten a steal in the fifth round. Now, it’s on Ingram-Dawkins to play to his potential. Elijah Williams might be another 2025 steal. There’s a too long history of players from HBCUs being under-valued and often ignored completely. Williams should’ve been drafted. He didn’t play a lot last season but he did show that he belonged. Taki Taimani is the only defensive lineman on the roster with nose tackle size. He’s bounced between the practice squad and active roster in his two years with the team. The Vikings signed Jaylon Hutchings in January. He was undrafted in 2024, signed by the Chicago Bears, released by the Bears, and signed by the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. His path to Minnesota resembles that of Redmond. He’s yet to take a regular season NFL snap but it’s easy to dream of Hutchings turning into another defensive lineman gem.

Despite my fondness for this plucky group of football players, it’s easy to see the Vikings spending an early-round draft pick on the position. My biggest defensive line question is whether Brian Flores wants a big, space-eating, block-taking nose tackle-type of player in his defense. I think of his Vince Wilfork days with the New England Patriots and believe that he might. This draft has a few of those players. 

Next up: Linebackers 

Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft Monday on Tuesday

With the double-whammy passings of Minnesota Vikings legends Jeff Siemon and Joey Browner, it was a rough, sad weekend. I wasn’t ready to dabble with a mock draft on Monday. The draft is inevitable and Monday’s Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft falls on Tuesday. 

1. Makai Lemon, WR, USC

2. Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State

3. Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh

3. Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington

5. DeMonte Capehart, DL, Clemson

6. Tanner Koziol, TE, Houston

7. Parker Brailsford, C, Alabama

7. Kaden Wetjen, WR, Iowa

7. Max Bredeson, TE/FB, Michigan

This draft started different than most with USC receiver Makai Lemon dropping to the Vikings at #18. I’ve often resisted the receiver temptation when Jordan Tyson’s been available but I couldn’t resist when Lemon dropped. It feels weird to select a position other than safety, corner, defensive line. A Vikings receiving trio of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Makai Lemon would be a beautiful thing. 

The surprises continued with the Vikings next two picks. Chris Johnson had been a second-round regular in early mock draft exercises. He hasn’t been recently as he seems to have risen closer to a first round pick rather than a mid-second round pick. He’s an easy pick here. I believe that Johnson would be an immediate contributor at outside corner for the Vikings. 

Simply put, Kyle Louis is one of my favorite players in the draft. I feel that Brian Flores would love working with this skilled and versatile defender. I know that I would love seeing Louis play in Flores’ defense. I’d be stunned and thrilled if Louis is still available in the third round.

I’m convinced that the Vikings will draft a running back on Day 2 of the draft. I like all of the running backs that should be available and Jonah Coleman is one of my favorites. 

The Vikings need to supplement the defensive front. DeMonte Capehart in the fifth feels like a steal. All of the Vikings picks in this mock feel like steals. Capehart would be a nice addition to the defensive line rotation. 

The Vikings don’t need a tight end this year. They will need one next year as T.J. Hockenson’s re-worked contract currently has him walking next offseason. Tanner Kozoil would be a nice contributor as a rookie and starter in 2027. 

I like just about everything about this mock draft. I don’t like that center isn’t addressed until the seventh round. I believe that finding an immediate starting center in this draft is one of the Vikings biggest needs. However, having Blake Brandel as a place-holder at center takes off some of the pressure of finding one. Perhaps that’s a reason I passed on Connor Lew, Jake Slaughter, and Logan Jones earlier. At least Parker Brailsford was found in the seventh round of this mock. At 6’2” and 290lbs, he’s even smaller than Garrett Bradbury. That thought likely sends chills down the spine of Vikings fans everywhere. While Brailsford might be a decent center project, I doubt that he bumps Brandel from the starting lineup and into a versatile reserve role this season. 

It’s easy to have favorites at the top of the draft. You do enough of these mocks and favorites are found at the bottom of the draft. Kaden Wetjen and Max Bredeson have become two of my favorites. I thought that Myles Price did a nice job as the Vikings kick and punt returner as a rookie last season. Wetjen could take the return game to a whole other level. Bredeson would immediately be penciled in as the heir to C.J. Ham’s fullback/extra blocker role. 

Until the next one. 

RIP Joey Browner

Well, this can stop. While mourning Saturday’s loss of Jeff Siemon came Sunday’s news that Joey Browner had passed the same day. It’s been a rough weekend. Siemon was only 75. Browner was only 65. I wish the naive thoughts of my youth held true and all my Vikings heroes would play and live forever. 

I don’t even know what to think about the loss of Joey Browner following the loss of Jeff Siemon. How do you process the second when you haven’t fully processed the first? 

Following the “glory years” of the 1970s, the 1980s were a different sort of time for the Minnesota Vikings. For one thing, they moved from the outdoor wildness of Metropolitan Stadium into the indoor predictably of the Metrodome. For another, wins come as easily. Bud Grant retired after the 1983 season, came back after the disastrous 1984 season, and retired again after the 1985 season. The 1980s were a very different decade after the great success of the 1970s. Seeing as the Vikings won none of the three Super Bowls they played in during the 1970s, any success of that decade is relative. A consistent highlight for the Vikings through the 1980s was the strong play of safety Joey Browner. The 1983 NFL Draft was and will always be best known for the quarterbacks selected in the first round. John Elway, Todd Blackledge, Jim Kelly, Tony Eason, Ken O’Brien, and Dan Marino. All of the six were good. Three of them were great. Elway, Kelly, and Marino have busts in Canton. It was a loaded first round with running back Eric Dickerson, tackle Jimbo Covert, and corner Darrell Green joining the three quarterbacks in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Vikings selected Joey Browner with the 19th pick in the 1983 NFL Draft. It was one of the best picks in franchise history. This was one of the league’s historic first rounds and Browner was a big part of that history. He was a great football player. If not for the injuries that shortened his career, he’d have a bust in Canton. He still played 10 years and was one of the best safeties in the league for about eight of them. For a few of those years, he was the best. Safety peer Kenny Easley played fewer years and was great for fewer years and he just got past the erratic Hall of Fame voters. Browner deserves the same. He probably tops my list of Vikings players that have long waited for and deserves to get that Hall call. For what it’s worth, he has received induction into the Pro Football Researchers Association’s Hall of Very Good. That’s been a stepping stone to Canton for many deserving players. 

Since the 1970s, it seems that each decade has brought a singular player that’s become a near universal favorite of Vikings fans. In the 1990s, that player was John Randle. In the 2000s, that player was Randy Moss. For some, that player may have been Antoine Winfield. For the 2010s, that player was, and still is, Harrison Smith. The 2020s are still going but it’s hard to imagine any player topping Justin Jefferson. In the 1980s, that player was Joey Browner. From the safety position, he was a one-man wrecking crew. I will always remember the playoff game against Los Angeles in which he simply took apart the Rams offense. After the game, Rams head coach John Robinson (Browner’s head coach at USC) said that his former player was the best defensive player in the league. He wasn’t wrong. Joey Browner was a great football player. Somehow, he was a great football player that’s ridiculously underrated. 

Losing people is perhaps the most painful price for seeing more years. I’ve been a fan of the Minnesota Vikings for over 50 years. Every player that’s played and every coach that’s coached for the team means something to me. Losing Jeff Siemon and Joey Browner in one day is a rough one. 

RIP Joey Browner

RIP Jeff Siemon

As a young fan of the Minnesota Vikings in the 1970s, I naively believed that all of my heroes would play forever. My earliest football memories were the Vikings annually competing for and in the Super Bowl. From 1973-76, they played in three of the four Super Bowls. If not for a dreadful push-off, it would’ve been four of four. It felt like the Vikings were always going to be playing for NFL titles. Unfortunately, this little kid had it all wrong. Players don’t play forever and the Vikings haven’t been back to a Super Bowl since their loss to the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XI. Players also don’t live forever. As had become a recurring theme in Super Bowls, not a lot went right for the Vikings in that game against the Raiders. One of the few bright spots that day was the play of linebacker Jeff Siemon. It felt like he made every tackle. For a great player with a lot of great games, it might’ve been his best game. Yesterday, Jeff Siemon passed at the age of 75.

Other than his going to Stanford, I liked everything about Jeff Siemon. In a strange Cal-Stanford connection for the Vikings, Siemon was selected with the first round pick acquired from the New England Patriots for quarterback Joe Kapp. Siemon is the best Stanford player to ever play for the Vikings. If not the best, Joe Kapp is the most significant Cal player to ever play for the Vikings. Anyway, Siemon’s play on the field easily erased any stupid Stanford issues that I might’ve had. The Vikings annually fielded outstanding defenses in the late 1960s and into the 1970s. Those defenses were known for and fronted by one of the greatest defensive lines in NFL history. Alan Page, Carl Eller, Jim Marshall, and Gary Larsen/Doug Sutherland cast a long shadow over the defenders that played behind them. In Roy Winston, Lonnie Warwick, and Wally Hilgenberg, the Vikings had good, solid linebackers. They cleaned up nicely what that menacing front line left behind. Jeff Siemon is arguably the first great Vikings linebacker. He was the first that was able to emerge from the shadow cast by Page, Eller, and Marshall as an outstanding football player like them rather than because of them. Bud Grant never really trusted rookies to start right away. Alan Page was the first that truly challenged that lack of trust. Siemon was the second. He replaced Warwick in the lineup six games into his rookie season. My first Vikings linebacker trio was Roy Winston-Jeff Siemon-Wally Hilgenberg and I loved them. Despite being the youngest by several years, Siemon was easily the standout. That trio was together from 1972 until Matt Blair fully bumped Winston in 1976. It’s strange to look back and see that Siemon played at 235 lbs. He always looked bigger than that. Maybe it’s because Page, Eller, and Marshall weren’t much bigger. Maybe it’s simply because I was smaller. All of those Vikings were giants to me. Who knows? I do know that these young eyes could see that Siemon excelled at everything demanded of a linebacker in those days. He could defend the run. He could drop back in coverage. He was always where he needed to be. He was a great football player. 

Jeff Siemon was a great football player at every level of the game. His play at Bakersfield High School earned him induction into the California High School Hall of Fame. He was an All-American at Stanford and helped lead that pompous school to back-to-back Rose Bowl wins. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. He was a first round pick in the 1972 NFL Draft and earned Pro Bowl honors in four of his first six years with the Vikings. His excellent 11-year career in Minnesota earned him a spot in 2010 among the 50 Greatest Vikings. If the Vikings had managed to win even one of the three Super Bowls he played, Siemon would have an argument for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was one of the best middle linebackers of his era. Oh, that era. The 1970s were my introduction to football, the Minnesota Vikings, and the National Football League. I will always look back at those days with fondness. Honestly, it doesn’t really feel that long ago. On good days, Super Bowl XI doesn’t feel 50 damn years ago. On other days, I feel the time. I probably feel it most by those no longer here. That linebacker trio of my youth are all gone now. It takes the wind out of me. 

RIP Jeff Siemon

Vikings Offensive Line

The pre-draft run through the position groups of the Minnesota Vikings brings us to the offensive line.

Minnesota Vikings Offensive Line

Starters:

Christian Darrisaw

Donovan Jackson

Blake Brandel

Will Fries

Brian O’Neill 

The rest:

Ryan Van Demark

Michael Jurgens

Walter Rouse

Joe Huber

Henry Byrd

Vershon Lee

Caleb Etienne

Last offseason, the Vikings stressed improvement of the interior of the offensive line. Guard Will Fries and center Ryan Kelly were signed in free agency. Guard Donovan Jackson was selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. On paper, it looked like a success. On the field, it never really got started. Due to injuries, the projected starting offensive line played together for about 80 plays. Over the 17-game season, the re-made Vikings starting offensive line was on the field for the equivalent of about one game. The pre-game and in-game shuffling of the group was a significant reason for quarterback injuries and a wildly inconsistent offense. It’s a minor miracle the Vikings managed to win nine games. 

That was last season. This is a look at this season’s offensive line. The biggest change among the starting five is the retirement of center Ryan Kelly. For now, Blake Brandel is the placeholder at the position. Last season was his first time playing in the middle. He held up well. He held up well enough that he’s considered the potential starter now. Perhaps the biggest hope for the offensive line is that left tackle Christian Darrisaw returns to his form before the October 2024 kneed injury. His rehab from that injury seemed to be going well through training camp. Then came the regular season. Nearly every week was a “will he or won’t he play” question. Several times that decision came down to game time. Never knowing if or how long Darrisaw would play in each game was a problem. One of many problems. As a rookie, left guard Donovan Jackson improved throughout the season. As a big free agent signing returning from a significant leg injury, right guard Will Fries also improved throughout the season. The best days for both are in front of them. While tipping the clock at 30, 31 in September, Brian O’Neill is still an excellent and reliable at right tackle. 

With a healthy Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill at the tackle spots and Donovan Jackson and Will Fries at the guard spots, the Vikings have the foundation for one of the better offensive lines in the league. I expect the Vikings to find their center on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft. With that, the starting offensive line has to stay on the field. A consistent offensive line and the Vikings are a contender. Because of the injuries and inconsistencies, the free agent signing of Ryan Van Demark is one of the most significant additions of the offseason. Finding a center in the draft allows Blake Brandel to back up nearly every position on the line. Van Demark and Brandel are outstanding, versatile backups and give the Vikings a strong seven offensive linemen. They need improvement from the remaining depth. Perhaps that improvement will come from one or more currently on the roster. As an undrafted rookie, Joe Huber showed potential in the one game he was forced to play last season. Former late-round pick tackle Walter Rouse certainly looks the part, After two seasons on the roster, he needs to show he’s more than ready if needed. The same can be said of center/guard Michael Jurgens. 

Up next: Defensive Line

Vikings Tight Ends

The tight ends are next in this pre-draft dive into the position groups of the Minnesota Vikings.

Minnesota Vikings Tight Ends

T.J. Hockenson

Josh Oliver

Ben Yurosek

Gavin Bartholomew

Bryson Nesbit

The Vikings tight end situation is remarkably similar to their running back position. Both position groups are topped by a talented player likely in their final year with the team. T.J. Hockenson has been mostly great in his 3.5 years in Minnesota. He’d probably be even better if it wasn’t for the knee injury that came from another Kerby Joseph cheap shot. That injury ended his 2023 and mostly wrecked his 2024 season. If it wasn’t for that injury, it’s possible that his contract wouldn’t have needed re-work and this 2026 wouldn’t be his last with the Vikings. When he’s healthy and the Vikings quarterback situation is healthy, Hockenson is a weapon. Josh Oliver is an excellent compliment to Hockenson and an outstanding blocker. Oliver’s role in the Vikings offense is significant. Gavin Bartholomew was a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. He missed all of his rookie season with a preseason back injury. Ben Yurosek and Bryson Nesbit were undrafted free agents. Yurosek earned some playing time and had a couple catches. Bartholomew, Yurosek, and Nesbit are developmental prospects with a new position coach in Ryan Cordell. 

Like the Vikings running backs position, the tight end position isn’t an immediate need. That’s because the player that tops the depth chart is on the roster for one more season. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Vikings address the tight end position at any point in the draft. 

Next up: Offensive Line

Vikings Receivers

The receivers are next in this pre-draft look at the position groups of the Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings Receivers

Justin Jefferson

Jordan Addison

Tai Felton

Myles Price

Jeshaun Jones

Dontae Fleming

Joaquin Davis

With the free agency departure of productive WR3 Jalen Nailor, the Vikings receiver group has become Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and a bunch of guys. Jefferson and Addison are the best receiving duo in the league. Well, as long as Addison keeps himself on the field and out of trouble, they are the best receiving duo in the league. Tai Felton was drafted in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft to possibly replace Nailor as WR3. In his rookie season, he developed into a very good gunner. He had only a few appearances on offense. He had three catches for 25 yards in those appearances. Felton has terrific speed and natural athletic ability. Coming into the league, he was pigeon-holed as a receiver that needed touches manufactured for him. He can be a terror with the ball in his hands. He just has to refine and develop some of the nuances of the receiver position. The Vikings need Felton to take some steps forward on offense. As an undrafted rookie, Myles Price emerged as an impact returner last season. I’m not sure if much is expected from him on offense. Jeshaun Jones has spent two seasons on the Vikings practice squad. He did get promoted and appeared in one game last season. He had a couple catches in that game. Dontae Fleming was signed last spring after going undrafted. He spent the season on the practice squad. Joaquin Davis was signed to the practice squad in December and signed a reserve/future contract in January. The thing about Davis that stands out most is his 6’4” size. And he has decent speed for that size. 

The talents of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison can mask the need at the receiver position. The need is such that the Vikings should sign a free agent skilled and experienced enough to immediately step in as WR3. The position should also be considered early in the draft. Even if Tai Felton steps up and plays to the level expected of a player selected in the third round, receiver needs to be addressed in both free agency and early in the draft.

Next up; Tight Ends

Vikings Running Backs

In this pre-draft trip through the position groups of the Minnesota Vikings, it’s time for the running backs. 

Minnesota Vikings Running Backs

Aaron Jones

Jordan Mason

Zavier Scott

The Vikings entered this offseason with a significant salary cap situation. They were about $45 million over the cap. Aaron Jones was a casualty of the situation. For ten days, it looked like team and player were going their separate ways. Then the Vikings signed Jones to a new, more affordable deal. For a third season, it looks like he’ll top the running back depth chart. When he’s healthy, Jones is still a versatile, dynamic running back. Jordan Mason returns as a bigger, hard-charging change of pace. Jones and Mason complement each other well. After spending the 2024 season on the practice squad, Zavier Scott earned some playing time last season. Running backs with a receiver past have always intrigued me. There aren’t a lot of backs that can legitimately run a receiver route tree. Scott played both running back and receiver in college at Connecticut and Maine. Scott is a good running back. His touchdown catch last season showed that he also has receiver skills. For now, he looks like a solid and versatile, third running back.

With Aaron Jones re-signed and Jordan Mason returning, running back isn’t an immediate draft need. Still, Jones is 31. Mason is on the last year of his contract. Moving forward, running back is a need. I expect the Vikings to select a running back on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft. If a particular running back falls to the #18 pick, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s the pick. In fact, I’d be surprised if he wasn’t. 

Next up: Receivers

Vikings Quarterbacks

With NFL free agency in its final waves and the 2026 NFL Draft a month away, it’s a fine time to look at each of the Minnesota Vikings position groups. As always, it starts with the quarterbacks. 

Minnesota Vikings Quarterbacks

Kyler Murray

J.J. McCarthy

Carson Wentz

Max Brosmer

No Vikings position group has been more transformed this offseason than the quarterbacks. There’s a reason for that. Since Kevin O’Connell was hired as the head coach in 2022, the Vikings were 27-7 in the two seasons with, at least, average quarterback play. In the two seasons in which injuries wiped out any hope of quarterback consistency, the Vikings were 16-18. In 2023, the Vikings played four quarterbacks. Josh Dobbs was signed just days before he was forced to play in a game. Late-round rookie Jaren Hall wasn’t close to being ready to play in an NFL game and he started two of them. In 2025, the Vikings played three quarterbacks. Two had never taken an NFL snap before the season. Like Hall, undrafted Max Brosmer wasn’t ready for an NFL game and he started two and played in seven. The Vikings don’t want a repeat of the quarterback disasters of 2023 and 2025. At the Scouting Combine, both O’Connell and interim general manager Rob Brzezinski stressed the need for a deep and capable quarterback room. Hopefully, the Vikings never again have the quarterback injuries of those two seasons. If a third quarterback is needed in 2026, there must be a third quarterback that can confidently come in and win a game, or more. No more rookies not ready for an NFL regular season game. No more desperate, in-season trades. 

Overall, the Vikings have not been active in free agency. They have been active in the quarterback market with the signing of Kyler Murray and re-signing of Carson Wentz. The Arizona Cardinals are paying nearly $40 million of Murray’s 2026 salary. That generosity gave the Vikings the opportunity to sign Murray for a league-minimum $1.3 million. It’s the league’s best bargain. As Kevin O’Connell said after the signing, he doesn’t have to name a starting quarterback in March. That’s true. There will be a competition. Despite that competition, the easy assumption is that Murray will be the starter in September. Many talking heads have speculated that the signing of Murray and re-signing of Wentz will spark the end of J.J McCarthy’s short time in Minnesota. It’s a knee-jerk, idiotic take. McCarthy is the only quarterback on the roster signed beyond 2026. The Vikings liked him enough in the 2024 NFL Draft to trade up a spot to secure his selection with the 10th pick. His ten starts last year had more bright than shaky moments. Most of his shaky moments followed injuries. He had three injuries that caused him to miss games. A curious thing about those injuries was that he continued to play after each. Five of his seven interceptions came while he continued to player injured. In that sense, he and the coaches could’ve been smarter last year. I don’t see Murray or Wentz on the roster as a threat to McCarthy’s present or future time in Minnesota. The signings of Murray and Wentz were simply to give the Vikings the best possible quarterback options this season. Anything after that is a question for next season. 

After a season peppered with problems at football’s most important position, the Vikings decided that they had to build a strong quarterback room. It’s only March and it’s only on paper but it looks like the Vikings can now confidently go three-deep at quarterback. 

Next up: Vikings Running Backs

Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft Monday

It’s another Monday closer to the 2026 NFL Draft. Here’s another swing at a mock draft for the Minnesota Vikings.

1. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

2. Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State

3. Jake Slaughter, C, Florida

3. Kaleb Proctor, DL, Southeastern Louisiana

5. Demond Claiborne, RB, Wake Forest

6. Tyren Montgomery, WR, John Carroll

7. Noah Thomas, WR, Georgia

7. Max Bredeson, FB/TE, Michigan

7. Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota State

These mocks are often frustrating because I’m at the mercy of the rankings created by Pro Football Focus. I rarely agree with PFF’s view of football. I doubt that the views of the league’s decision-makers align with the PFF grades either. For example, since the scouting combine, Oregon safety Dillion Thienemen never gets close to the Minnesota Vikings 18th pick. Despite all of that, mock drafts are fun and I kinda like this one.

I see the Minnesota Vikings entering the 2026 NFL Draft with the following needs. 

Safety

Cornerback

Defensive Line

Center

Running Back

Receiver

Linebacker

Basically every position can be considered a Vikings need. It’s the first four of the above positions that must be filled in the draft. In every mock draft I do, safety, corner, defensive line, and center are addressed with the early picks. This mock draft does that. 

More often than not, safety or corner is my pick in the first round. Just to shake things up, I sometimes take a swing at a defensive lineman. I really hope the Vikings come out of the real first round with one of the following players.

Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

In this draft, the pick is the Toledo safety. I believe that he’d be a Day 1 starter. I feel that I lucked into corner Chris Johnson in the second. Come draft day, I believe that Johnson will be a consideration for teams at the end of the first round. The 17th pick in the second round isn’t likely. If the Vikings do luck into Johnson in the second round, I believe that he’d join McNeil-Warren as a Day 1 starter. 

While Blake Brandel is a nice place-holder, I believe that the Vikings must draft a starting center. It’s a good year to need a center as there are few in this draft that could start right away. The Vikings will probably have to use one of their three Day 2 picks on that center. In this mock, it’s their first pick of the third round. With Jake Slaughter, this mock draft would provide the Vikings with three immediate starters in the first three picks. 

I’ve really come to like Kaleb Proctor from what might be considered the second tier of this draft’s defensive linemen. If the position is addressed in the third round of these mocks, I often have to decide between Proctor and Missouri’s Chris McClellan. At more than 320lbs, McClellan is the much bigger player. In deciding between the two, it’s a decision between the smaller, quicker Proctor and the bigger, line-plugger McClellan. 

After bringing back Aaron Jones, running back isn’t an immediate need. This isn’t the running back daft class that last year’s draft brought to the league. There’s still a few intriguing backs that should be available on Day 2 and a couple into Day 3. Demond Claiborne might be one of those available on Day 3. I wish the Vikings had a fourth-round pick to secure one of those intriguing backs. In this mock, Claiborne was an easy pick in the fifth. 

As easy as Demond Claiborne was to pick in the fifth round, selecting Tyren Montgomery in the sixth round was even easier. I assume that he’s being undervalued for playing at itty bitty John Carroll. Don Shula made it work. Maybe Montgomery follows Shula’s path to NFL glory.

Of the last three picks, Max Bredeson is probably the one with the best chance to find an immediate role. I see him as a successor to C.J. Ham at fullback. I’m curious about Noah Thomas for his 6’5” size. I believe that the Vikings could really use a receiver of that size. 

Good things can happen when a team adds a developmental quarterback in, or after, every draft. Cole Payton is this year’s quarterback. 

Until the next mock draft. 

A Vikings Defense

Most of the offseason talk has been about the Minnesota Vikings offense. That happens when there’s quarterback questions. It’s always about the quarterback in today’s NFL. This is a look at a potential Vikings defense. 

Vikings Defense

DE	Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
NT	Taki Taimani
DE	Jalen Redmond
OLB	Jonathan Greenard
LB	Blake Cashman
LB	Eric Wilson
OLB	Andrew Van Ginkel
CB	Byron Murphy Jr.
CB	Isaiah Rodgers
S	Josh Metellus
S	Harrison Smith

Brian Flores has become one of the league’s highest-paid coordinators for a reason. He crafts a defense that gives offenses problems. The Vikings have improved in each of his three years in Minnesota. Over those three years, the talent has improved. Flores didn’t have much to work with that first year. He has some players now. That’s only helped his schemes. 

The above defense is pulled from the players currently on the roster. Due to salary cap constraints, it’s been a modest free agency. James Pierre was signed early during the “legal tampering” stage and is a nice addition to the cornerback room. Unless the Vikings sign a player or two in the latter stages of free agency, any contributing players to the defense will be found in the draft. 

The big remaining move before the draft may be the career decision of safety Harrison Smith. Technically, he’s already been released. It isn’t official until he announces that he’s done. Personally, I’m nowhere near ready for Smith to retire. I can’t imagine a Vikings defense without #22. I believe that he returns. With or without his return, safety is a need. His 2026 return would simply lessen safety as an immediate need. 

The above defense doesn’t include Dallas Turner. He might be the most physically gifted player on the Vikings defense. I believe that he’s on the verge of ripping up the NFL. Somehow, Flores must get Turner on the field without significantly cutting into the snaps of Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel. The three of them on the field together is an exciting thing. 

It’s easy to see every level of the Vikings defense as draft needs. There’s potential on the defensive line but Jalen Redmond is the only proven presence. At linebacker, Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson are great but both will be over 30 at the start of the season. Cashman has also battled through injuries in each of his two seasons in Minnesota. Cornerback always seems to be a need. Safety is a need partly because Harrison Smith can’t play forever. 

It’s difficult to imagine a 2026 Vikings draft not topped by defensive players. It’s impossible to imagine the Vikings 2026 starting defense not including a pick, or two, from the draft. 

Minnesota Vikings Free Agency Ledger

Compared to some recent years, the Minnesota Vikings have been modestly active in free agency. Two weeks into the offseason and four players have been added to the roster. 

Kyler Murray, QB

James Pierre, CB

Johnny Hekker, P

Ryan Van Demark, OT

Of course, Kyler Murray is the highlight signing. It’s always about the quarterback in today’s NFL. The Vikings are the beneficiaries of the Arizona Cardinals paying nearly all of Murray’s large quarterback contract. Minnesota’s share of his income this year is only $1.3 million. The Cardinals are chipping in nearly $40 million. That’s very nice of them. Murray is easily the quarterback bargain of the league. Between that and his proven talent, the signing is also considered one of the best and most impactful. 

James Pierre will have a significant cornerback role in the Vikings secondary. At 6’2”, he adds some needed size to the current starting duo of Byron Murphy Jr., and Isaiah Rodgers. At best, Pierre is a CB3 and reliable starter, if needed. At worst, he’s an excellent CB4. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores and new defensive backs coach Gerald Alexander are familiar with him from their respective time with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pierre is also an excellent special teams player. 

With the free agency departure of Ryan Wright, the Vikings needed a punter. They turned to 36-year old Johnny Hekker. It’d be brilliant if they were getting Hekker from ten years ago. As it is, the Vikings added a still solid punter. He’s also an excellent holder. 

The Vikings took a rare dip into restricted free agency to sign offensive tackle Ryan Van Demark. He was a restricted free agent with the Buffalo Bills. He was tendered at a level that gave the Bills the right to match any offer but wouldn’t receive compensation if they declined. Yesterday, the Bills declined to match. The Vikings needed a swing tackle and positional security. Christian Darrisaw’s on-again, off-again return from a torn ACL during the 2024 season was a big part of the 2025 offensive line injury woes. Van Demark could be a key offseason addition. 

This week, the Vikings re-signed quarterback Carson Wentz. In Kevin O’Connell’s four seasons as the Minnesota head coach, two were wrecked by quarterback injuries. In 2023, injuries forced four quarterbacks onto the field. Last year, three quarterbacks had to play. In both seasons, a rookie had to take the field that clearly wasn’t ready for the NFL. O’Connell and the rest of the team’s decision-makers wanted no repeat of those quarterbacking woes. They wanted an improved quarterback room. The ideal is, of course, no injuries. The Vikings wanted and need a deep and competent quarterback group. Two of the moves of the first two weeks addressed that need. This is the Vikings current quarterback room.

Kyler Murray

J.J. McCarthy

Carson Wentz

Max Brosmer

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Vikings add a rookie quarterback late in the draft or sign one after the draft to compete with Max Brosmer for a developmental role. As Kevin O’Connell stated, there’s no need to name a starter in March. As a fan, it’s impossible to not imagine September’s depth chart in March. The above is how I see it. 

The Vikings have added four outside free agents. In addition to those signings, the following internal free agents have been re-signed. 

Staying

Aaron Jones, RB

Eric Wilson, LB

Tavierre Thomas, S

Andrew DePaola, LS

Jalen Redmond, DL

Bo Richter, OLB

Zavier Scott, RB

Carson Wentz, QB

Jalen Redmond, Bo Richter, and Zavier Scott were tendered as restricted free agents. Richter and Scott have signed those tenders. I expect, and it seems to be expected by most, that Redmond will be signed to longer-term contract. He was an emerging player in 2024. He arrived in 2025. Redmond has earned a long-term deal. 

A few of the Vikings free agents have found new homes. 

Departing

Jonathan Allen, DL - signed with Cincinnati Bengals

Javon Hargrave, DL - signed with Green Bay Packers

Jalen Nailor, WR - signed with Las Vegas Raiders

Ryan Wright, P - signed with New Orleans Saints

Ty Chandler, RB - signed with New Orleans Saints

It’s on to Week 3 of free agency. The Vikings still have some needs. Pickings are getting slim with the available free agents. Perhaps some bargains can be found. I wouldn’t mind seeing a safety and a defensive lineman. That would continue a modest but productive offseason. 

That 2022 Vikings Draft

The Minnesota Vikings selected 10 players in the 2022 NFL Draft. 

1. Lewis Cine, S, Georgia

2. Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson

2. Ed Ingram, G, LSU

3. Brian Asamoah II, LB, Oklahoma

4. Akayleb Evans, CB, Missouri

5. Esezi Otomewo, DL, Minnesota

5. Ty Chandler, RB, North

6. Vederian Lowe, OT, Illinois

6. Jalen Nailor, WR, Michigan State

7. Nick Muse, TE, South Carolina

This was the first draft of general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and the Kevin O’Connell coaching staff. At the time, I was thrilled with this draft. I was a little unsure of Adofo-Mensah’s move to drop 20 spots in the first round in a trade with the Detroit Lions. Many liked Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton with the 12th pick that the Vikings held. Personally, I was partial to Washington corner Trent McDuffie in the first round. Either pick would’ve been a better pick than Lewis Cine. Three trades in the first two rounds netted the Vikings one extra pick. Despite the questionable early movement, I liked the end results. At least, I liked the end results at the time. I really thought that Cine, Andrew Booth, Brian Asamoah II, Akayleb Evans, and Esezi Otomewo were the young additions the defense desperately needed. Ed Ingram was an immediate starter at right guard. Ty Chandler, Jalen Nailor, and Nick Muse were intriguing offensive play-makers. Vederian Lowe looked like a promising late-round offensive lineman. I’m typically optimistic and I thought this draft was filled with potential. 

Those hopeful thoughts didn’t last long. 

1. Lewis Cine never recovered from the brutal broken leg suffered while covering a Week 4 kick against the New Orleans Saints in London. It was an injury so severe that he couldn’t travel home with the team. He spent his 23rd birthday in a London hospital while his team practiced for Week 5 in Eagan. Cine played in 10 games with the Vikings over two seasons.

2. Andrew Booth Jr. was traded to the Dallas Cowboys after two seasons and two starts in Minnesota.

2. If one is looking at starts, Ed Ingram was, by far, the most productive of the Vikings 2022 draft picks. He had 41 starts over three seasons in Minnesota. After three years of wildly inconsistent play the Vikings traded him to the Houston Texans. 

3. Brian Asamoah II had a few flash plays as a rookie in a backup linebacker role. He felt like an emerging player heading into his second season. That stalled with a training camp injury and the emergence of undrafted rookie Ivan Pace Jr. Asamoah stuck on the roster for three seasons with little more than a special teams role. 

4. Pretty much from the start, Akayleb Evans looked like a more promising corner than Andrew Booth Jr. He even claimed a starting role in his second season. It didn’t last long as he was off the roster in his third season. 

5. Esezi Otomewo made a few plays toward the end of his rookie season. He didn’t have a second season in Minnesota. 

5. Ty Chandler was mostly a special teams player and situational runner over the entirety of his contract with the Vikings. His most shining moments came during his second season with four starts and a 100-yard game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

6. Vederian Lowe was traded to the New England Patriots before his second season with the Vikings.

6. Jalen Nailor may have been the best pick of this draft. After battling a series of injuries in his first couple of seasons, he emerged as an impactful third receiver. His departure in the first wave of free agency last week was both disappointing and expected. 

7. For three seasons with the Vikings, Nick Muse had a mostly yo-yo existence between the practice squad and the active roster. After being released late in the 2024 season, Muse was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles just in time for a Super Bowl-winning run. 

10 players drafted by the Vikings. 0 players signed to a second contract by the Vikings. Only Ty Chandler and Jalen Nailor even made it to the end of their rookie contract with the Vikings. Nailor and Ed Ingram received decent to strong second contracts with the Las Vegas Raiders and Houston Texans respectively. Brian Asamoah II, Akayleb Evans, Esezi Otomewo, Ty Chandler, and Vederian Lowe are making their way in the league with other teams. Lewis Cine and Andrew Booth Jr. are out of the league. Again, the Vikings top two picks in the 2022 NFL Draft are no longer in the league. 

Heading into the fifth season since that 2022 NFL Draft, the 10 players selected are no longer on the Minnesota Vikings roster. Only Ed Ingram, Ty Chandler, and Jalen Nailor made anything that can be considered a contribution. The 10 players combined for 82 starts. 82 starts! That’s an average of just over two starts per season for each player. Ingram had half of those 82 starts. Nailor was the only player even remotely deserving of a second contract. The Vikings decided they couldn’t match what the Raiders were offering. 

That 2022 Vikings draft is a draft that can’t ever be repeated. 

Favorite Football Flicks

This post was originally posted prior to the Academy Awards in 2018. It's been re-posted on several occasion since. Basically, it's been re-posted every time football flicks have been on my mind. These are very strange times. Times that call for a football flick. Here are 21 of my favorites. 

21. The Waterboy (1998)

A guilty pleasure movie. The football action is outrageous. 

20. Semi-Tough (1977)
A new addition to the list. Dan Jenkins' book is far more entertaining than the movie but the movie is still fun. Plus, former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joe Kapp is in it. He plays a quarterback named Hose. Gotta love it. 

19. Leatherheads (2008)

This movie depicting the very early days of professional football would probably be higher on the list if I hadn't entered into it with such high hopes. It's an entertaining movie but probably one that I need to see again.

18. The Express (2008) 

The tragic story of Ernie Davis. It might be higher if not for some liberties taken with the accuracy of those times. Like Art Modell being the Browns owner in the 1950s.

17. Invincible (2006)

The improbable football career of NFL-walk-on Vince Papale. Who doesn't love an underdog story like this?

16. All The Right Moves (1983)

The most amazing thing about this movie is Tom Cruise playing cornerback. 

15. Rudy (1993)
Some people love this movie. Others hate it. I guess that I'm somewhere in the middle in liking it. 

14. When The Game Stands Tall (2015)

You just knew that someone was going to make a movie about the incredible story of coach Bob Ladouceur and the De La Salle High Spartans. This was a nicely done look at the season that saw the loss that ended their 151-game win streak as well as the win that was arguably the greatest in school history. 

13. We Are Marshall (2006)

The remarkable rise of a town, a university, and a football team from a devastating plane crash. A great story. 

12. Any Given Sunday (1999)

Oliver Stone with a football movie? Never would have pegged that pairing. 

11. The Longest Yard (1974)

It's a classic. And Joe Kapp's in it. And Ray Nitschke. 

10. The Program (1993)

Despite being a fictional story it probably touches frighteningly close to the truth.

9.  Draft Day (2014)

Some of the trades are ridiculous but it's a very entertaining look at the greatest non-playing day on the football calendar. 

8.  Brian's Song (1971)

This one set the bar for tear-jerker football movies. Great story. Memorable performances. 

7.  Knute Rockne: All-American

A timeless look at one of football's great coaches. 

6.  Everybody's All-American (1988) 

Adapted from the terrific book by Frank Deford. A great but depressing movie. 

5.  Paper Lion (1968)

Another movie adapted from a terrific book. Alan Alda is excellent as George Plimpton. So excellent that I often picture Alda when I think of Plimpton. 

4.  Heaven Can Wait (1978)

A fine remake of Here Come's Mr. Jordan (1941) with a football spin. There was a time, a long time ago, when this was my favorite movie of any genre. 

3.  Undefeated (2011)

This is probably the only football movie to take home an Academy Award. It won for Best Documentary. A great story. A great movie. 

2.  Remember The Titans (2000) 

Great movie. Entertaining movie. You have Denzel Washington but you also have unknown youngsters like Ryan Gosling, Donald Faison, and Hayden Panettiere. 

1.  Friday Night Lights (2006)

Buzz Bissinger's book was outstanding. The movie was good but Friday Night Lights earns the top spot on this list because of the unbelievable television series. They may have lost some traction in the second season but they regained it in the third and never lost it again. This series was one of the best things that I've ever seen on television.

Another Mock Draft

Yesterday, the Denver Broncos overpaid the Miami Dolphins for receiver Jaylen Waddle. In exchange for the receiver, the Broncos sent a first-, a third-, and a fourth-round pick to the Dolphins. That’s a lot of picks for one little receiver. To help offset the overpay a bit, the Broncos do get a fourth-round pick back from the Dolphins. There are, once again, five teams with two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. 

New York Jets: 2,16

Cleveland Browns: 6,24

Kansas City Chiefs: 9,29

Miami Dolphins: 11,30

Dallas Cowboys: 12,20

About a week ago, the Las Vegas Raiders were one of the five team with two first-round picks. Then, the Maxx Crosby trade fell through. Now, that fifth team is the Dolphins. Despite the overpay, I doubt the Broncos will get cold feet will follow the Ravens and renege on the deal. 

Now, there’s a need for another mock draft. 

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

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

3.   Arizona Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

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

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

6.   Cleveland Browns: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech

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: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

11. Miami Dolphins: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

12. Dallas Cowboys: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

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

14. Baltimore Ravens: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

16. New York Jets (from Colts): Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

17. Detroit Lions: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

18. Minnesota Vikings: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

19. Carolina Panthers: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

20. Dallas Cowboys (from Packers): Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

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

25. Chicago Bears: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

26. Buffalo Bills: Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn

27. San Francisco 49ers: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

28. Houston Texans: Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon

29. Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams): Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

30. Miami Dolphins: Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M

31. New England Patriots: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

32. Seattle Seahawks: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

Until the next one. 

Top Remaining Free Agents

After a furious first few days of free agency, signings have slowed considerably. After that first wave, the next wave looks to be more like a trickle. Here are some of the best available free agents.

Top Remaining Free Agents

1.   Juaun Jennings, WR

2.   L’Jarius Sneed, CB

3.   Tyreek Hill, WR

4.   Kirk Cousins, QB

5.   Taylor Decker, OT

6.   Deebo Samuel, WR

7.   David Njoku, TE

8.   Kyle Dugger, S

9.   A.J. Epenesa, DL

10. Wyatt Teller, G

11. Cameron Jordan, Edge

12. D.J. Reader, DL

13. Joey Bosa, Edge

14. Jonnu Smith, TE

15. Hollywood Brown, WR

16. Stefon Diggs, WR

17. Trevon Diggs, CB

18. Bobby Okereke, LB

19. Calais Campbell, DL

20. Joel Bitonio, G

21. Jadeveon Clowney, Edge

22. Haason Reddick, Edge

23. Brian Robinson Jr., RB

24. Kevin Zeitler, G

25. Darren Waller, TE

26.. Kyle Van Noy, Edge

27. Lloyd Cushenberry, C

28. Yetur Gross-Matos, Edge

29. Logan Wilson, LB

30. Kenneth Murray, LB

Some bargains can be found. 

Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft Monday

It’s Monday and the start of a new week closer to the 2026 NFL Draft. Here’s another Minnesota Vikings mock draft. With last week’s announcement of the compensatory picks, we finally know the draft picks that the Vikings hold.

Minnesota Vikings Draft Picks

1. #18

2. #49

3. #82

3. #97 - compensatory

5. #163 - from Philadelphia Eagles 

6. #196 - from Indianapolis Colts

7. #234 

7. #235 - from Carolina Panthers

7. #244 - from Houston Texans

Another Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft

1. Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

2. A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU

3. Connor Lew, C, Auburn

3. Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington

5. Zane Durant, DL, Penn State 

6. John Michael Gyllenborg, TE, Wyoming

7. Kade Wetjen, WR, Iowa

7. Tristan Leigh, OT, Clemson

7. Brett Thorson, P, Georgia

I can’t seem to fit a linebacker into very many of these damn mock drafts. It’s become a pattern. With every mock attempted, I try to find the following positions.

Cornerback

Safety

Center 

Running Back

Defensive Lineman

Linebacker

Receiver

Tight End

With nine picks, it should be easy to address eight positions. I can’t seem to do it. In this draft, I failed to find a linebacker. As often as linebacker, the missing position is tight end. I guess there’s never enough picks to address every position. 

It’s early and I’ve already fallen for several players in the 2026 Draft.

Dillion Thieneman, S Oregon

Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State

D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana

Lee Hunter, DL, Texas Tech

Gracen Halton, DL, Oklahoma

Kaleb Proctor, DL, Southeastern Louisiana 

Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech

Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh

Connor Lew, C, Auburn

Logan Jones, C, Iowa

Brian Parker II, C, Duke

Emmett Johnson, RB, Nebraska

Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington

Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas

Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State

Kaden Wetjen, WR, Iowa

I wish that I could jam all of the above players into a Vikings draft.

A Vikings Offense

With only two outside signings, the Minnesota Vikings haven’t been active in free agency. One of those signings was quarterback Kyler Murray. Signing a former #1 pick quarterback with unique and elite talents is a significant addition. Despite a stated competition with incumbent J.J. McCarthy, Murray is penciled in as the Vikings starting quarterback in 2026. Picturing Kyler Murray in the Vikings offense has been fun. Here’s a look at the potential offense. 

Vikings 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
TE	Josh Oliver

The Vikings have rostered a fullback since 1961. With C.J. Ham retiring, it’ll be interesting to see if that continues. Until that question is answered, I’m listing second tight end Josh Oliver in place of a fullback. With or without a fullback, the Vikings often play with two tight ends. As for three-receiver sets, the Vikings lost #3 Jalen Nailor to the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency. 2025 third-round pick Tai Felton is the next receiver up. 

On paper, this Vikings offense looks exciting and explosive. None of that will happen if the offensive line injuries and inconsistencies of last season creep into this season. If the five starters play together for, hopefully, the entire season, this offense is going to shred defenses. For now, Blake Brandel is a placeholder at the center position. I’m expecting the Vikings to find their center of the present and the future on Day 2 of the draft. Brandel can potentially back up all five positions. It isn’t glamorous but that could be his greatest value too the team. 

Other than center, the Vikings offensive starters already feel settled. That doesn’t mean there aren’t needs. I can see a receiver being added in free agency. Otherwise, supplemental additions will be found in the draft. The offensive draft needs:

Running Back

Tight End

Wide Receiver

Offensive Line depth - potentially an eventual heir to Brian O’Neill at right tackle

Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason form a nice 1-2 combination at running back. Jones is 31. I expect the Vikings to search for their next running back on Day 2 of the draft. They have three Day 2 picks. I’m already penciling in center and running back for two of those three picks. I sure hope the draft falls their way. The Vikings tight end situation is near identical to their running back situation. T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver are a nice 1-2. The coming season is probably Hockenson’s last in Minnesota. Their next tight end could be found on Day 3 of the draft. 

I still have faith in J.J. McCarthy. Despite that faith, I’m really looking forward to seeing Kyler Murray lead this offense in 2026. Then, the Vikings will have a decision to make this time next year. 

Remaining Minnesota Vikings Free Agency

Through two days of “legal tampering” and three days of actual free agency, the Minnesota Vikings have signed two players.

James Pierre, CB

Kyler Murray, QB

Other than the fireworks of signing a quarterback of Kyler Murray’s stature, it’s been a pretty quiet few days in Minnesota. It was mostly expected. The Vikings didn’t have a lot of cap space. They even had to shed and massage contracts to get to the limited cap space that they do have. They also had to luck into a league-minimum $1.3 million contract for their splashy quarterback signing. If the Vikings had to pay Murray’s market-rate contract, it wouldn’t happen. Through five days of free agency, the Vikings have handed out something like $7 million in guaranteed money. They passed that mark in past years before the first day of tampering was done. 

Again, this wasn’t expected to be an active free agency for the Vikings. It wasn’t because of a lack of needs. They have plenty of needs. Most are going to be addressed in the draft. The Vikings must reverse their recent draft woes. Those woes resulted in a reliance on free agency. That’s an expensive way to exist in the NFL. The roster isn’t peppered with young, home-grown talent. That’s the main reason Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is working in San Francisco and no longer directing drafts in Minnesota. Still, there are a few needs that should be addressed in the remaining days of free agency. Here are some that I see,

QB3

WR3

Safety

Defensive Line

Head coach Kevin O’Connell and interim general manager Rob Brzezinski have both mentioned the need to create the strongest quarterback room possible. That’s a good strategy. Even after signing Kyler Murray to “compete” with J.J. McCarthy, the Vikings need a very capable #3. No more trotting out an ill-prepared Jaren Hall or Max Brosmer for must-win regular season games. Or any regular season games. With Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, the top of the receiver group is outstanding. Jalen Nailor’s departure opened the need for a third receiver. Perhaps, last year’s third-round pick Tai Felton makes that role his own. Even if that happens, the Vikings need some quality depth. A couple years ago, safety was a strength in both quality and quantity. Cam Bynum departed last offseason. Harrison Smith may or may not retire this offseason. I can’t imagine a Vikings defense without #22. I don’t want to see a Vikings defense without #22. Whether he returns or retires, the position is in transition. I expect safety to be addressed in the first couple rounds of the draft. It’d be nice to add a veteran in free agency. As for defensive line, the Vikings currently roster a very young and intriguing collection of undrafted, underrated, unheralded football players. I’m so taken by this group that, despite their unheralded status, I’d rather see the Vikings add to the group than replace them. A veteran addition could help. So, with those positions in mind, here are some of the players I wouldn’t mind seeing the Vikings sign. 

Carson Wentz, QB

Juaun Jennings/Christian Kirk, WR

Kyle Dugger, S

AJ Epenesa, DL

The league-wide free agent activity of the first week has left slim pickings. With what’s left, those players stand out. I’d like to see Carson Wentz re-signed. A quarterback room of Kyler Murray, J.J. McCarthy, and Carson Wentz would make it easier to sleep at night. The most pricey of the above is probably Juaun Jennings. I’m actually surprised that he’s still available. Perhaps his demands are higher than the Vikings, and other teams, can or are willing to pay. Christian Kirk is perhaps a cheaper alternative that knows Murray well. I’ve been a fan of Kyle Dugger since the 2020 pre-draft process. He played the last half of the past season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. New Vikings secondary coach Gerald Alexander coached the Steelers defensive backs last season. Alexander should know if Dugger can add something to the Vikings defense. AJ Epenesa was a sold defensive presence for the Buffalo Bills and could be a very good rotational player on the Vikings defensive line. 

I believe that the above signings would set the Vikings up nicely for the draft. That should be the purpose of free agency. Fill some holes in free agency. Fill the roster with young, strong draft picks.