The Vikings shook operations up only a bit throughout free company, notably including quarterback Kyler Murray and CB3 James Pierre, along with new punter Johnny Hekker and offensive sort out Ryan Van Demark. So, it’s time for a mock draft — model 3.0 — the second-to-last earlier than the principle occasion on April twenty third.
This seven-round projection leans protection early and retains constructing Minnesota’s depth for the lengthy haul.
As all the time, these mock drafts are predictive, not essentially what the writer desires, however reasonably what he believes the Vikings will do on draft weekend.
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A Full Seven-Round Prediction for Minnesota’s Draft Moves
The Vikings have 9 picks this go-round.
Mississippi State vast receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. (3) is introduced down by Toledo safeties Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (7) and Maxen Hook (25) throughout second-quarter motion, Sep. 14, 2024, at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi. The play showcased Toledo’s bodily secondary as a number of defenders converged to restrict yards after the catch. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-Imagn Images.
**TRADE**
Vikings Get:
thirtieth Overall Pick
2026 Third-Rounder (Pick No. 215)
2027 Third-Rounder
— for —
Dolphins Get:
18th Overall Pick (Kenyon Sadiq, TE)
Round 1 (Pick 30)
Emmanuel McNeill-Warren (S) | Oregon
It actually doesn’t matter for the draft’s sake if Harrison Smith returns or retires — the Vikings want a younger security as their succession plan. After doing enterprise with Miami above, the Dolphins fill their super TE1 want with Sadiq, whereas Minnesota rolls with McNeill-Warren because the Smith alternative.
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Round 2 (Pick 49)
Jadarian Price (RB) | Notre Dame
Lord, oh Lord, do the Vikings must put their foot down and draft a rookie working again. The final elite one was named Dalvin Cook, and he joined the membership 9 years in the past.
Price profiles someplace between Tony Pollard and Javonte Williams as a professional comp. That will work for the 2026-2029 Vikings.
Round 3 (Pick 74) — from MIA
Sam Hecht (C) | Kansas State
A sneaky roster want proper now for Minnesota? Center. Unless the crew loves and trusts Blake Brandel or Michael Jurgens, it wants a middle to interchange Ryan Kelly, who retired final week. Hecht has the juice to be a Day One starter, and out of doors of signing a free agent like Ethan Pocic or Lloyd Cushenberry III, that’s what the Vikings want.
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Round 3 (Pick 82)
Davison Igbinosun (CB) | Ohio State
Igbinosun is a “Brian Flores cornerback.” Our Janik Eckardt noted on his talent set this month, “Davison Igbinosun is a long, physical cornerback whose size, press ability, and competitive mindset translate well to boundary coverage roles. While his Combine testing reflects solid rather than elite athleticism, his experience against Power Five competition and reliable coverage traits give him early-round draft value.”
“In press-oriented systems, he projects as an early contributor with starter upside as technique refinement continues. Igbinosun projects as a Day 2 selection, most commonly in the Round 2–3 range. His size, physicality, and experience against top competition make him a strong fit for defenses that prioritize press-man concepts and boundary physicality.”
Minnesota might put his physicality to make use of sooner reasonably than later.
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“Early in his NFL career, he profiles as a rotational outside corner and special teams contributor, with the potential to develop into a dependable starter in schemes that emphasize leverage discipline and physical coverage at the line of scrimmage,” Eckardt concluded.
Round 3 (Pick 97)
Bryce Lance (WR) | North Dakota State
Lance is a local Minnesotan — Marshall — who banked 2,157 receiving yards and 25 paydirts within the final two campaigns at NDSU. Meanwhile, with Jalen Nailor departed for the Las Vegas Raiders, Minnesota has simply Tai Felton and Myles Price as rosterable commodities on the present depth chart.
Kevin O’Connell can put Lance’s 6’3″ body to work instantly.
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Round 5 (Pick 161)
Reggie Virgil (WR) | Texas Tech
Texas Tech vast receiver Reggie Virgil (1) carries the ball whereas being pursued by BYU security Tanner Wall (28) throughout first-half motion, Dec. 6, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The play highlighted Virgil’s open-field means as BYU’s protection closed in throughout a high-tempo contest. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images.
Why not two wideouts? Back-to-back even.
Felton barely performed on offense in 2025, and a few known as that choose a dumb one within the first place. Price, the kick and punt returner, additionally doesn’t play a lot on offense. Lance and Virgil would add the WR depth wanted after Nailor vamoosed.
Round 6 (Pick 196)
Nick Barrett (DT) | South Carolina
Barrett is named a run-stuffing defensive sort out. The Vikings stated goodbye to Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave originally of free company. Like Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins final yr, Barrett is late-round DT depth.
Round 7 (Pick 234)
Quintayvious Hutchins (OLB) | Boston College
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Bo Richter is the Vikings’ OLB4 after Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Dallas Turner. Hutchins is thought for a mixture of smoothness and a nasty streak, an ironic and improbable combo.
Round 7 (Pick 240)
Nolan Rucci (OT) | Penn State
Penn State offensive lineman Nolan Rucci (72) traces up in opposition to the Boise State Broncos throughout Fiesta Bowl motion, Dec. 31, 2024, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The lineman anchored the entrance as Penn State labored to regulate the road of scrimmage in a postseason matchup. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
Christian Darrisaw’s ACL restoration has bent weirdly, and Brian O’Neill will flip 31 round Week 2. Next to Walter Rouse, Rucci is the brand new insurance coverage.
Round 7 (Pick 244)
Brett Thorson (P) | Georgia
Thorson is the highest rookie punting prospect in 2026, and after the Johnny Hekker signing this week, why not Thorson for a “may the best man win” competitors later this summer season in Eagan?