That’s a wrap on the 2026 NFL Draft, and listed below are the latest members of the Minnesota Vikings:
1(18): Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
2 (51): Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
3 (82): Domonique Orange, DT, Iowa State
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3 (97): Caleb Tiernan, OT, Northwestern
3 (98): Jakobe Thomas, S, Miami
5 (159): Max Bredeson, FB, Michigan
5 (163): Charles Demmings, CB, SFA
6 (198): Demond Claiborne, RB, Wake Forest
7 (235): Gavin Gerhardt, C, Cincinnati
The Vikings entered draft weekend with 4 picks in the Top 100. They ended up with 5, and given the way it all unfolded, the positional priorities of these picks made sense at a 30,000-foot degree.
Here are my fundamental takeaways. The consequence? Mixed feelings. Feel free to pull me in the feedback.
NO RISK, NO REWARD AT #18 (THERE IS DEFINITELY RISK)
In my earlier article, I advocated for Rob Brzezinski going defensive position at #18. I didn’t embody Caleb Banks amongst these choices. Even although I typically have hassle remembering what I had for dinner the earlier evening, I *suppose* I noticed Banks mocked a couple of occasions in the first spherical. However, it was not the consensus view.
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It was additionally not for lack of expertise.
Banks is an absolute freak of an athlete, and it’s not hyperbole to say the upside is off-the-charts. We’re speaking about Chris Jones right here.
Banks’ 9.83 RAS, out of a potential 10.00, ranked thirty ninth out of 2279 defensive tackles from 1987 to 2026. Math was by no means my factor, however I consider that’s the high 1.7% since…1987. Be proper again. I’m going to placed on Appetite for Destruction and see if I can discover my previous Predator VHS in the basement.
Now, the doomerism. Repeated accidents to the similar foot scare me—lots. I can’t consider a worse factor for a 6’6’’, 327-pound inside lineman. I’m certain the Vikings did all the requisite due diligence, together with second, third, and twenty-fifth opinions from varied medical professionals on the restoration and subsequent timeline. On the floor, every thing appears to be like good, and a 100% full-go for coaching camp is the expectation. But medical doctors are usually not psychics, both. They can inform you an harm is totally healed and provide some perception into future threat, however the latter is fraught with appreciable uncertainty.
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In the finish, you need to cross your fingers and belief the course of. As quickly as the Vikings have been on the clock, I seen Brzezinski rush that card as much as the podium quicker than Rick Spielman used to say, “I’ll need a 7th,” each time a fellow GM referred to as him up – whether or not it was really to debate a commerce or not.
Banks was clearly a precedence. Whether that meant he was the finest participant accessible general, the finest at the most pressing-need place, or each, we are going to by no means really know. What’s mentioned at pressers afterward can typically be molded to mirror the actuality of the draft board, however by all accounts and rumors, Banks gave the impression to be foremost on the Vikings’ radar. Every different DT was proper there, together with the most mocked participant for the Vikings at #18, Oregon security Dillon Thieneman.
If every thing goes as deliberate, Banks is a starter in Week 1 and turns into the finest Vikings’ first-round decide on protection since a minimum of Harrison Smith 14 years in the past. However, issues going as deliberate isn’t precisely the Vikings’ modus operandi.
File it below “cautiously optimistic” for me.
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I DON’T UNDERSTAND THE JONATHAN GREENARD TRADE
File this below “The Packers.” I hate it. Worse, I don’t perceive it. I’ve regularly mentioned my fondness for Jonathan Greenard and my view of his potential to be traded. Here’s a recap:
To quote Hall & Oates: “I can’t go for that, no (No). No can do.” I need nothing to do with this. You can by no means have sufficient go rushers; Dallas Turner is on his rookie deal, and Andrew Van Ginkel has battled pesky neck points. I’m an enormous fan of Greenard. He at all times appears to be round the ball service and inflicting havoc on each play. His playmaking skill jumps off the display screen. The lack of sacks (3.0) throughout an injury-shortened season was an anomaly. Even with the accidents, his stress charge of 13.5% ranked seventh in the NFL. He’s 28 and positively in his prime. If somebody makes an unimaginable provide, together with a first-round decide, I get it. Maxx Crosby simply bought two first-rounders from the Baltimore Ravens. The numbers would assist it, even after a troublesome yr in 2025. Since 2023, Greenard has 4.5 fewer sacks (32 vs. 27.5) and 15 fewer QB hits in two fewer begins than Crosby. And I noticed this:
Well, Greenard is now with the Philadelphia Eagles, and the unimaginable provide by no means arrived. Two third-round picks, one on this draft (#98 general, Jakobe Thomas, S, Miami) and one in 2027. I waited 24 hours to digest this, hoping my speedy, visceral dislike would subside, however it didn’t. Not to get a minimum of a second-rounder for somebody of Greenard’s expertise? It’s a head-scratcher, particularly for a workforce that, for all intents and functions, is in playoff success or bust mode for 2026. The Eagles appear to know what they’ve simply obtained, as a direct four-year, $100 million provide (with $50 million assured) greeted Greenard as he bought off the airplane.
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The transfer saves the Vikings a tad over $12 million towards this yr’s cap. We’ll see what that would imply, however that’s a subject for one more article. I at all times really feel that the place there’s a will, there’s a manner in these conditions. We went by way of one thing related with Danielle Hunter a couple of years again and managed to determine it out.
Dallas Turner now strikes into a transparent beginning function. His growth final season was spectacular, and, in fact, Brian Flores is his defensive coordinator. Even so, a publish from ESPN’s Bill Barnwell in early March nonetheless lingers in the again of my thoughts:
Know the Vikings are in a tough cap bind, and he’s nonetheless younger, however undecided Dallas Turner is as able to step in for Jonathan Greenard as his sack complete would possibly recommend.
Turner had eight sacks final yr, however that included 2.5 protection sacks, 2.5 unblocked sacks, and a sack the place the sort out was late off the ball.
Greenard had an 8.4 p.c fast stress charge, which was fourth-best amongst edges with 200 go rushes or extra. Turner was at 4.0 p.c, which was thirty eighth.
Hopefully, such considerations are exaggerated, and Turner can flip in a season corresponding to what a wholesome Greenard would have delivered, however that’s actually not assured. There is little doubt he has the potential.
Given that the commerce was occurring, the alternative of the spectacular and extremely versatile Cincinnati linebacker Jake Golday made a ton of sense in the second spherical (#51 general). His hybrid ability set is custom-made for a Flores protection. I’d think about he’ll initially be the backup to Andrew Van Ginkel, get some spot snaps right here and there, and be a direct contributor on particular groups. This will give him time to develop and enhance his protection, with the alternative to turn into a long-term alternative for Blake Cashman or Eric Wilson.
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And the pattern is certainly our buddy right here:
The level stays, nonetheless: Trading Greenard appears to make little sense to me given the compensation and expectations for the upcoming season. I hope I’m improper. Goodness is aware of there may be precedent.
BRIAN FLORES: MORE THAN A DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR
With the GM state of affairs in flux and Mike Pettine retired, I’m not breaking any information after I say that Brian Flores appears to have stuffed a substantial portion of the organizational energy vacuum. Given his historical past in the scouting division in New England and the indisputable fact that the high three picks (and 5 of the first seven) have been on the defensive facet of the ball, it’s clear that Flores was deeply concerned in the planning and execution of this draft.
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In addition to Caleb Banks and Jake Golday, the Vikings drafted Vince Wilfork… I imply, Iowa State’s Domonique Orange at #82 general to fill the function Wilfork performed so effectively for the Patriots throughout their heyday. Expect “Big Citrus” to be a two-down mainstay for years to return.
The Vikings’ closing Top 100 decide (#98) was Miami security Jakobe Thomas. With the vibes trending towards Harrison Smith operating it again, he could also be primarily a depth piece at first, however the path to the beginning function in the post-Smith period is evident. Like Golday, Thomas is extremely athletic and schematically versatile. With most likely a yr to additional develop, he ought to have the ability to seamlessly match into the hybrid function Smith has made a Hall of Fame profession out of – at the line (blitz/run assist), in the slot, or masking the deep a part of the subject.
Given that he performed in the FCS for Stephen F. Austin, cornerback Charles Demmings was a little bit of a shock decide at #163 in the fifth spherical. But simply the pre-draft scouting report, he additionally looks like a participant with a ability set that might be a perfect match for the Flores scheme. It shall be attention-grabbing to see how he does throughout OTAs and coaching camp. Some fast (albeit preliminary) digging into the numbers suggests there have been someplace between 10 and 15 cornerbacks from FCS colleges on NFL rosters or apply quads at varied factors throughout the 2025 season. Hopefully, Demmings can be part of them.
THERE WERE OFFENSIVE SELECTIONS, TOO
Oh, yeah, there have been some picks on the offensive facet of the ball. Caleb Tiernan, an offensive sort out from Northwestern, was taken instantly forward of Jakobe Thomas in the third spherical (#97 general). From what I’ve learn, he could also be higher suited to guard in the NFL, which may imply a direct backup function behind Donovan Jackson or Will Fries.
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The similar goes for middle Gavin Gerhardt of Cincinnati, taken in the seventh (#235 general). Blake Brandel performed effectively at middle final yr and seems to be the favourite to maintain the job heading into the summer time. Gerhardt now joins Michael Jurgens in the backup competitors.
Fullback Max Bredeson from Michigan (fifth-round, #159) has the unenviable activity of changing an absolute Vikings legend in C.J. Ham – certainly one of my favourite Vikings gamers over the previous 25 years. This decide was most likely the most stunning position-wise, because it was unclear whether or not KOC would stay certainly one of the few groups that use a fullback after Ham’s retirement. But, as the DN’s personal Christopher Gates famous proper after the decide, Bredeson might be used extra in a hybrid H-back function. We shall see.
Given Aaron Jones’ age, Jordan Mason getting into a contract yr, and Ty Chandler’s departure in free company, the long-term operating again state of affairs is sort of unsure. Enter Wake Forest’s Demond Claiborne in the sixth spherical (#198 general). He’s a fast however undersized again with the potential to develop right into a starter. It was positively a place of want heading into 2027.
With the potential exception of Max Bredeson (attributable to his place), it doesn’t seem that any of the gamers taken on the offensive facet of the ball shall be main non-special-teams contributors in 2026 (barring accidents). Immediate depth and long-term potential are the priorities right here. But that doesn’t precisely match the desperation of the second come September.
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MIXED EMOTIONS AT THIS POINT
You’re not the just one
With combined feelings
You’re not the solely ship
Adrift on this ocean
-The Rolling Stones
Drafting Mick Jagger and Keith Richards couldn’t have evoked as many combined feelings as I’ve proper now whereas scripting this. Brzezinski and firm prioritized each athleticism and schematic versatility going into the draft.
There have been dangers taken, and Brzezinski felt like a man who knew he was enjoying with home cash. He was going to do his factor and let the chips fall the place they might—the Sinatra Strategy. As famous, Flores clearly appears to have had his ear, given his scouting historical past. But at the finish of the day, Brzezinski needed to steadiness all of it and assess the board earlier than every choice, making the closing name.
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This feeling appears to be shared by the nationwide media speaking heads, as the ubiquitous post-draft “grades” have been throughout the rattling place. From what I’ve seen, single-pick grades ranged from an “A” to an “F”. Most closing general assessments have been in the “B+” to C-” vary, with a “D” sprinkled in right here and there. This underscores how the Vikings typically swam towards the tide of consensus and expectation all through the course of.
Given the Jonathan Greenard commerce, the unknowns surrounding Dallas Turner’s expanded function, the vital query mark about Caleb Banks’ well being and long-term availability, the pending Harrison Smith resolution, and uncertainty round the WR3 place, amongst others, you’d be hard-pressed to say the Vikings are a greater workforce than they have been final week. If the season began tomorrow? Absolutely not.
The excellent news? The season doesn’t begin tomorrow. Dallas Turner may turn into a constant double-digit sack machine. Banks might be high-quality for the remainder of the offseason, thrive in coaching camp and the preseason, and dominate all the option to 2026 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. Harrison Smith may run it again for another nice season. Tai Felton may step as much as turn into an excellent WR3. All of these issues may occur!
But you solely know what you realize. And proper now, we all know none of it. What I do know is that I’m a fan of the Minnesota Vikings, and issues hardly ever go as deliberate for us. Some success seems. Hope rises. Heartbreak follows. Rinse. Repeat. The historical past is the historical past.
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You can’t at all times get what you need, all proper. Ask a Vikings fan. But after decade after decade of developing quick, I rattling effectively know what we’d like: a Lombardi Trophy.
Maybe it is going to all work out, and that is the yr. We need to get some satisfaction someday, proper? Either manner, we’ve all been there earlier than. My 19th nervous breakdown doesn’t even date to this century.
Okay, I’m executed right here.
How does everybody else really feel?