All Things 2026 Vikings Mock Draft Thread

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Slim Tubby

Slim Tubby

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My first of many terrible predictions in this thread based on guys I hope we target:

(Using Tankathon Player Rankings)

18. DL Peter Woods (Clemson)
49. CB DeAngelo Ponds (Indiana)
82. WR Elijah Surratt (Indiana)
97. S Kamari Ramsey (USC)
 

Slim Tubby said:
My first of many terrible predictions in this thread based on guys I hope we target:

(Using Tankathon Player Rankings)

18. DL Peter Woods (Clemson)
49. CB DeAngelo Ponds (Indiana)
82. WR Elijah Surratt (Indiana)
97. S Kamari Ramsey (USC)
Click to expand...
No center mythical?
 


Slim Tubby said:
Fairly weak draft for C/G early on but I did skip over a few very good OT prospects.
Click to expand...
Okay.

FWIW The Athletic had us selecting him
In the third round -

Round 3, No. 82: Sam Hecht, C, Kansas State​

Center remains one of the Vikings’ most important needs.

Why did the team not add a veteran option in free agency after Ryan Kelly retired? Because the team brass didn’t view the free-agent crop as leaps and bounds better (and worth millions more) than a depth player like Blake Brandel.

Still, the team has studied the draftable center prospects. Hecht might have the highest floor. He dominated at the Senior Bowl. He is a fluid mover and wins with technique in pass protection.

Is he a future star? That’s probably lofty for the 22-year-old, but he’s sturdier than former Minnesota center Garrett Bradbury, and he would round out an offensive line that must improve for the offense to progress in 2026.
 

Gopher_In_NYC said:
Okay.

FWIW The Athletic had us selecting him
In the third round -

Round 3, No. 82: Sam Hecht, C, Kansas State​

Center remains one of the Vikings’ most important needs.

Why did the team not add a veteran option in free agency after Ryan Kelly retired? Because the team brass didn’t view the free-agent crop as leaps and bounds better (and worth millions more) than a depth player like Blake Brandel.

Still, the team has studied the draftable center prospects. Hecht might have the highest floor. He dominated at the Senior Bowl. He is a fluid mover and wins with technique in pass protection.

Is he a future star? That’s probably lofty for the 22-year-old, but he’s sturdier than former Minnesota center Garrett Bradbury, and he would round out an offensive line that must improve for the offense to progress in 2026.
Click to expand...
This would be the way to go IMO. I think they can get away with Brandel if someone like Hecht isn’t immediately ready.
 


Slim Tubby said:
My first of many terrible predictions in this thread based on guys I hope we target:

(Using Tankathon Player Rankings)

18. DL Peter Woods (Clemson)
49. CB DeAngelo Ponds (Indiana)
82. WR Elijah Surratt (Indiana)
97. S Kamari Ramsey (USC)
Click to expand...

I'm on the Peter Woods train, or something similar. One of the hardest spots to draft and have a real difference maker. If the #1 or #2 DT on their board is there at #18 I would love if they went that route
 

All Offense:

18. OT Kadyn Proctor
49. OC Connor Lew
82. RB Jadarian Price
97. WR Elijah Sarratt

All Defense:

18. DT Peter Woods
49. CB DeAngelo Ponds
82. FS Jalon Kilgore
97. DE LT Overton
 


Gopher_In_NYC said:
@Slim Tubby

Impressive Tape

youtube.com

NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger breaking down Mike Washington’s film before April’s NFL Draft.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
youtube.com youtube.com
Click to expand...
Tankathon agrees with your assessment and has MWJ going to the Vikings at Pick #82. 🙂

www.tankathon.com

2027 NFL Mock Draft | Tankathon

2027 NFL Mock Draft with live-updating draft order after every game. Team needs are factored into the player selections.
www.tankathon.com www.tankathon.com
 





Slim Tubby said:
Jonah Coleman from Washington is another RB gaining steam after the Combine and apparently the Vikings like him a great deal as a possible late Day 2 pick.
Click to expand...
Size and speed please like Walker
 

Build your favorite draft for the Vikings based on players expected to be available at each pick slot:

#18 - CB Jermod McCoy, TE Kenyon Sadiq & DT Peter Woods

#49 - RB Jadarian Price, CB DeAngelo Ponds & OC Connor Lew

#82 - WR Elijah Surratt, OT Gennings Dunker & OC Sam Hecht

#97 - WR Deion Burks, RB Jonah Williams & CB Tacario Davis

18. Kenyon Sadiq (too good to pass up)
49. Jadarian Price
82. Sam Hecht
97. Tacario Davis
 



Slim Tubby said:
Build your favorite draft for the Vikings based on players expected to be available at each pick slot:

#18 - CB Jermod McCoy, TE Kenyon Sadiq & DT Peter Woods

#49 - RB Jadarian Price, CB DeAngelo Ponds & OC Connor Lew

#82 - WR Elijah Surratt, OT Gennings Dunker & OC Sam Hecht

#97 - WR Deion Burks, RB Jonah Williams & CB Tacario Davis

18. Kenyon Sadiq (too good to pass up)
49. Jadarian Price
82. Sam Hecht
Click to expand...
Three O picks🤦‍♂️

B Flo gonna messs u up😎
Slim Tubby said:
97. Tacario Davis
Click to expand...
 

Nick Baumgardber’s latest effort at The Athletic-

18. Minnesota Vikings: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon​

A complete athlete with a nose for the ball and enough versatility to play either safety spot (and a bit in the slot), Thieneman feels like almost too good a fit for the Vikings for it to come true. He’s exactly what they’re looking for.
 

Gopher_In_NYC said:
Three O picks🤦‍♂️

B Flo gonna messs u up😎
Click to expand...
I know we have defensive holes to fill but I'm far more enamored with the offensive guys in this particular Draft. Like others here, I'm also open to solidifying our C position with Lew or Hecht and somebody is getting a steal later in the 1st Round with OT Kadyn Proctor.

McCoy would've been a Top 5 pick this year if he didn't suffer that devastating injury last Fall. Woods kind of bombed at the Combine and is dropping. I really like Ponds but I'm convinced Jadarian Price is going to be a top back in the NFL after playing second fiddle at Notre Dame.

I'll be wrong about all of this but that's why they pay me the little bucks.
 

Gopher_In_NYC said:
Nick Baumgardber’s latest effort at The Athletic-

18. Minnesota Vikings: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon​

A complete athlete with a nose for the ball and enough versatility to play either safety spot (and a bit in the slot), Thieneman feels like almost too good a fit for the Vikings for it to come true. He’s exactly what they’re looking for.
Click to expand...
A month ago, Thieneman was being mocked in the late 2nd/early 3rd and now after the Combine, I've seen him going as early as #12 overall. He'd certainly be a good choice.
 

ESPN had this proposed trade between Vikes and KC

IMG_0306.png
 

And their rationale why it’s good for the Vikes

IMG_0307.png
 



Using the first round pick on a position that does not have an obvious need or outright hole is a waste.

Don't use it to take a TE when we have Hockenson.
 

Slim Tubby said:
MIN in: 2026 2nd Round Pick
LAR in: JJ McCarthy

I would do both in an instant.
Click to expand...

This is almost exactly what the Arizona Cardinals got for Josh Rosen (Rams pick is #61, Cards got #62 and they actually got an additional 5th rounder); and JJM has a winning record at 6-4 and has showed significantly more upside, along with being an INFINITELY better teammate and locker room guy (Rosen was not liked by the Cardinals players, or hardly anywhere else he has ended up). You'd be hard-pressed to find anyone that thinks of Rosen and JJM in the same breath, or the same zip code.

For a pick in the 30's of the 2026 draft? Maybe.

This would not only be bailing on JJM way too early, but it would be the very definition of selling LOW. Not a good trade for the Vikings. Like not in the slightest.
 
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GopherGrit said:
Using the first round pick on a position that does not have an obvious need or outright hole is a waste.

Don't use it to take a TE when we have Hockenson.
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Hock will be a free agent after this year, and was a shell of his former self in 2025. The rest of the TE's on roster are blocking guys.

If Kenyon Sadiq is there, I'm taking him.
 

Ogie Ogilthorpe said:
This is almost exactly what the Arizona Cardinals got for Josh Rosen (Rams pick is #61, Cards got #62 and they actually got an additional 5th rounder); and JJM has a winning record at 6-4 and has showed significantly more upside, along with being an INFINITELY better teammate and locker room guy (Rosen was not liked by the Cardinals players, or hardly anywhere else he has ended up). You'd be hard-pressed to find anyone that thinks of Rosen and JJM in the same breath, or the same zip code.

For a pick in the 30's of the 2026 draft? Maybe.

This would not only be bailing on JJM way too early, but it would be the very definition of selling LOW. Not a good trade for the Vikings. Like not in the slightest.
Click to expand...
It's easier to accept moving JJM if you believe Kyler will be our starting QB for the next 3-5 years like I do. This Draft is pretty deep through 80-90 players and we could potentially use the extra 2nd Round Pick with #18 to move up and grab a difference maker like Downs or Delane.

Other than that, I don't disagree with your take in the slightest. I'm stunned Rosen pulled that kind of trade value and it's still possible that JJM could develop into a decent QB...but I certainly wouldn't put money on it.
 

Slim Tubby said:
It's easier to accept moving JJM if you believe Kyler will be our starting QB for the next 3-5 years like I do. This Draft is pretty deep through 80-90 players and we could potentially use the extra 2nd Round Pick with #18 to move up and grab a difference maker like Downs or Delane.

Other than that, I don't disagree with your take in the slightest. I'm stunned Rosen pulled that kind of trade value and it's still possible that JJM could develop into a decent QB...but I certainly wouldn't put money on it.
Click to expand...

I don't disagree with the basic premise (although I disagree with moving on from JJM); it's just that the #61 pick is a non-starter. Massive gap from a pick around #36 or so and #61

The variance for how the Murray roll of the dice could turn out is Grand Canyon-esque. It could turn out to be absolutely incredible, and it could turn out to be absolutely nothing. It's fascinating really. The price tag is what makes it worthwhile. I don't know that I would have been happy paying even $10M for the gamble but the $1.3M is a great gamble.
 

Meatsauce called him Keyon. I am not 100 percent certain he really loves the nfl draft.
 

I still think it would be stupid to move on from JJM this quickly unless they get a really good offer but that isn't going to happen. He's still only 23 and has thrown less than 250 career passes.
 

GophersInIowa said:
I still think it would be stupid to move on from JJM this quickly unless they get a really good offer but that isn't going to happen. He's still only 23 and has thrown less than 250 career passes.
Click to expand...
Even so, if they can get a 2nd round pick they should take it. If he sits behind Kyler all year, they can't possibly pick-up his 5th year option and his trade value a year from now will be a 6th or 7th rounder.

If they can't get a least a 3rd round pick, then just keep him as the back-up for the next two years.
 

Ogie Ogilthorpe said:
This is almost exactly what the Arizona Cardinals got for Josh Rosen (Rams pick is #61, Cards got #62 and they actually got an additional 5th rounder); and JJM has a winning record at 6-4 and has showed significantly more upside, along with being an INFINITELY better teammate and locker room guy (Rosen was not liked by the Cardinals players, or hardly anywhere else he has ended up). You'd be hard-pressed to find anyone that thinks of Rosen and JJM in the same breath, or the same zip code.

For a pick in the 30's of the 2026 draft? Maybe.

This would not only be bailing on JJM way too early, but it would be the very definition of selling LOW. Not a good trade for the Vikings. Like not in the slightest.
Click to expand...
Sunk cost
 

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