All Things 2026 Vikings Mock Draft Thread

[Breakin' The Plane]

The Kevi

but the again, the crowd booed when Mike Tice came out after the Kevin Williams pick, and he's saying, "calm down, everyone calm down!"

I am baffled by the risk they are taking after drafting not much for years.

In 2003 I think the crowd was double pissed. Most people hadn't thought they'd end up with Kevin Williams, but the frustration was really magnified when two teams jumped in front of them when they didn't get the pick in in time.

 

[howeda7]

From one of the articles in The Athletic today, regarding his potential -

Future Hall of Fame defensive tackle Chris Jones is a frequent comparison for Banks because of his exceptional size (Jones is also 6-6), eye-popping arm length (Banks has 35-inch arms) and lateral quickness. Two years ago, one AFC scout began his scouting report on Banks like this: “Pro Bowl-level talent. Super gifted. Very athletic. Interior pass rusher. He can run. He can bend. He has instincts. He uses his hands.”

Even if we get lucky on his health, it's still a very questionable pick at 18. They could have traded back quite a ways and still gotten him.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

Even if we get lucky on his health, it's still a very questionable pick at 18.

I don’t disagree

I was simply sharing what a scout had reported as his potential

Not everything in life is about winning the argument. As I lumber towards my sixth decade in October, I realize that most often it is not the case.

They could have traded back quite a ways and still gotten him.

 

[Spaulding!No!]

Here comes the paid nfl writer screed. First up, Alec Lewis with the headline many teams wanted Banks in the first round. More voices from fewer sources equals straight trash.

 

[Slim Tubby]

Here comes the paid nfl writer screed. First up, Alec Lewis with the headline many teams wanted Banks in the first round. More voices from fewer sources equals straight trash.

* Four (4) injuries to the same foot
* Three (3) separate fractures
* Two (2) different surgeries
* Last fracture was "no contact" during drills
* Poor tackler and run stopper in college

I'm sure other teams were all lining up to take this prospect in the 1st Round and give him the fully guaranteed four (4) year contract that comes with it.

We apparently are mysteriously drawn to Florida Gator DT's with significant injury concerns. I'll gladly eat crow if he pans out but this was a horrific pick any way you slice it.

 

[GophersInIowa]

I think the fans reaction would be different if the Vikings had a good recent history with the draft. This may end up being a great pick, but I would have preferred a safer pick.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

I think the fans reaction would be different if the Vikings had a good recent history with the draft. This may end up being a great pick, but I would have preferred a safer pick.

Especially because they took JJM over Mix because they thought he had a higher potential.

Despite the fact he didn’t bolster much collegiate football compared to the other first round QBs in the draft IIRC and his build was a red flag - too slender and not a lot of power in his trunk a- he finished the year at Michigan playing at 200.

Their brain trust thinks they’re smarter than everyone else.

 

[Wally]

* Four (4) injuries to the same foot
* Three (3) separate fractures
* Two (2) different surgeries
* Last fracture was "no contact" during drills
* Poor tackler and run stopper in college

I'm sure other teams were all lining up to take this prospect in the 1st Round and give him the fully guaranteed four (4) year contract that comes with it.

We apparently are mysteriously drawn to Florida Gator DT's with significant injury concerns. I'll gladly eat crow if he pans out but this was a horrific pick any way you slice it.

They definitely rolled the dice.

Foot problems on a very large human could be problematic....

 

[Unregistered User]

nm

 

[TruthSeeker]

Good pick. They need a younger LB.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

Heres a blurb on him from
AThe Athletic which was highlighting possible fits for Day 2 -

Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati​

Golday makes sense if the Vikings are looking for a potential successor to Blake Cashman. He is an exceptional athlete, capable of hitting both sidelines with an eye-popping, 6-foot-5 frame. His tape has holes, especially in coverage. But he can line up on the edge and is smart enough to absorb Minnesota’s complex defensive system.

 

[howeda7]

A huge lemon. Maybe they will get Big Citrus later...

Boom. Big Citrus is in the fold...

 

[GophersInIowa]

I wonder if they were able to keep Flores by saying they’d let him run the draft.

 

[coolhandgopher]

 

[howeda7]

I wonder if they were able to keep Flores by saying they’d let him run the draft.

Maybe he locked KOC in the Greg Harbaugh closet at Winter Park.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

Here’s Seifert’s take on our new additions thus far -

Round 2, No. 51 overall: Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati​

My take: The Vikings entered this draft having used only one top-100 pick to select a defensive player during the three years that Brian Flores has been the defensive coordinator. In this draft, they have doubled that total with their first two picks. Golday is a big (6-foot-5) off-ball linebacker who earlier in his career was an edge rusher. Flores loves versatility, but it will be interesting to see if he tries to use Golday as an all-around player or if he tries to focus him on the edge following the trade of Jonathan Greenard to the Eagles. Ideally, Golday could provide both services to maximize his time on the field. At the moment, the Vikings have two off-ball linebackers signed to multi-year contracts in Eric Wilsonand Blake Cashman.

Key stat: The Vikings allowed 124.1 rushing yards per game last season, up from an average of 96.1 yards per game in Flores' first two seasons with the team. That was in part because opponents used big personnel packages to outmuscle the Vikings' relatively small defensive alignments. Golday's size, combined with that of first-round pick Banks (6-foot-6 and 327 pounds) in Round 1 is a clear step toward addressing some of the size inequities that impacted the run defense in 2025.

---

Round 3, No. 82 overall: Domonique Orange, NT, Ohio State​

My take: For the second consecutive year, the Vikings have made it a mission to rebuild the interior of their defensive line. In 2025, it was via free agency. In 2026, they're doing it through the draft via two of their first three selections (Banks, Orange). Orange, nicknamed the "Big Citrus," is a classic 322-pound run-stopping nose tackle. That means the Vikings have already added nearly 660 pounds of interior defenders in the first two days of the draft, as Banks is 330 pounds. The most interesting part of this surge on defensive tackles is that it's one of the few positions where the Vikings already had promising young players, from Jalen Redmond to Levi Drake Rodriguez to Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins. The more, the merrier, apparently.

Key stat: Orange lined up at nose tackle on 74% of his snaps in college, per ESPN Research. That's the fourth most in FBS since the start of the 2022 season. In four seasons, he had one career sack. Those numbers tell you one thing: The Vikings drafted Orange to be a run stopper.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

Like the safety from Miami. As he’s a playmaker.

Depth piece and maybe O’Neil’s future replacement at OT.

Seems like a good day to me

 

[GopherWeatherGuy]

Every pick has been a reach so far except for the NW Tackle who will be a backup.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

Seifert’s comments on our new tackle and safety -

Round 3, No. 97: Caleb Tiernan, OT, Northwestern​

My take: The Vikings have been quite focused on big dudes in this draft, now adding their third player of 320-plus pounds with Tiernan coming in at nearly 6-8 and 323 pounds. He played right tackle and left tackle in college, but it's not out of the question that the Vikings will give him a look at guard. The Vikings' top backup at tackle is likely to be veteran Ryan Van Demark, a free agent acquisition who himself stands 6-7. But it never hurts to have more big guys.

Key stat: Tiernan made significant improvement over the course of his career. According to ESPN Research, he allowed 24 pressures and 31 blown blocks during the 2023 season. He allowed fewer of both over the next two seasons combined: 20 pressures and 29 blown blocks.

---

Round 3, No. 98: Jakobe Thomas, S, Miami​

My take: The mock draft world correctly identified that the Vikings have a need at safety. Rather than take one in the first round, however, the Vikings waited for their final pick of Day 2. Thomas' versatility was most interesting to the Vikings. He had five interceptions and allowed only one touchdown in coverage last season at Miami, where he spent one season after beginning college at Middle Tennessee State and then moving to Tennessee. He also had 10 quarterback pressures.


Will he start as a rookie?: It's not completely out of the question, depending on whether veteran Harrison Smith returns for another season or retires. O'Connell referred to Thomas as "a great fit as a safety in our defense" and said the team loves his "football IQ," adding: "He's a very, very highly intelligent player." Those are the types of traits that can get a player on the field sooner rather than later.

What's next: Brzezinski and O'Connell said they didn't intend to go so heavy defensively on Days 1 and 2, instead describing their approach as being disciplined to their board, as offensive players they liked were selected in the picks ahead of them. Regardless, the Vikings still have some of their key needs to fill, from center to depth at receiver and running back, with their four remaining picks.

 

[GopherWeatherGuy]

Seifert’s comments on our new tackle and safety -

Round 3, No. 97: Caleb Tiernan, OT, Northwestern​

My take: The Vikings have been quite focused on big dudes in this draft, now adding their third player of 320-plus pounds with Tiernan coming in at nearly 6-8 and 323 pounds. He played right tackle and left tackle in college, but it's not out of the question that the Vikings will give him a look at guard. The Vikings' top backup at tackle is likely to be veteran Ryan Van Demark, a free agent acquisition who himself stands 6-7. But it never hurts to have more big guys.

Key stat: Tiernan made significant improvement over the course of his career. According to ESPN Research, he allowed 24 pressures and 31 blown blocks during the 2023 season. He allowed fewer of both over the next two seasons combined: 20 pressures and 29 blown blocks.

---

Round 3, No. 98: Jakobe Thomas, S, Miami​

My take: The mock draft world correctly identified that the Vikings have a need at safety. Rather than take one in the first round, however, the Vikings waited for their final pick of Day 2. Thomas' versatility was most interesting to the Vikings. He had five interceptions and allowed only one touchdown in coverage last season at Miami, where he spent one season after beginning college at Middle Tennessee State and then moving to Tennessee. He also had 10 quarterback pressures.


Will he start as a rookie?: It's not completely out of the question, depending on whether veteran Harrison Smith returns for another season or retires. O'Connell referred to Thomas as "a great fit as a safety in our defense" and said the team loves his "football IQ," adding: "He's a very, very highly intelligent player." Those are the types of traits that can get a player on the field sooner rather than later.

What's next: Brzezinski and O'Connell said they didn't intend to go so heavy defensively on Days 1 and 2, instead describing their approach as being disciplined to their board, as offensive players they liked were selected in the picks ahead of them. Regardless, the Vikings still have some of their key needs to fill, from center to depth at receiver and running back, with their four remaining picks.

Totally makes sense with so many successful 6'-8" guards all over the NFL

 

[upnorthkid]

Totally makes sense with so many successful 6'-8" guards all over the NFL

Would work really well with Murray back there lol

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

Totally makes sense with so many successful 6'-8" guards all over the NFL

They said he may move, didn’t say the would and that’s a reporter, not the coaches. Do You Understand English??????

You must be great during a Tornado Warning or an emergency like a Fire, the way you flip out here at every little thing.

I have found a clip of your steadfastness in action-

Seinfeld- George-FIRE! #shorts #seinfeld #georgecostanza

George shouts fire at a crowded birthday party, and naturally pushes the clown, the elderly woman in the walker, and the helpless children out of his way.

youtube.com

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

Big Citrus on the call -

"Big Citrus, What's Up?" âï¸ | NFL Draft Room Call

Go inside the Minnesota Vikings draft room as Head Coach Kevin OâConnell made the call to Iowa State defensive lineman Domonique Orange to inform him he was ...

youtube.com

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

And Golday

The Moment The Vikings Drafted LB Jake Golday âï¸

Go inside the Minnesota Vikings draft room as Executive Vice President - Football Operations and Head Coach Kevin OâConnell make the call to Cincinnati lineb...

youtube.com

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

Some highlights

Newest Viking Jake Golday's College Highlights ðª

Watch Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jake Golday's college highlights from University of Cincinnati. He was selected 51st overall in the Second Round of the 20...

youtube.com

Caleb Banks College Highlights ð

Watch Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Caleb Banks college highlights from University of Florida. He was selected 18th overall in the First Round of the 2...

youtube.com

 

[GopherWeatherGuy]

They said he may move, didn’t say the would and that’s a reporter, not the coaches. Do You Understand English??????

You must be great during a Tornado Warning or an emergency like a Fire, the way you flip out here at every little thing.

I have found a clip of your steadfastness in action-

Seinfeld- George-FIRE! #shorts #seinfeld #georgecostanza

George shouts fire at a crowded birthday party, and naturally pushes the clown, the elderly woman in the walker, and the helpless children out of his way.

youtube.com

If they don't move him, then they spent a 3rd round pick on a backup.

The Vikings 'had to trade Greenard' for salary cap purposes and I'm supposed to believe 2 3rd rounders is good value for him. This is also allegedly to be able to extend someone like Brian O'Neill. But then they spend a 3rd rounder on his backup. Yeah totally makes sense...

This is a franchise with zero direction right now.

 

[Slim Tubby]

My assessment thus far on the Vikings draft:

 

[upnorthkid]

Bredeson (the blocking back from Michigan) should fill the cj ham role I suppose

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

If they don't move him, then they spent a 3rd round pick on a backup.

Both tackles missed multiple games due to injuries last season and O’Neil is turning 30 - even if he’s extended it won’t be forever

The Vikings 'had to trade Greenard' for salary cap purposes and I'm supposed to believe 2 3rd rounders is good value for him.

If you actually read the article I shared or did some of your own research, it addresses the trade value specifically.

Thsts what the market would pay and that’s what people who eat at the grown up table understand.

This is also allegedly to be able to extend someone like Brian O'Neill.

He is one of several; Addison also and if Murray plays at a high level they need money for him as well.

But then they spend a 3rd rounder on his backup. Yeah totally makes sense...

He can play either tackle position, as he did in college, and this was addressed in the Seifert analysis you quoted before

This is a franchise with zero direction right now.

Then don’t watch - no one on here likely cares if you do or not. It’s a choice, just like do I wanna be happy or not today?

I’m not going to waste any more of my day with the board’s . Back to ignoring you.

Tootles

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

Pre draft analysis on our latest two picks, so they can be excoriated before ever taking a snap by the middle aged mavens on GH

Pre-Draft Analysis​

Bredeson was used as an H-back tight end at Michigan, but his lack of length should lead to him being a fullback in the NFL. He is a natural lead blocker, doing a good job of cleaning up running lanes. Once latched on to defenders, Bredeson does a good job sustaining blocks. He plays with energy and a motor to finish his blocks. Bredeson was not primarily used as a receiver (12 career receptions), but he showed good ball skills in that limited action. -- Scouts Inc.

Pre-Draft Analysis​

Demmings tested well at the combine, posting a 4.41-second 40-yard dash, 42-inch vertical jump and 11-foot broad jump. He is not afraid to be physical at the line of scrimmage, while he displays smooth feet and fluid hips to flip and run. When playing off coverage, he can run into problems if he takes extra gather steps before driving out on his breaks. However, he is strong at the peak contesting catches. Demmings did not play a major role in run support in college and will have to make a big jump in level of competition. But he possesses redeemable athletic traits to help him make that transition. -- Scouts Inc.