At least one mock draft is published each month at VikingsTerritory as we march toward April. The NFL Draft is 9.5 weeks away, and the Minnesota Vikings are scheduled to pick 18th. They'll also do so without Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, who was fired on January 30th. Here's a look at Mock Draft 2.0, with two more to follow in March and April.
Baker's Mock Draft 2.0 updates Minnesota's Round 1–7 plan, prioritizing defensive help, trench power, and a developmental QB.
These mock drafts are always predictive — not just a wishlist of what the author would do.
Mock draft season is in full swing.
Clemson defensive lineman Peter Woods addresses reporters on Aug. 27, 2024, inside the Smart Family Media Center in Clemson, South Carolina, days before the Tigers opened their season against Georgia in Atlanta. Woods discussed preparation and expectations as Clemson geared up for the neutral-site showdown at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard / staff / USA TODAY NETWORK
Round 1 (Pick 18)
Peter Woods(Clemson, DT)
Woods may not slide this far, but if he does, the Vikings should end the early-round DT drought. They haven't picked one since Shariff Floyd in Round 1 or 2 — 12 years ago.
The Vikings will have Jalen Redmond and Jonathan Allen at DT in 2026 — maybe Javon Hargrave — so Woods would be all about the future. Woods is a powerful and explosive interior defensive lineman, owning tendencies like a brawler. Minnesota's defense proved in 2025 that it could cook with non-elite cornerbacks; it should sign a competent young CB3 in free agency like Cordale Flott , and select Woods from Clemson in Round 1.
Round 2 (Pick 49)
Keith Abney II(Arizona State, CB)
We will assume for this exercise that Minnesota still needs a corner, and with a 6'0″ 190-pound frame, plus 4.46 speed, Abney II makes sense in Round 2.
The Vikings have not successfully drafted a good cornerback in a decade; they're overdue. Abney II is a playmaker with great hands, fabulous footwork, and even better physicality.
Flroes's CB room would feature Byron Murphy Jr. , Isaiah Rogers, and Abney II for the next couple of years, and that might just work.
NFL Draft Buzz on Abney II : "The measurables are what they are – that 4.4 speed plays fine but won't wow anyone, and the 6-foot frame limits his ceiling against bigger receivers. But this kid understands the position at a level that translates to the pros."
"His floor is as a dependable backup who can spot start without killing you, with upside as a CB2 if everything clicks. The ceiling depends on whether those mechanical issues with his hips can be coached up and if he develops better block destruction skills. For teams looking for corner depth with starting potential, he makes sense on Day Two."
Round 3 (Pick 82)
Kyle Louis( Pittsburgh
, LB)
Louis does a little bit of everything and will only slip down draftboards because of his height: 5'11." His 4.6 speed will feast in Flores's defense, and the man has posted 6 interceptions and 10 sacks in 2024 and 2025.
Minnesota will probably roll with Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson as the starting off-ball linebackers in 2026, but they'll both be 30 or older during the regular season, making youth a requirement in this draft. Louis is the youth.
Round 3 (Pick 97)
Nick Singleton
(Penn State, RB)
With the " Sam Darnold pick" — the compensatory pick from his infamous free-agent departure — the Vikings will find their running back of the future in Singleton. He grabbed this spot in the 1.0 mock draft and might even do the same in 3.0. Singleton will be the real deal. Watch his tape.
Round 5 (Pick 161)
Drew Allar
(Penn State, QB)
For this exercise, we're pretending the Vikings sign a veteran like Kirk Cousins or Derek Carr — a very Vikings thing to do — to compete with J.J. McCarthy this summer. Neither man (Cousins nor Carr) is a solution for the future. Max Brosmer basically showed nothing as a rookie, looking like an undrafted free agent every step of the way in 2025.
Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (15) receives the snap during first-quarter action on Sep. 27, 2025, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania, as the Nittany Lions faced Oregon. Allar operated the offense early in the matchup, surveying the defense while the home crowd filled the stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images
Allar is 6'5″ and 235 pounds with a rocket arm. He was a 1st-Rounder on 2026 draftboards at this time last year, but the 2025 season did him no favors. Like McCarthy, some coach must fix his footwork. If O'Connell will spend ample time doing precisely that with McCarthy, why not add Allar to the mix for the tutelage?
Round 6 (Pick 196)
Caleb Douglas(Texas Tech, WR)
Douglas is 6'4″ and 205 pounds. The Vikings no longer embrace tall receivers. They will give it a whirl this time in Round 6, and Douglas will add a redzone threat on Sundays.
Round 7 (Pick 234)
Logan Fano(Utah, EDGE)
Fano is a long-armed prospect with all the essential tools of a solid EDGE. In the 7th Round, the Vikings use a throw at the dartboard on this Utah alumnus, perhaps to take Tyler Batty 's roster spot in 2026.
Round 7 (Pick 240)
Alex Harkey(Oregon, OT)
Fans will pray and cross their fingers that Christian Darrisaw 's ACL recovery follows a normal timeline during the 2026 offseason, but just in case, Minnesota should stock up on an offensive lineman or two for depth.
Harkey is 6'6″ and 320 pounds.
Round 7 (Pick 244)
Cole Wisniewski(Texas Tech, S)
Texas Tech safety Cole Wisniewski (5) lines up on defense during a road matchup on Oct. 18, 2025, at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe, Arizona, as the Red Raiders squared off against Arizona State. Wisniewski prepared for the snap while scanning the Sun Devils' offensive formation. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Wisniewski has big-safety size at 6'4″ and 220 pounds. With Harrison Smith's possible retirement front and center, Wisniewski will be another long-shot option as his replacement.
