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The Vikings’ 6 Biggest Roster Needs before the Draft
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- The Vikings’ 6 Biggest Roster Needs before the Draft
Jeffrey Becker
The Minnesota Vikings locked in a 2026 coaching staff, re-signed some players from the 2025 roster, and added just a few newcomers. Next up? The draft . It's three weeks away. So, let's peek at the long-term roster needs, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = most important, given the current depth chart).
Minnesota still has clear fixable spots heading into draft month.
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The Vikings have a boatload of picks this go-round to fill out the current roster , which has about 60 men.
These 6 Positions Stand Out Most on Minnesota's Depth Chart
What do you consider the primary roster needs before the draft?
Tai Felton moves through pregame warmups ahead of preseason action on Aug. 9, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, giving an early glimpse of the rookie receiver's preparation and movement skills. The session highlighted his route work and focus as he pushed for a role within Minnesota's offensive rotation entering the season. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
6. WR3
Under Contract for 2026: Tai Felton
| Myles Price
Under Contract for 2027: Tai Felton| Myles Price
This doesn't account for Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison — those dudes are not WR3s.
But the fact remains that Felton is the only possibly serious WR3 on the depth chart, a problem the Vikings could easily fix by signing a free agent like Deebo Samuel , Stefon Diggs , Tyreek Hill , or DeAndre Hopkins . It's why some consider WR a sneaky roster need this draft, especially by those who don't think Felton projects a long-term solution.
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Possible Fixes from the Draft:
Chris Brazzell( Tennessee
)
Elijah Sarratt(Indiana)
Ted Hurst(Georgia State)
5. Running Back
Under Contract for 2026: Jordan Mason
| Aaron Jones
| Zavier Scott
Under Contract for 2027:
If the Vikings want to draft a tailback later this month and basically redshirt him — great. But now is the time to contemplate the future at the spot, with Jones and Mason scheduled for off-ramps next offseason.
In fact, the Vikings haven't drafted productive halfbacks since Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison in 2017 and 2019, respectively, so nature says it's time to head back to the wishing well.
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Possible Fixes from the Draft:
Jadarian Price(Notre Dame)
Mike Washington
Jr.(Arkansas)
Jonah Coleman
(Washington)
Emmett Johnson(Nebraska)
Nick Singleton
(Penn State)
4. Cornerback
Under Contract for 2026: Byron Murphy Jr.
| Isaiah Rodgers
| James Pierre
Under Contract for 2027: Byron Murphy Jr.| James Pierre
Similar to the running back draft drought — but more egregious — Minnesota hasn't found decent cornerbacks in the draft since Trae Waynes in 2015 and Mackensie Alexander in 2016. Yes, we're talking a naughty stretch of 10 years.
The only reason this spot doesn't rank higher on the list is because of one man: Brian Flores. He fostered a Top 3 defense last year with Murphy Jr., Rodgers, and Fabian Moreau . For some reason, Flores doesn't need elite corners to cook. But could you imagine what it might be like if he had one though? Lordy.
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Possible Fixes from the Draft:
Jermod McCoy(Tennessee)
Avieon Terrell(Clemson)
Colton Hood(Tennessee)
Brandon Cisse(South Carolina)
Chris Johnson
(San Diego State)
D'Angelo Ponds(Indiana)
Keionte Scott( Miami
)
Keith Abney II(Arizona State)
Treydan Stukes
(Arizona)
Davison Igbinosun
(Ohio State)
Malik Muhammad(Texas)
3. Center
Under Contract for 2026: Blake Brandel
| Michael Jurgens
Under Contract for 2027: Michael Jurgens
Similar to cornerback, center might check in around No. 2 if not for head coach Kevin O'Connell's comments this week at the NFL's league meetings. He offered a glowing endorsement for Brandel to play center in 2026, while mentioning that a rookie center is probably on the way.
Blake Brandel lines up in protection during NFC wild card action on Jan. 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, battling the Rams' defensive front. The Vikings guard worked to anchor the interior against pressure, reflecting the physical demands of postseason play as Minnesota's offensive line faced a high-stakes defensive challenge. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
Ryan Kelly retired last month after sustaining three concussions in 2026 alone. The Vikings need youth in the pipeline at center, especially if Brandel doesn't pan out as a long-term starter.
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Possible Fixes from the Draft:
Connor Lew(Auburn)
Sam Hecht(Kansas State)
Jake Slaughter(Florida)
Logan Jones(Iowa)
Parker Brailsford
(Alabama)
Pat Coogan(Indiana)
2. Safety
Under Contract for 2026: Josh Metellus
| Jay Ward
| Theo Jackson
Under Contract for 2027: Josh Metellus| Theo Jackson
Where's Harrison Smith , you say? He's not a member of the Vikings' roster as of April 1st. He's a free agent.
Of course, Smith's decision this offseason is binary: he'll either retire or return for Year No. 15. But no matter what he decides, the Vikings need a safety for the long haul. They just do. Metellus played through a torn labrum last season and took a noticeable step back. Flores benched Jackson for Ward in December. And Ward's rookie deal is nearing expiration.
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The only reason safety isn't No. 1 is that Ward could break out this year, and Metellus is due for a bounceback season. Metellus and Ward (if extended) at safety in 2027 isn't the worst starting spot for an offseason.
Possible Fixes from the Draft:
Caleb Downs
(Ohio State)
Dillon Thieneman(Oregon)
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren(Toledo)
A.J. Haulcy(LSU)
Kamari Ramsey
(USC)
Genesis Smith(Arizona)
Jalon Kilgore(South Carolina)
Bud Clark
(TCU)
1. Defensive Tackle
Under Contract for 2026: Jalen Redmond
| Levi Drake Rodriguez
| Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
Under Contract for 2027: Levi Drake Rodriguez| Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
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Foremost, it will be "easy" for the Vikings to re-sign Redmond in 2027; his restricted free agency affords a remarkable degree of team control.
Still, Minnesota released Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave this offseason, and those actions directly pointed the needle to defensive tackle as the top long-term need. The Vikings proved last year that they hoped to build the defensive trenches from the inside — the interior; they just picked the wrong guys in Allen and Hargrave.
Josh Jacobs bursts into the open field for a touchdown run while Jalen Redmond gives chase during third-quarter action on Dec. 29, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The play showcased Jacobs' acceleration and vision, while Redmond's pursuit effort reflected Minnesota's urgency in a fast-moving NFC North matchup. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
The mindset was righteous, and now the club, equipped with nine picks this cycle, can find a younger option.
Possible Fixes from the Draft:
Peter Woods(Clemson)
Kayden McDonald(Ohio State)
Caleb Banks(Florida)
Christen Miller(Georgia)
Lee Hunter(Texas Tech)
Domonique Orange(Iowa State)
Gracen Halton(Oklahoma)
Darrell Jackson Jr.
(Florida State)
It's worth noting that Minnesota could rather easily trade down on draft night, add an extra 2nd- or 3rd-Rounder, and still come away with McDonald or Banks.
