Nonetheless, there are different to weigh risk and evaluate talent throughout an NFL offseason, especially in the NFL Draft . And that's what has the Vikings in a bit of hot water, from various "experts" who are highly-regarded around draft circles.
The MN Vikings told us they were comfortable sticking and picking at No. 18 overall, which they proved by selecting 6'6″ athletic monster interior defensive lineman, Caleb Banks, out of Florida .
A couple months ago, they may have gotten away with taking Banks at 18, after he showed out during the combine. But that was before news got out that he had broken his foot while in Indianapolis , the second time he suffered an injury to that foot in the past year.
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For context, Mel Kiper (ESPN) had Banks tanked as his 62nd best prospect in the draft. Dane Brugler (The Athletic) like him a bit more, placing him 52nd overall in this somewhat down draft class.
That didn't stop the Minnesota Vikings from passing on multiple high-end receivers, running backs, safeties , offensive lineman and even other interior defensive linemen who most had ranked above Banks.
Ultimately, as is the case most often in life, time will be the ultimate judge — not just of Caleb Banks as a mid-first round draft pick — but of the Vikings entire 2026 class.
Nonetheless, there is no doubt they came out of this latest draft with a ton of needs left on the roster, especially for a team that considers itself a playoff contender.
| Rd |
Pick |
Player |
Pos |
School |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
18 |
Caleb Banks |
iDL |
Florida |
| 2 |
51 |
Jake Golday |
iLB |
|
| 3 |
82 |
Domonique Orange |
iDL |
Iowa State |
| 3 |
97 |
Caleb Tiernan |
OT |
Northwestern |
| 3 |
98 |
Jakobe Thomas |
CB |
|
| 4 |
159 |
Max Bredeson |
FB |
Michigan |
| 5 |
163 |
Charles Demmings |
CB |
Stephen F. Austin |
| 5 |
198 |
Demond Claiborne |
RB |
Wake Forest |
| 7 |
235 |
Gavin Gerhardt |
C |
Cincinnati |
Banks will certainly be the future barometer by which this group is measured. However, his success is hardly the only talent that Kevin O'Connell and Brian Flores will need to mold into a usable player this season.
Jakobe Thomas should see extensive exposure whether Harrison Smith returns or not . Max Bredeson also looks like an immediate replacement for C.J. Ham , even if he's not lining up behind friend J.J. McCarthy .
After the Minnesota Vikings put the final touches on their nine-man 2026 NFL Draft class, they immediately needed to turn a focus towards those players that went undrafted. That was the Kwesi Adofo-Mensah special, and while not tabbed by him, recent future Ring of Honor retirees C.J. Ham and Adam Thielen both took that path.
19 more players joined the MN Vikings organization as undrafted free agents.
| Player |
Position |
School |
|---|---|---|
| Marcus Allen |
CB |
North Carolina |
| Da'Veawn Armstead |
CB |
North Texas |
| Dillon Bell |
WR |
Georgia |
| Jordan Botehlo |
OLB |
Notre Dame |
| Tyreek Chappell |
CB |
Texas A&M |
| Monkell Goodwine |
DL |
South Carolina |
| Shaleak Knotts |
WR |
Maryland |
| Keli Lawson |
LB |
UCF |
| Tristan Leigh |
OL |
Clemson |
| Delby Lemieux |
OL |
Dartmouth |
| Kejon Owens |
RB |
FIU |
| Tomas Rimac |
OL |
Virginia Tech |
| Marcus Sanders Jr. |
WR |
Ga. Southern |
| Cam'Ron Stewart |
OLB |
Temple |
| Jacob Thomas |
S |
James Madison |
| Brett Thorson |
P |
Georgia |
| Arden Walker |
OLB |
Colorado |
| Scooby Williams |
LB |
Texas A&M |
| Luke Wysong |
WR |
The collection of 19 names includes a bunch of players that will compete for what has affectionately become known as Mr. Mankato. While training camp now takes place at TCO Performance Center in Eagan, looking to be noticed and crack an opportunity remains the goal.
If we are going on name vibes alone, then Monkell Goodwine needs a roster spot. After transferring to South Carolina from Alabama, he finished with 31 tackles and four for losses in his senior season. He'll be looking to crack a fluid interior defensive line rotation.
It is honestly impossible to have a better punt.
PERFECTION from Brett Thorson. pic.twitter.com/kZLaE1NMi2— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) November 5, 2022
Realistically, the most likely path to a roster spot comes to Brett Thorson. The MN Vikings lost Ryan Wright to the Saints this offseason. Sure, they signed Johnny Hekker , but this is the best punter in college.
NFL Insider Jason La Canfora wondered how high Thorson could go in the NFL Draft, and instead the Vikings didn't need to part with any draft capital. Instead they get a four-year starter from Georgia, and Thorson may win the job out of the gate.
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