Vikings’ 2026 NFL Draft Grades For Every Pick

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Vikings’ 2026 NFL Draft Grades For Every Pick

Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Steve Silverman, ClutchPoints · ClutchPoints

Sun, Apr 26, 2026 ·

8 min read

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The Minnesota Vikings appeared to be at a major disadvantage going into the 2026 NFL Draft. Unlike most teams, the Vikings did not have a general manager in place. They fired Kwesi Adofo-Mensah shortly after the 2025 season ended, and Rob Brzezinski is in the role as the team's interim general manager.

That means the Draft was really in the hands of head coach Kevin O'Connell, and he knows what he likes from an offensive perspective. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores had plenty of input, especially when it comes to defensive players.

The Vikings were expected to select S Dillon Thieneman of Oregon to step in for veteran Harrison Smith . While a full-fledged move into retirement is possible, so is a return by Smith. Perhaps O'Connell and Flores may have an understanding that Smith is going to give it one more year with the Vikings.

That would explain why they did not select Thieneman and went with a huge defensive tackle in Caleb Banks who has had foot problems in the past. While Banks is a monster when healthy, there are no guarantees he will be able to stay on his feet and play a 17-game schedule.

Round 1, No. 18: Caleb Banks, DL, Florida

Grade: C+

The Vikings decided to gamble on Banks with their first-round pick. Instead of making a secure pick by selecting Dillon Thieneman — who went to the division rival Chicago Bears — they decided to reach for Banks. He is a potential monster if he stays healthy because he can destroy offensive linemen trying to block him.

The problem is that Banks was not healthy last year and he is still not healthy now. Injury issues with his left foot allowed him to play just three games last season for Florida and the Vikings are hoping he will be ready to start preparing for the upcoming season in June.

The Vikings have a major need on the defensive line after moving on from Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave , and Banks could become a dominant player if he can stay healthy. That is a huge if. This is a boom-or-bust pick and it is based on the HOPE that Banks will be healthy by training camp, stay on the field throughout that experience and contribute for 17 games. The likelihood is that none of these things will happen.

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

Grade: B

Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

The trade of Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles tends to explain the selection of Golday, who has excellent size and speed for the position. Golday displayed quite a bit of improvement last season at Cincinnati, as he used his speed to display his great range at making plays sideline to sideline.

Golday did not look like he was on track to get drafted in the second round prior to last season because his recognition was questionable. He improved in that area dramatically last season, but there are questions about whether this 6-5, 239-pounder has refined his game enough to play without making mistakes.

Golday will not put the Vikings in a hole by committing penalties. He has not been flagged in either of the last two seasons with the Bearcats. He will show off his talent as a run defender and on special teams as he starts his career.

Round 3, No. 82: Domonique Orange, NT Iowa State

Grade: B+

Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-Imagn Images

The Vikings had a problem last season stopping the run, giving up nearly 30 yards more per game in 2025 than they did when they made the playoffs in 2024.There is little doubt that Fores wants the Vikings to improve in this area, and that is apparently the reason they drafted Orange with the first of their three third-round picks.

The 323-pound Orange — known as The Big Citrus — is a run stuffer deluxe. That's where he lined up on more than 70 percent of his snaps at Iowa State, and he can destroy the interior run.

He has great weight-room strength and it often shows on the field. If his weight remains under control, he should be an effective player this season for the Vikings.

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

Grade: B-

After three straight selections of defensive players, the Vikings went for a big offensive lineman. While LT Christian Darrisaw and RT Brian O'Neill are their two best offensive linemen, they went with another tackle. He may get an opportunity to play inside right away, but if injuries are an issue for Darrisaw, he can step in at left tackle.

Tiernan does an exceptional job with his hands and he can redirect pass rushers. Unlike most young offensive linemen, he is a much better pass blocker than run blocker at this point in his career.

The 6-8, 322-pound Tiernan should be effective when it comes to protecting the passer, and that should please O'Connell and the survivor of the QB battle between Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy

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

Grade: B-

The expectation was that the Vikings would select a safety with their first pick, but they decided to go with a boom-or-bust defensive lineman. They addressed their need at safety with this selection quite a bit later.

Thomas is extremely aggressive and he may be faked out of position by smart quarterbacks and receivers. He is a nasty, physical player who can punish running backs and receivers when he tackles them. However, if he bites on the fake, he takes himself out of the play.

Thomas will be an asset on special teams, but he may not have been the best safety on Miami. Drafting Keionte Scott may have been a better move for the Vikings, but they decided to roll the dice with Thomas

Round 5, No. 159: Max Bredeson, FB-TE, Michigan

Grade: C

The Vikings no longer have FB C.J. Ham as he has retired. As a result, there is a need for a fullback who can jump on the field in short-yardage situations. Ham was used mainly as a blocker and the same will be the case for Bredeson.

The problem is that the Vikings don't use their fullback very often. Ham was on the field for less than 20 percent of their offensive plays. Bredeson is an excellent blocker so they may use him as an H-back in addition to the fullback slot.

He is very familiar with McCarthy, so that should help the third-year quarterback have a solid rapport with Bredeson when he is on the field.

Round 5, No. 163: Charles Demmings, CB, Stephen F. Austin

Grade: B-

Demmings has the size, speed and athletic ability to step in and compete for time on the field as a rookie. He can run with fast wide receivers, and he has the skills to make plays on the ball. However, his recognition of the route is not a given and he is going to have to improve in this area quickly.

The Vikings will like what he brings to their pass defense when he is in man-to-man coverage, but he is often lost in zone coverage situations. If he gives up a key first down or a big play, he bounces back because of his confidence and desire to make up for a mistake.

Round 6, No. 198: Desmond Claiborne, RB, Wake Forest

Grade: B-

The Vikings have been looking for a running back who could hit the home run, and that's what Claiborne can do. He checks in at 5-9 (closer to 5-10) and 188 pounds, and he runs a 4.37 40 . He can get the job done as a runner, pass catcher and returning kickoffs.

The Vikings still have confidence in running backs Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason , but they could use a big-play specialist and that's what Claiborne has a chance to be. He will have an opportunity to stand out this summer and make a case for significant playing time.

Round 7, No. 235: Gavin Gerhardt, C, Cincinnati

Grade: C

The Vikings have been looking for a quality center for years, and after parting company with Garrett Bradbury after the 2024 season, they brought in Ryan Kelly last season. Injuries prevented Kelly from an effective season and he has retired.

Gerhardt will have a chance to compete for the job, but Blake Brandel is the favorite to earn the job as the team's starting center. Gerhardt has great size at 6-4 and 310 for the position, but he has much to prove before he gets significant playing time

Final Vikings Grade: C+

The Vikings did not look like a team that had a plan as the Draft played out. That's just what one would expect from a team that does not have a permanent general manager. However, they didn't perform very well in their previous drafts when they did have a full-time GM.

The Vikings will need quite a bit of luck for the selection of Banks to play out. If he can stay healthy and on the field and Golday also works out, the defense could become one of the best units in the NFL. That may be too much to expect.

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