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How Will Vikings Draft Will Look Different Under Rob Brzezinski?
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- How Will Vikings Draft Will Look Different Under Rob Brzezinski?
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are preparing for their first NFL Draft with acting general manager Rob Brzezinski running the show for the first time..
While Brzezinski has been a member of the MN Vikings front office since 1999 , including from 2006-2011 when he was one corner of the infamous “ Triangle of Authority .” But the upcoming 2026 draft will be the first where he’s had final say on decisions.
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So, should we expect something drastically different, in terms of strategy or mission directives, with Kwesi Adofo-Mensah out of the GM chair, and Brzezinski now in it ? We’ll soon find out. But whatever the team’s draft plan is, the results are expected to be better.
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Rob Brzezinski has spent 27 years behind the scenes with the Vikings.
Now he’s suddenly in charge of one of the most crucial offseasons in franchise history. pic.twitter.com/KeqZ0Ydb9Y— The Athletic NFL (@TheAthleticNFL) March 6, 2026
Not only should everyone demand more from the 2026 Minnesota Vikings draft, than recent classes, but you should indeed expect it to feel and look different than what we saw with Adofo-Mensah running the show.
In summary, be ready for a lot more… boring (hopefully, in a good way).
Rob Brzezinski’s first draft will not look like recent MN Vikings drafts
According to what the Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling told Dan Barreiro on KFAN Radio Friday — (40:15 mark below w/transcript included) — we shouldn’t expect any massive trades up or down the draft board on day one or anything else that might be considered trying to “hit the green in two on a par five”.
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Instead, Brzezinski, along with Kevin O’Connell and Brian Flores, are expected to be patient, diligent, and not act in ways that try to rethink the draft into something it’s not. More of a fundamentals approach to the annual offseason event, if you will .
“Well, I think it is probably going to be a little less — unpredictable, I guess. I think you’re probably going to see a little more ‘stick and pick’, maybe a little bit of trading back to accumulate a couple other picks, but nothing like a move from twelve to thirty two, or anything like that — or even the move that they made to move up in the first round to get Dallas Turner. I think there is a philosophy of ‘we need to hit on some picks. We need to draft players that can contribute.'”
“I think the focus is going to be. ‘let’s make sure we are making solid picks, but let’s make sure we are not trying to game the board for maximum value, so much, as you know, finding ways to develop players and intellect players that everybody feels good about. I think they may look for more picks and maybe accumulate a few more over the course of that draft, but I think it’ll be a little less of, you know, trying to hit the green in two on a par five, than perhaps what we saw with Kwesi implement at times.”
Related: Wilfs Did Not Order Vikings’ Spending Freeze
Fun Fact: The NFL Draft turns 90 years old this year. The first ever draft — then known as the Annual Player Selection Meeting — was held in on February 8, 1936. The MN Vikings’ first draft was in 1961 were first joined the AFL in 19, which also had an amatuer draft that competed with the NFL for players from to until the two leagues merged in 1960.
Minnesota Vikings going trying to hit singles, not home runs
In other words, this year’s Vikings aren’t trying to bat 10 for 10 with 4 homers and three extra base hits, now that Kwesi is out. They want to step to the plate, when it’s there turn, and knock some draft picks around the park.
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Under Adofo-Mensah, fundamental drafting was out the window. The most infamous swing and miss by the former General Manager happened with his first ever pick, when the Minnesota Vikings traded their No. 12 overall pick to the Detroit Lions, in order to move down 20 spots to pick 32.
At 32, they selected safety Lewis Cine, out of Georgia. He finished his Vikings career two years later, with 10 games played and ONE assisted tackle to show for it. If we believe those now in charge at TCO Performance Center, that type of misstep on April 23 will not happen with Brzezinski in charge.
“We’re looking at this as something that we want to incrementally get better and sustain,” Brzezinski said.
Patience is the guiding principle here. It’s the same idea that Brzezinski introduced with free agency. The Vikings were interested in available options at running back and on the defensive line, but when their markets skyrocketed, they held their ground, believing that it would suit them over the long haul.
Brzezinski’s Vikings focused on best player available
Instead, Rob, KOC and B-Flo have set the roster up so depth isn’t really an issue at any one position, even safety, where Harrison Smith feels closer and closer to yet another return, if called upon.
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The Minnesota Vikings believe that depth will allow for Rob and the boys to remain patient, stick to their draft board, and diligently select names near the top of it when they go on the clock, no matter what position that player plays.
#Vikings EVP Rob Brzezinski says drafting for team needs rather than best player available is the “biggest reason” why some players fail to line up to their full potential:
“I think it’s the biggest reason why a lot of players fail in this business… You force a need. And for a… pic.twitter.com/tb61fMH2or— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) April 4, 2026
Related: Vikings Unveil Updated QB Plan; How Practice Reps Will be Split
Unfortunately, Kwesi’s draft problems went far beyond any pick he made back in 2022. And all the key players from those previous war rooms are still there now, outside of the former general manager.
Not only that, but Rob Brzezinski is trying to prove to the Wilfs that he is fit to handle GM duties full-time. Thus, failure is not an option this time around. And blaming Adofo-Mensah is no longer an available option, if things don’t work out.
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