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Vikings Face a Defensive Reckoning in the 2026 Draft
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- Vikings Face a Defensive Reckoning in the 2026 Draft
Kevin Jairaj
The 2025 Minnesota Vikings were strong on defense and failed on offense. So it might seem strange to suggest the team should be concentrating on defense in the 2026 draft, but there is plenty of evidence to suggest that is the case.
Defense Emerging as the Vikings' Clear 2026 Draft Priority
Brian Flores has coached his defense to a very high level since arriving in Minnesota as the team's defensive coordinator in 2023. The Vikings' success on defense has largely been about a unit being stronger together rather than individual players. There are good players on the team, but no superstars. Adding some talent to this defensive roster could take it to the next level, making it the best in the league.
Minnesota Vikings Brian Flores on June 10th, 2025, and TCO Peformance Center, talking about his defense and the preparation for the 2025 regular season, which begins on September 8th, 2025, in a game at Soldier Field against the Chicago Bears.
The draft is always a great place to do that, and with four picks across the first two days, especially when the team has a few older players. There is plenty of scope for the Vikings to strengthen if they get the first post-Kwesi Adofo-Mensah draft right.
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There are also arguments for picking offensive players in the draft. Depending on the futures of Aaron Jones, TJ Hockenson, Ryan Kelly, Jordan Addison, and Jalen Nailor, the Vikings could be in the market for an RB, TE, C, or WR. I favour free agency for bolstering what is already quite a youthful offense. RB would be the main exception where a Day 2 pick would be a good option – unless Jeremiyah Love slides to 18. Day 3 can be used to bolster the depth at the offensive positions.
Defense in Round 1
Early mock drafts have focused heavily on defense in round one for Minnesota. The preferred positions have been interior defensive linemen and cornerbacks. It seems like the Vikings have been trying to draft their future at CB for years with a whole host of failed attempts. Minnesota drafted four CBs in the first round across six years between 2015 and 2020.
None of Trae Waynes, Mike Hughes, or Jeff Gladney achieved the lasting success the team had hoped for. Neither has a host of Day 2 picks, including Mackenzie Alexander, Cam Dantzler, Andrew Booth, or Mekhi Blackmon. It's time to look again for a CB, while safety is also a position that needs to be addressed.
Dec 21, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
Defensive tackle is a position that the Vikings have neglected in the draft in recent years. You have to go back to 2013 and Shariff Floyd for the last time Minnesota drafted a DT in the first round — no DT has been drafted before round 4 since then. It's time for that to change. Whether it's on Day 1 or Day 2, a young stud to pair with Jalen Redmond should be a high priority for the Vikings.
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Possible Targets
If CB and DT are the positions to look at, who are the possible targets for the Vikings? Clemson's Peter Woods has been seen as the star DT of this draft class who looked likely be out of reach for the Vikings at 18. However, his draft stock has fallen after a disappointing 2025 season. Making a path to Minnesota more likely. Next in line are Caleb Banks and Kayden McDonald — both would be solid picks for Minnesota. McDonald is my favored choice at the moment.
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Kayden McDonald (98) watches from the sideline during the NCAA football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. on Nov. 29, 2025. Ohio State won 27-9. © Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
There are a lot of CB options like Jermod McCoy, Avieon Terrell, Mansour Delane, and Colton Hood that the Vikings could have a shot at in Round 1, and a host of other names if they wait for Day 2 to look at the position — the same can be said for DT. Which way around should be determined by who's on the board on the day, but these are the first two positions I would be looking to address in the draft.
