Who the Vikings May Draft in 2026 if They Follow Last Year’s Drill
Story by
Who the Vikings May Draft in 2026 if They Follow Last Year’s Drill
Minnesota Vikings guard Donovan Jackson takes part in position drills during minicamp, working through technique and conditioning sessions with coaches and teammates at the team facility, Jun 10, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. The rookie lineman focused on refining fundamentals as he pushed to carve out a role along the offensive front. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.
Dustin Baker·Vikings Territory
·
4 min read
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
In the 2025 NFL Draft, theMinnesota Vikingsselected Ohio State guardDonovan Jackson, who mostly worked out as a rookie. At the time, many considered him a slight "reach" on the draftboard, and here's a look at who's in play if the Vikings follow the same pattern.
Last year's Jackson template may offer a clue aboutMinnesota's next first-round swing.
A Familiar Draft Reach Could Be in Play for Minnesota
What's your preference for the Vikings' draft pick?
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Bo Richter (98) and guard Donovan Jackson (74) celebrate with fans along the sideline following a road victory, sharing energy after the final whistle at AT&T Stadium, Dec 14, 2025, in Arlington, Texas, USA. The moment captured postgame enthusiasm as Minnesota wrapped up its matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images.
Jackson at No. 39 on the CBB Last Year
Minnesota held the 24th pick heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, and they picked a man ranked at No. 39 onthe Consensus Big Board. After-the-fact reporting claimed theHouston Texanswould've chosen Jackson at No. 25 — he's from Houston, so there was a hometown angle — and the Texans needed interior offensive line help.
The Vikings basically proved that they're comfortable whisking public-facing draftboards to the side in the interest of getting their man. For example, per the draft community, Minnesota might've been able to trade down and still get Jackson, though the public didn't know about the Texans-Jackson stipulation.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
This was the Consensus Big Board last year, men ranked from 24 to 40:
Texas Tech defensive lineman Lee Hunter addresses reporters during a media session, discussing preparation and expectations ahead of the season at Big 12 Football Media Days, Jul 8, 2025, in Frisco, Texas, USA. Hunter fielded questions from assembled media as part of the conference's annual preseason event at The Star. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images.
The translation? These are rookies who seem like a reach right now. Or might fit this lingo: "I like him, but the Vikings can trade down and still get him." That was Jackson at this time last year, and he ultimately became a Viking at pick No. 25.
Who Makes the Most Sense?
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Minnesota has more than one long-term roster need right now because of former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah'snauserating drafting habits. But from the list above, the players who might propel the Vikings to "reach" can be reasonably narrowed to this:
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren(S, Toledo)
Caleb Banks(DL, Florida)
Kayden McDonald(DL, Ohio State)
Colton Hood(CB, Tennessee)
Brandon Cisse(CB, South Carolina)
Lee Hunter(DL, Texas Tech)
Interim boss general managerRob Brzezinskiwould basically see one of those names and fear that another team would swipe him, and with Minnesota's draft board not necessarily aligning with the CBB, he could pounce.
Ohio State defensive lineman Kayden McDonald (98) celebrates a fumble recovery with teammates after forcing a turnover, reacting quickly during first-half action at Gies Memorial Stadium, Oct 11, 2025, in Champaign, Illinois, USA. The Buckeyes capitalized on the play against Illinois as momentum shifted following the defensive takeaway. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-Columbus Dispatch.
Yahoo Sports' Nate Tice mock-drafted McDonald to Minnesota at No. 18 this weekand explained, "There are a couple of interesting safety options, they could look to find theT.J. Hockensonreplacement in Kenyon Sadiq, or they could add some tangible beef to their defensive line.Brian Floresis going to scheme pressures and big plays for his defense, but the Vikings could use someone to eat up blocks to let teammates fly to the football."
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
"McDonald isn't the sexiest prospect, but his ability to hold up against the run is his calling card, while also having light enough feet to be used on the twists and stunts that Flores loves so much. McDonald is basically the defensive version of the line of thinking that led to theDonovan Jacksonselection last year at offensive guard: a tangible trench talent who can let the creative coaches be creative."
The Favorites Otherwise
Back to reality, if the Vikings donotfollow last year's pattern, these are arguably the frontrunners to join the club with the 18th overall pick:
Jermod McCoy(CB, Tennessee)
Kenyon Sadiq(TE, Oregon)
Avieon Terrell(CB, Clemson)
Dillon Thieneman(S, Oregon)
Peter Woods(DT, Clemson)
In the last two weeks, sincethe NFL Combine, Thieneman has morphed into the Vikings' almighty mock-draft darling.
