The Minnesota Vikings are relatively easy to figure out in the NFL Draft when it comes to how consensus views them
We have just 3 days remaining until the NFL Draft, and the Minnesota Vikings could be a turning point in the first round.
You can make a serious argument for the Vikings to take just about any position. Safety , cornerback , linebacker , defensive tackle , edge rusher , and wide receiver are the most likely positions they will choose from.
Over the last 16 weeks, we have gathered 477 mock drafts, including 49 this week. Here are the results of those mock drafts, with a heavy focus once again on safety.
“If Thieneman is on the board, I would find it hard to believe that the Vikings will pass on him. With Harrison Smith potentially retiring, Minnesota needs an impact safety on the back end. Thieneman can wear a lot of hats for an already talented defense.” – Roberts
“McCoy to 18 may feel ike a slide, and perhaps it is coming draft night, but there are some real concerns regarding his durability. Despite missing all of 2025, he still wasn't ready for the NFL Combine. He did, however, put on a show at his Pro Day, and his 2024 tape is the best of any corner in the class. I could see him excelling with a defensive mastermind like Brian Flores.” – A to Z Sports’ Rob Gregson
“It appears as though Harrison Smith’s watch has ended in Minnesota. He was a key player for that team for over a decade but they are ushering in a new era with Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. Three safeties taken in the top-20 overall is proof of an unconventional draft.” – Edwards
“Caleb Downs is going to grade as one of the better players in this draft, so the Vikings will hit a home run with their Harrison Smith replacement. I tried to find a place for Downs earlier in this draft, but it just didn't happen.” – Schwartz
“The Minnesota Vikings really don’t want to have to start J.J. McCarthy again, so they opt to reinforce Kyler Murray ’s offensive line by selecting Kadyn Proctor, arguably the most physically tantalizing offensive lineman in this draft. At his massive size, Minnesota aims to move him inside to guard if Will Fries continues to struggle. However, their defensive backs and wide receiver rooms could have depth here.” – Podell
“The biggest needs for the Vikings are at defensive tackle (where there aren't great prospects in round one) and the secondary (where the draft is loaded on day two). Sadiq would give them a better third option at wide receiver than Tai Felton while being developed to take over for T.J. Hockenson in 2027.” – Forness
“Pairing McDonald, a dominant nose tackle, with Jalen Redmond would help solve many of the Vikings’ issues up front.” – Hunt
“The Vikings had real issues catching the football last season, and the situation hasn't exactly improved. With Jalen Nailor now in Las Vegas , they're currently planning to give Tai Felton and his three rookie receptions a starting role. That's a problem.
This pick might feel a bit rich for Boston, but based on conversations I had with a couple of teams over the weekend, the gap between him, KC Concepcion, and Omar Cooper Jr. isn't nearly as wide for some teams as the draft community may think. It really comes down to stylistic preference, and for Minnesota, the need is clear: a big, physical outside receiver to complement Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison . Boston fits that mold perfectly.” – McShay
“Love may not go fourth overall, but his slide ends here. The Vikings have a need at running back and nine picks in this draft. Rather than sitting back and hoping he falls, they get aggressive and snap him up.” – Fornelli
“The Vikings come away from this pick hoping the speedy, fiery Hood ends their interminable search for a shutdown outside corner. They have a long-term need at the position, too, with Isaiah Rodgers set to enter free agency after 2026 and Byron Murphy due a huge base salary ($17.4 million, per Over The Cap) in 2027.” – Reuter
“Minnesota needs a pass rush in a division full of high-end QBs, and Mesidor fits Brian Flores’ style. When you’re facing Jordan Love , Jared Goff and Caleb Williams , defensive pressure is a must.” – McFadden
The last full week brings a whopping 49 mock drafts, which is down from 63 in the same week last season. We are also severely behind the pace of last season with just 477 mock drafts, compared to 564 in 2025. It is trending to be at or ahead of the 545 from the 2023 NFL Draft cycle.
| Player |
Selection |
|---|---|
| S Dillon Thieneman |
169 |
| CB Avieon Terrell |
74 |
| S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren |
56 |
| CB Jermod McCoy |
30 |
| DT Kayden McDonald |
23 |
| DT Peter Woods |
21 |
| DT Caleb Banks |
16 |
| CB Mansoor Delane |
14 |
| RB Jeremiyah Love |
13 |
| CB Colton Hood |
11 |
| CB Brandon Cisse |
6 |
| WR Denzel Boston |
6 |
| S Caleb Downs |
5 |
| TE Kenyon Sadiq |
4 |
| LB C.J. Allen |
4 |
| OG Olaivavega Ioane |
3 |
| WR Jordyn Tyson |
3 |
| EDGE Keldric Faulk |
3 |
| DT A’Mauri Washington |
2 |
| WR Makai Lemon |
2 |
| 2 |
|
| OL Spencer Fano |
2 |
| OT Kadyn Proctor |
2 |
| EDGE Akheem Mesidor |
2 |
| WR Carnell Tate |
1 |
| QB Ty Simpson |
1 |
| EDGE T.J. Parker |
1 |
| WR Omar Cooper Jr. |
1 |
| Total |
477 |
