The 2026 NFL Draft is less than 24 hours away, and there hasn’t been a lot of excitement surrounding what the Minnesota Vikings might do. They own the 18th overall pick in the first round, and a total of nine selections overall, the most they’ve had since 2022, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s first season on the job.
But Adofo-Mensah won’t be calling the shots this time around. Interim general manager Rob Brzezinski will have final say over the team’s draft selections, but you can be sure head coach Kevin O’Connell and defensive coordinator Brian Flores will have a heavy influence over the team’s decisions.
While many projections have the team taking the same safety prospect in the first round, the Vikings also have other needs to address. Below is our best crack at a 2026 Minnesota Vikings mock draft, projecting every pick from No. 18 to 244.
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I know it’s a bit boring, only because every Vikings mock draft projects Dillon Thieneman, but we just don’t envision Kenyon Sadiq or Spencer Fano falling to 18. Yet, Thieneman as a prospect should excite Vikings fans, as he boasts freakish speed (4.35-second 40 time) and is a versatile piece who can make an impact at the line of scrimmage, lined up deep, or in the nickel. He’d be a human chess piece for coach Flores.
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Linebacker isn’t an immediate need, but adding competition to a group that only has Eric Wilson under contract past 2026. Meanwhile, the 6-foot-4 Golday possesses impressive sideline-to-sideline quickness, reaching speeds of up to 22 mph. The former edge rusher will continue to improve in coverage, but Golday will consistently record over 100 tackles at the next level.
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After releasing Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, the Vikings have a need in the trenches. Jalen Redmond is developing into an excellent pressure threat, but Domonique Orange or “Big Citrus” can make life easier as an excellent run-stopper with extreme strength. Yet, with only one sack in college, he’ll have to continue developing as a pass-rusher at the next level.
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Last offseason, the Vikings signed Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly because he was not only known for being good but also incredibly smart at his position. This offseason, Kelly retired due to a high frequency of concussions. While Blake Brandel replaced him admirably in 2025, bringing in more competition is a must. A former walk-on guard, Hecht has worked himself into being an above-average center who plays with a high IQ and strong instincts.
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Rare size-speed freak as a 6-foot-5 receiver who clocked a 4.31-second 40-yard dash. Caldwell is not only an on-field blazer, but he also has experience playing special teams, and even blocked two punts in college.
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The Vikings’ fullback and special teams captain C.J. Ham retired. The Vikings could look to replace him with Navy’s all-time leading receiver. He’s used to all sorts of trick plays at Navy, but there’s no doubt Heidenreich is an excellent pass-catcher, but the 6-foot, 198-pound athlete would need to bulk up to become a fullback/tight end. Still, with his 4.44 speed, there’s a chance he could develop into a unique weapon in coach O’Connell’s offense.
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In need of more defensive back depth, taking a flier on a 6-foot-1 corner with 4.4 speed is well worth it in the seventh round. Especially considering Domani Jackson was a top-five recruit coming out of high school. Yet, after losing valuable development time due to injury, Jackson would benefit from NFL coaching and patience, but he has the traits to excel in his likely special teams role early on.
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Chances are, the Vikings will address the RB position before the seventh round, but with Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason returning, it’s not an urgent need for 2026. Thus, they can afford to take a chance on a lotto ticket like Jam Miller later on. The 5-foot-10, 209-pound back undoubtedly needs to improve in pass protection after just 40 total receptions in his college career. Yet, there’s some upside here for an athlete who disappointed with a 4.42 40 time.
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