The Minnesota Vikings have made another selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, and with this pick, they have kept their attention on the defensive side of the football.

Career Accomplishments: First-Team All-Big 12 (2025)

With the 51st pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Vikings have selected linebacker Jake Golday from the University of Cincinnati.

Golday started his college career at Central Arkansas, where he played his first three seasons before transferring to Cincinnati. He looks to be another versatile weapon for the Minnesota defense, as he’s an off-ball linebacker that can move all over the field. The Vikings do have a solid duo of off-ball linebackers at the moment in Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson, but both of them are getting up in age, and the Vikings need to develop some depth behind them at the position.

Golday is an impressive blitzer, having started his college career as a defensive end, and is a very sure tackler. He has some work to do as far as his coverage techniques are concerned, but while he’s learning from solid vets like Wilson and Cashman, he’ll be able to contribute on special teams straight away.

Following this pick, the Vikings are next slated to be back on the clock at #82 overall in the third round, barring any trades.