2026 NFL Draft: Analysts are near unanimous with Minnesota Vikings' biggest need heading into the offseason
The 2025 NFL Draft has come and gone, which means that analysts have firmly move onto the 2026 NFL Draft. Isn't it a little bit too early to start focusing on the 2025 NFL Draft? That's one way to look at it. However, getting yourself familiar with the names who could go in next year's […]
The 2025 NFL Draft has come and gone, which means that analysts have firmly move onto the 2026 NFL Draft.
Isn't it a little bit too early to start focusing on the 2025 NFL Draft? That's one way to look at it. However, getting yourself familiar with the names who could go in next year's class is what the summer is for.
There is one other question you can ask yourself: What does this have to do with my team? On Saturday's, you'll be able to watch these players and get a sense of who they are. That's why way too early mock drafts are perfect.
Right after the 2022 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings were sent LSU defensive lineman Jaquelin Roy in multiple way-too-early mock drafts. He ended up going to the Vikings at the top of the fifth round the following year in 2023. They can be a benefit to you as a fan.
For that reason, I've gathered multiple industry mock drafts so you can get a sense of who the Vikings might be selecting come April.
Minnesota Vikings Way Too Early 2026 NFL Mock Draft Roundup
Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Dillon Thieneman has been one of the best safeties in the league for two years in a row despite playing for one of the worst defenses in the nation at Purdue. Now that he's with Oregon Thieneman should get the respect he deserves and an opportunity to shine for a team with real post-season hopes. Thieneman has legit sub-4.4 forty-yard dash speed, excellent range in the deep portions of the secondary, and should fit perfectly with the Vikings as the long-term Harrison Smith replacement.
Darrell Jackson Jr., DL, Florida State
The 6-5, 337-pound nose tackle sat out the 2023 season after transferring from Miami, but he didn't take long to establish himself as a massive disruptor on the interior. With his ability to command double teams and collapse pockets, Jackson could be a force multiplier on Brian Flores' defense – so long as the coordinator is still around in 2026 after receiving head-coaching consideration this past cycle.-Middlehurst-Schwartz
Suntarine Perkins, LB, Ole Miss
Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
A major surprise in the draft, the Vikings come out of the 2025 season uncertain about QB J.J. McCarthy’s future and head right back into the 2026 draft and take Nussmeier. The LSU passer has natural arm talent and could thrive in head coach Kevin O’Connell’s system with a number of playmakers on the outside.-Bergstrom
Jermond McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Delane decided to forego the NFL Draft and instead transferred to LSU. One would imagine the extra experience in the SEC will help elevate his profile and boost his resume even more.
He nearly doubled his career ball production in 2024, but will need to make sure he plays disciplined this upcoming season. If he does, he could be a sturdy answer for the Vikings' secondary.-Crabbs
Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas
Jermaine Mathews Jr., CB, Ohio State
It was surprising the Vikings didn’t add any cornerbacks in this year’s draft, but they only had five picks and no picks in the second or fourth rounds. They haven’t taken a 1st-round defensive back since current Eagles safety Lewis Cine in 2022, and they haven’t taken a 1st-round corner since 2020 with Jeff Gladney, who died tragically at 25 years old. Mathews hasn’t played a ton yet for Ohio State simply because they’ve been so deep in the secondary. But he projects to finally be a starter in 2025 and he’s already shown in limited action the traits and technique of a potential 1st-rounder. Mathews has a nose for the football and a terrific understanding of how quarterbacks are trying to attack. A big 2025 and Mathews will be one of the first few corners off the board in 2026.-Frank
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Scouts can check a lot of boxes with Styles, an NFL legacy who began his college career at safety before emerging at linebacker during the Buckeyes' championship run a year ago. As his experience in the secondary suggests, Styles is a top-notch athlete, but it's his disruptive play nearer the line of scrimmage against Texas in the Cotton Bowl (three tackles for loss, including a sack) that will have scouts most intrigued.-Rang
Harold Perkins, LB, LSU
Perkins is a staple in way-too-early mock drafts at this point. Unfortunately, he is now coming off a substantial injury, but from an athletic standpoint, few stack up as well as Perkins. LSU has deployed him in a variety of ways, but he should be listed as a playmaker.-Edwards
Jalon Kilgore, CB, South Carolina
After earning Freshman All-SEC honors in 2023, Kilgore tied for the SEC lead in interceptions (five) with Jahdae Barron and Andrew Mukuba in 2024. Another productive season will punch his ticket for next April’s early rounds.-Brugler
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Not sure the analytically-inclined Vikings would grab a running back here, but a young QB’s best friends are the tight end and the running game. I’m extremely bullish on the Vikings this season — like NFC Championship-caliber — so I think they’ll be picking in the 20s, which makes more sense for Love.-McIntyre
Keldric Faulk, DL, Auburn
The Vikings were widely assumed to be taking a defensive tackle in the 2025 first round, but opted to give their new starting quarterback, JJ McCarthy, a plug-and-play starting guard in Donovan Jackson. Faulk is listed at a massive 6-6. 288 pounds and has the ability to set a hard edge or create interior pressure from the three tech.-Froton
A.J. Harris, CB, Penn State
The Vikings have plenty of questions at corner, save for recently extended Byron Murphy Jr. They didn't select one this year, so it could be the position they target immediately in 2026. Harris thrived in his first season at Penn State after transferring from Georgia, showing easy vertical speed and change-of-direction ability. He attaches in man coverage but also shows comfort in zone. Scouts just want to see more ball production, as he had only one interception in 2024.-Reid
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