7-Round Minnesota Vikings NFL Mock Draft: First round trade sets the stage for a fascinating class for Kevin O’Connell

The Minnesota Vikings are really interesting when it comes to the NFL Draft. There are a multitude of options for them in the NFL Draft, and the latest seven-round NFL mock draft highlights a pass catcher in round one.

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Mar 30, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell during the 2026 NFL Annual League Meeting at the Arizona Biltmore.
Mar 30, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell during the 2026 NFL Annual League Meeting at the Arizona Biltmore. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings’ strategy in the NFL Draft is going to be one to watch.

We are just 16 days away from the NFL Draft, and there are a lot of paths the Vikings can take.

There are a bevy of options for the Vikings to look at, and we explored one of those on The Real Forno Show.

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21. KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

Vikings trade No. 18 to the Pittsburgh Steelers for No. 21 and 85

This is a really interesting spot for the Vikings to be in. When looking at the board, there were four players I really liked at 18th overall, and the Steelers offered a third-round pick to move back three spots. Make it a pretty easy decision.

It also made the pick for us, as Concepcion was the only player remaining of those three. He is perfect for a Kevin O’Connell offense, thriving in all three phases: route running, the catchpoint, and getting yards after the catch. He’s not a perfect player, measuring in at under 5-11 and had a drop issue. Even so, he’s proven to be so dynamic across the board that he’s worth the selection.

49. Christen Miller, DT, Georgia

This isn’t the strongest defensive tackle class, and it could be interesting to see how they attack the position. With Caleb Banks and Peter Woods being off the board, they will have some interesting decisions to make.

Miller is a bigger prospect at 6-4 and 320 pounds with plus athleticism and limited production from a pass rushing standpoint. That’s not crazy when you consider how Glenn Schumann runs his defense, as they play very specific roles. Miller’s ability to be versatile is a big factor for Flores.

82. A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU

When it comes to playing safety, Flores loves players who can thrive in multiple roles. Josh Metellus is the posterboy for how Flores wants his safeties to play. Haulcy has a throwback body type at over 220 pounds, and he thrives at being a ballhawk. Having the ability to do a little bit of both will be a huge benefit for Flores on the back end.

85. Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame

This would be a crazy situation to occur. Price was a serious consideration at 82, and probably should have been the pick. He is likely to be selected in the top-40 come April as the second-best running back in the class. Price is a versatile back who can do whatever you ask of him, especially with passing game versatility. Adding a running back shouldn’t be a priority for the Vikings, but selecting the right one makes a ton of sense. Price fits the bill.

97. Ahmari Harvey, CB, Georgia Tech

I’m not going to sugarcoat it: Harvey is my favorite player in the NFL Draft. Consensus is going to be much lower on him than I am, and it’s not a surprise. He is every bit the aggressive cornerback with elite ball skills who can thrive in man and zone coverage. The mentality Harvey has is everything you want in a cornerback, and he shows that each and every rep.

163. Deontae Lawson, LB, Alabama

Linebacker is a bigger need than most want to give it credit for being, and getting one should be an early priority. With how the board shakes out, that may not end up happening. In that case, Lawson has really good movement skills in short spaces and a lot of experience as a fifth-year senior. There are size and overall athleticism limitations, but it’s a good bet, especially when it comes to special teams.

196. John Michael Gyllenborg, TE, Wyoming

Day three should be about filling up the special teams units and taking high-upside wagers on talented players. Gyllenborg is a fascinating player. He’s got the size and athletic profiles to thrive in the NFL, but there are some major inconsistency issues he will need to overcome. Being late to the game of football won’t help either.

234. Matt Gulbin, IOL, Michigan State

The Vikings would be smart to take at least one offensive lineman in the NFL Draft, especially one who knows how to play center. Gulbin was a three-year starter at Michigan State who thrives with his strength and moving in a linear fashion. There are limitations with him in terms of his short arms and lateral quickness, but it’s a good bet to make in round seven.

235. Eric Gentry, LB, USC

Gentry is a fascinating profile. He is an off-ball linebacker, but is among the weirdest builds for one in NFL history. He’s 6-6 5/8 and 228 pounds with near 36″ arms. His unique frame leaves a lack of play strength, which is a huge issue for a middle linebacker. However, the length he has is a true weapon in coverage. It’s hard to bet on outliers, but in round seven, take the chance every time. He could easily become a core special teams player.

244. Jalen Catalon, S, Missouri

It feels like we’ve been waiting for Catalon to enter the draft for years. He’s had quite the run in college football, spending four years at Arkansas, followed by one each at Texas, UNLV, and Missouri. That veteran leadership is exactly what Flores has shown to want in the secondary.

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