Grade the Trade: Minnesota Vikings make first trade of the weekend, and they still end up with a phenomenal fit
The Vikings didn’t wait long to make their first trade of the NFL Draft, dropping two spots in round two and selecting a perfect player for Brian Flores’ defense.
The Minnesota Vikings entered the second day of the NFL Draft with nine selections. The first one was defensive tackle Caleb Banks, and they had their first pick at 49th overall on Friday.
They didn’t wait long to make their first move. While on the clock for the first time, they made a trade, as the Panthers ended up swapping with the Vikings. They move up 37 picks from 196 to 159 to drop down two spots.
It’s an interesting element to the discussion, as the Vikings theoretically were looking to add another pick on day two, which could give them another starter. Instead, they move down and pick up another selection.
Minnesota Vikings trade with Carolina Panthers
With the trade down, the Vikings ended up getting a great fit in Cincinnati Bearcats linebacker Jake Golday. He is a fascinating player for the Vikings, with his size and movement skills maximizing what he can do from a linear and versatility standpoint.
Our own Ryan Roberts broke down one of the more fascinating players in this draft.
There may not be a more unique linebacker in the 2026 class than Golday, who brings a unique body type and style to the table. He’s a taller athlete who fits the profile for what you’re looking for in an inside backer. Despite his notable size, Golday has a lot of experience playing out in space as an overhang defender. Those reps have allowed Golday to become very comfortable navigating in space, giving him the ability to showcase his overall movement skills and pursuit speed. Without a ton of experience playing from a stacked position, there aren’t a ton of examples for how well Golday can take on blocks and react quickly. The talent is there but several key questions remain to be answered.
A to Z Sports' Ryan Roberts
Title
If there is a perfect spot for Golday to be taken, it’s in Minnesota. Brian Flores knows how to use players like this and maximizes their ability. It’s a big win to get a player at a position of need, and improve a pick by 37 spots on day three.
Grade: B+