Vikings NFL Draft Preview: One edge rusher prospect Minnesota could target in each round
The Minnesota Vikings don’t currently have a heavy need at edge rusher, but that could change with a Jonathan Greenard trade. Luckily for Brian Flores, there are intriguing players in every round.
The defensive line has been really interesting for the Minnesota Vikings. Even though outside linebackers technically aren’t defensive linemen, they play a major role on the defensive front for Brian Flores.
The future of Jonathan Greenard is still very much in doubt. A trade has yet to materialize, despite the Vikings being willing to indulge his desire to seek an extension. If they end up trading him, edge rusher shoots up to the top of the list.
Even if they keep Greenard, it’s still a major need, as Andrew Van Ginkel is set to be a free agent after the 2026 season. Who could the Vikings target? There are a multitude of options available to them with different profiles.
First round: Keldric Faulk, Auburn
Faulk is a fascinating player. He was mainly an edge rusher for the Tigers, and he displayed a fascinating profile. At 6-6 and 275 pounds, Faulk proved to be an excellent run defender, but his pass rush aptitude didn’t take that next step in 2025. He has a career pressure percentage of 10.9%, which is extremely low. Even so, he is an elite run defender with a size profile to be versatile on the defensive front, which will be huge for Brian Flores.
Second round: Malachi Lawrence, UCF
If the Vikings do move on from Greenard, they will need to add an edge rusher earlier in the NFL Draft than they would have otherwise. The good news is they will likely have another second-round pick to play with. Lawrence is a really interesting player in multiple aspects. He can do the things that Greenard does with more explosiveness, running a 4.52 40-yard dash and jumping 40″ in the vertical jump. You are betting on him becoming more consistent and gaining a little bit more strength to reach his potential.
Third round: Jaishawn Barham, Michigan
Last year, Jalon Walker from the Georgia Bulldogs was the talk of that draft class due to his ability to play on and off the ball. It got him drafted 15th overall by the Atlanta Falcons. This year, Barham is that same kind of player, but a lot more raw. His athletic flashes are insanely explosive, but there is a lot of technique he needs to learn. With his versatility and explosive athleticism, Barham would be a fascinating fit for Brian Flores’ defense.
Fourth round: Tyreak Sapp, Florida
Sapp is an interesting player coming out. A fifth-year senior, he often played JACK as the top pass rusher for the Gators, but he has a really good power profile. At 272 pounds, Sapp powers through offensive linemen on the edge and inside, but he’s not a twitchy athlete. He could fill a rotational role for the Vikings and potentially be an interior force if he puts on some weight.
Fifth round: Caden Curry, Ohio State
Curry was a rotational player in his first three years before becoming a starter this past year. He didn’t just reward Ohio State for giving him a starting role. He rewarded them with a massively productive season with 16.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks. Breaking out as a fourth-year senior isn’t great for projecting forward into the NFL, plus his arm length is barely above 30″. However, there are interesting traits worth investing in as a day three player.
Sixth round: Nadame Tucker, Western Michigan
At the Senior Bowl, Tucker displayed a level of athleticism as a pass rusher that stood out among his peers. It helps that he was a sixth-year player, but 14.5 sacks is no joke. He’s a designated pass rusher who can bend the arc really well. The late breakout is a major concern, but the one year of major production is worth a shot late on day three.
Seventh round: George Gumbs Jr., Florida
Gumbs is one of my favorite players to take on day three in the entire draft. He started his career as a wide receiver at Northern Illinois before transitioning to tight end and then edge rusher. There is still a lot of growth potential with Gumbs due to only playing three years at the position. There is plenty of athleticism with Gumbs, along with flashes to keep you excited. Will he ever get there as a 23 year old? Who knows, but it’s worth a shot on day three.
