NFL Draft analysts continue projecting one player to the Vikings, while Kevin O’Connell’s offense is linked to multiple weapons
Minnesota Vikings mock draft tracker shows that wide receiver may be a bigger need than initially expected.
The Minnesota Vikings are quite an interesting team when it comes to the NFL Draft.
Last week, they answered one of their biggest questions by extending defensive coordinator Brian Flores. His return is nearly 100 percent after Mike McCarthy was hired by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now, the shift goes to what will happen at quarterback with starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
As we enter Senior Bowl week, we will learn more about general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah‘s offseason plans and draft prospects. We saw four new faces added to the mock draft tracker, as analysts continue to make Clemson Tigers quarterback Avieon Terrell a focus, while wide receivers are getting significant attention.
Minnesota Vikings NFL mock draft tracker
Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
“The Vikings need to go for a big, strong physical threat at the receiver to draw some attention away from Justin Jefferson on the outside, and Boston can do that with his toughness to catch balls in tight coverage.” – Iyer
Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
- A to Z Sports’ Tyler Forness
- A to Z Sports’ AJ Schulte
- Sun Sentinel’s C.J. Doon
- Fantasy Pros’ Richard Janvrin
- Fantasy Life’s Matthew Freedman
- Draft Wire’s Curt Popejoy
- USA Today’s Ayrton Ostly
- Pro Football Network’s T.J. Randall
- Fantasy Pros’ Staff
- A to Z Sports’ Staff
“There is real uncertainty with the Vikings’ defense, as Brian Flores has yet to decide if he will return to the Vikings. If he doesn’t, the scheme could change, which will make cornerback a dire priority. Terrell is my CB1 right now with his ability to play inside and out, along with an aggressive mentality.” – Forness
Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
“This is likely the absolute earliest Chris Johnson will go. A lot depends on how he tests at the NFL Combine, but Johnson is certainly going to impress throughout the draft process. He played against lower-level competition, but he allowed an impossible 16.1 passer rating when targeted, picked off four passes, and defended a half dozen more in 2025 alone. Vikings get a wildcard first-round pick with insane upside.” – A to Z Sports’ staff
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
“Tyson could easily go top 10 or 15 in this draft, depending on how badly teams want a receiver. While it might seem like a surprise for the Vikings to draft him, Jordan Addison is on the last year of his deal and will likely command a big contract given his production as the second option over the past three seasons.
“Tyson is a big-bodied receiver at 6-2, 200 pounds, and he catches everything thrown at him. In two seasons with ASU, he’s caught 136 balls for 1,812 yards and a whopping 18 touchdowns.” – Fox Sports’ Staff
Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
“Affording the secondary with a higher degree of flexibility might not seem like a pressing problem in Minnesota, but figuring out the right configuration is an important step to ensure the unit can operate in top form. Cisse’s outstanding athleticism and quick-fire ability to close in on the ball would be put to immediate use by Brian Flores – so long as the defensive coordinator doesn’t land a top job elsewhere.” – Middlehurst-Schwartz
Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
“Seeing so many of the top CBs already off the board here isn’t ideal for the Vikings. DT is another need the team should address, though, and Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald is going to be an excellent pro who would improve Minnesota’s run defense immediately.” – Adams
Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
“There’s a good chance the Vikings could cut T.J. Hockenson this offseason. Hockenson has dealt with injury issues recently and hasn’t really shown much chemistry with J.J. McCarthy. The move would save Minnesota nearly $9 million in cap space before June 1 and $16 million if it’s designated after June 1. Sadiq isn’t in the same class as Brock Bowers or Tyler Warren as a prospect, but he’s an impressive athlete who has showcased downfield playmaking ability and has legit upside as a run-blocker in the pros.” – Brown
Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
“Delane would bring top-end ball skills and some really good coverage technique to Minnesota. The Vikings redid their cornerback room in 2025 free agency, but they still have depth problems behind Byron Murphy Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers. Plus, Minnesota managed just eight interceptions this season (tied for the sixth fewest). Well, over the past two campaigns, Delane has six picks and 18 pass breakups. That’s impact production, and coordinator Brian Flores would love to get a player such as Delane into his unit.” – Kiper Jr.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
“The Vikings had one of the league’s best defensive units in 2025, but they likely lost a franchise legend in Harrison Smith, who anchored the backend of their secondary for 14 years. Former Toledo Rocket Quinyon Mitchell was selected 22nd overall by the Eagles in 2024 and named a 2025 first-team all-pro, proving that a first-round pick on a defender from the MAC isn’t as outlandish as it sounds.
“McNeil-Warren is an explosive, twitchy athlete with long-range speed, strong instincts, and a physical style of play. He’s a strong tackler, can powerfully set the edge as a rusher, runs and rallies to the football, and is an absolute ball hawk. After McNeil-Warren puts on a show at the combine, expect his stock to rise quickly.” – Decker
Olaivavega Ioane, IOL, Penn State
“This “competitive rebuild” concept Minnesota is operating under is neither allowing them to compete or rebuild. Their late season win streak sank their draft position to the point where they’re picking just one spot above the Panthers, who won the NFC South.
“The core issue with this draft purgatory when it comes to 2026 is that it pushed the Vikings out of a position to get a difference-making defensive back. This is a team that really could have used someone like Caleb Downs or any of the number of good corners, but instead they’ll need to settle for interior offensive line if they want to work as best player available.” – SB Nation’s Staff
Vikings NFL mock draft overview
This week, there were a whopping 21 mock drafts, notching a total of 71 thus far. Of those picks, we have 19 players, six of whom play cornerback, and they have accounted for 47 selections (66.2 percent).
| Player | Selection |
| CB Avieon Terrell | 30 |
| CB Mansoor Delane | 8 |
| RB Jeremiyah Love | 5 |
| CB Jermod McCoy | 5 |
| DT Caleb Banks | 3 |
| TE Kenyon Sadiq | 3 |
| DT A’Mauri Washington | 2 |
| CB Brandon Cisse | 2 |
| DT Kayden McDonald | 2 |
| WR Denzel Boston | 2 |
| LB C.J. Allen | 1 |
| CB Colton Hood | 1 |
| DT Peter Woods | 1 |
| WR Carnell Tate | 1 |
| WR Makai Lemon | 1 |
| CB Chris Johnson | 1 |
| WR Jordyn Tyson | 1 |
| S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren | 1 |
| OG Olaivavega Ioane | 1 |
| Total | 71 |
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