NFL 2026 Draft Review: Minnesota Vikings

Although the Minnesota Vikings had issues at quarterback all season long, they still ended up with a winning record at 9-8. It's amazing that Minnesota only missed the playoffs by a 1/2 a game when the Vikings QB's threw more interceptions than touchdowns (18 TD, 21 INT).

The QB situation was so bad that the Vikings fired GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah because he refused to give former Minnesota QB Sam Darnold a new contract. Then, the whole world watched Darnold win the Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks.

Minnesota is claiming to have solved their QB problem by signing Kyler Murray to a contract. However, Murray has only one winning season throughout his entire career.

Nevertheless, the Vikings had 9 picks in this year's NFL Draft in order to focus on other positions.

Round 1, Pick 18: Caleb Banks - DT - Florida. 6'6", 327 lbs (6 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 fumble recovery).

Banks only played 3 games last season due to injury, but the Vikings are banking (pun intended) on him to get back to his 2025 form when he had 7 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. If he is healthy, then he will open up lanes for outside edge rushers to get to the quarterback.

Round 2, Pick 19: Jake Golday - LB - Cincinnati. 6'4", 239 lbs (105 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 3 pass deflections, 1 forced fumble).

Golday is an effective linebacker that is solid against the run and the pass. He should see playing time at inside linebacker.

Round 3, Pick 18: Domonique Orange - DT - Iowa State. 6'2", 322 lbs (18 tackles, .5 tackles for loss, 1 pass deflection).

Orange will see some time at nose tackle on running downs.

Round 3, Pick 33: Caleb Tiernan - OT - Northwestern. 6'8", 323 lbs.

Tiernan will add depth on the offensive line for Minnesota.

Round 3, Pick 34: Jakobe Thomas - S - Miami (FL). 6'1", 211 lbs (76 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 5 INT, 1 INT ret TD, 6 pass deflections, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries).

Thomas will see some time at strong safety because he is capable of making big plays on defense.

Round 5, Pick 19: Max Bredeson - TE - Michigan. 6'2", 252 lbs (11 rec yds).

Bredeson's bread and butter is blocking. He was a starting H-back TE for Michigan over the past four seasons. He will be competing to start at fullback for the Vikings.

Round 5, Pick 23: Charles Demmings - CB - Stephen F. Austin. 6'1", 193 lbs (18 tackles, 4 INT, 5 pass deflections).

Demmings has the size to defend against taller receivers. He was able to make game-changing plays for the Lumberjacks. He could see some time in the secondary for the Vikings.

Round 6, Pick 17: Demond Claiborne - RB - Wake Forest. 5'10", 188 lbs (179 rush, 907 yds, 5.1 yds/rush, 10 TD, 140 rec yds, 18 return yds).

Claiborne should make an impact as a 3rd down/change-of-pace running back due to his speed after running a 4.37 40 at the NFL Combine. He could also see time as a returner after returning 2 kicks for touchdowns during his college career.

Round 7, Pick 19: Gavin Gerhardt - C - Cincinnati. 6'4", 318 lbs.

Gerhardt will add depth to the interior offensive line for the Vikings.

Overview: From an overall perspective, the depth that Minnesota will help bolster the roster throughout the season. Banks is a risky pick because he has missed time during three seasons in college. The organization just let a GM go because of making risky picks, but then turn around and make another risky pick. Grade: D+.

Although the grade is low, Thomas and Claiborne will be impactful.