PFF Pinpoints Major Vikings Concern
Pro Football Focus is already peeking ahead at the 2026 NFL Draft, when the Minnesota Vikings will possess a mostly full draft cabinet — unlike 2025 — plus two or three compensatory draft picks.
Pro Football Focus found the Vikings’ top concern for the long haul. Here’s what that site said and why it’s a fair point.
Outwardly, the Vikings don’t have oodles of long-term roster needs, but per PFF, one spot will need some love next April.
And that’s at safety.
What the Vikings Should Target in the 2026 Draft per PFF
With little mystery, the folks at Pro Football Focus believe the Vikings need a safety after this season.
Safety Is the Long-Term Need per PFF
PFF’s Trevor Sikkema sized one area from each NFL team that will need attention in 2026, and for Minnesota, safety got the nod.
“Safety room. Franchise legend Harrison Smith is back for another season, but the 36-year-old may not be far from retirement. Josh Metellus will start next to him, but he is entering the final year of his contract before void years. Metellus also earned just a 52.2 PFF coverage grade last season. One or both might need to be replaced for 2026,” Sikkema explained.
“The Vikings have 2023 draft pick Jay Ward, who showed promise with an 89th-ranked 63.0 PFF overall grade in 2024, but they could look to make a major splash through a very good 2026 safety class.”
For the most part, Sikkema’s observation is a fair concern.
Harrison Smith’s Last Hurrah
Camryn Bynum left the Vikings three months ago, and he’s not coming back, signing a $60 million contract over four years with the Indianapolis Colts.
Harrison Smith, meanwhile, opted to return for another season, easing the short-term pain at safety. He’s back in the saddle for Year No. 14.
But this campaign is probably Smith’s last, and indeed, Minnesota will need a replacement place — probably why PFF is on the case.
Theo Jackson Is the Hinge
Of course, Vikings life will be easier if Theo Jackson, who will take over for Bynum, plays like a legitimate starter in 2025. Minnesota is betting big on Jackson, while paying low, affording the unsung veteran safety a chance to break out this season.
Jackson has flashed in limited playing time through three seasons. Participating in over 1,000 defensive snaps over 17 games in a brand new ball of wax.
If Jackson is productive, the safety roster need slows to a whimper.
Good News? Safeties Are Easy to Find
Thankfully, and generally speaking, good safeties aren’t quite like left tackles, for example. Right now, Minnesota could sign Justin Simmons, Marcus Williams, or Julian Blackmon from free agency, and any safety fears would be dead.
It’s also more plausible to find starting safeties later in the draft, meaning a Round 1 pick in 2026 won’t be mandatory.
Safeties are important, but the position is not premium.
PFF on NFC North Rivals’ Concerns
For the Green Bay Packers’ long-term concern, Sikkema opined, “Long-term outlook at wide receiver. Jayden Reed and Matthew Golden are the Packers’ only two starting receivers who should confidently be part of the team’s plans in 2026. Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs are both unrestricted free agents next offseason, while Dontayvion Wicks is a restricted free agent (although his 18.0% drop rate last season gives Green Bay little reason to retain him if he doesn’t improve in 2025).”
“Even after spending a first-round pick on a receiver in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Packers could be on the hunt for one again in 2026.”
He also delivered one for the divisional-frontrunning Detroit Lions.
“Will Aidan Hutchinson get back to form? Look, it hurts to even type it out. Hutchinson has been on a tear as a pass rusher basically since his junior season at Michigan. Before his season-ending injury in 2024, he boasted an absurd 95.0 PFF pass-rush grade and 38.3% pass-rush win rate — both by far the top marks among edge defenders,” Sikkema wondered.
“All reports indicate that he’s good to go for 2025, but it is worth monitoring if he can quickly return to his elite form. The Lions have built their entire pass-rush plan around him, so the hope is that he can pick up where he left off last season.”
The Lions are expected to win the NFC North, according to oddsmakers, followed by the Packers, the Vikings, and the Bears in last place.
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