ESPN Sends More Beef to the Minnesota Vikings in 2026 NFL Mock Draft
With the Minnesota Vikings sitting at 4-6 on the season, playoff hopes are dwindling for 2025.
As a result, some have begun looking ahead to what the team can do to improve this roster heading into 2026.
After spending a big chunk of money in free agency this past spring, the 2026 NFL Draft will be the main way for the Vikings to bring in fresh blood next year. For now, the Vikings have eight draft picks to their name, including their own first-, second-, and third-round selections. More picks could be on the way in the form of compensatory picks as well.
Needless to say, this is a very important draft for the Vikings to fill holes on the roster, and in the latest mock draft from ESPN, the media giant is sending Minnesota some more beef to fill in on the defensive front.
More Beef for the Minnesota Vikings on the Defensive Line?
The mock draft was authored by Matt Miller this week. He has the Vikings picking 12th overall based on their current standing within the NFL.
Miller’s pick for the Vikings at that No. 12 spot is a defensive tackle out of Clemson: Peter Woods.
It’s an interesting selection based on Minnesota’s spending habits, bringing in both Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave in free agency. Here’s how Miller defends the selection, though:
“In 2025 mock drafts, the Vikings were a prime candidate to address defensive tackle early. They chose the free agent route instead withย Jonathan Allenย andย Javon Hargrave, but both players are on the wrong side of 30. So a need still remains. Woods, who was the preseason No. 1 player for some scouts, is a three-down threat at 6-3 and 315 pounds. His stat line isn’t a jaw-dropper, with 2.0 sacks and nine pressures, but he rarely loses a rep. In that way, he’s similar to Quinnen Williams coming out of Alabama — and he could develop similar skills as a 3-technique. The Vikings could also look at a safety to replace veteranย Harrison Smithย or an extra wide receiver to play in the slot, but getting the draft’s best defensive tackle here would be a steal.”
It’s fair to point out that both Allen and Hargrave are getting older and likely aren’t long-term solutions for the Vikings at the position. Allen is under contract through 2027 while Hargrave is signed through 2026.
Neither has been all too spectacular in 2025 either, combining for nine tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks this year.
On a positive note, the Vikings do have a budding star at defensive tackle in Jalen Redmond, who actually leads the team in sacks with four through the first 10 games.
Pairing Redmond with another young defensive tackle, who Miller compared to a young Quinnen Williams, could create a great duo on the interior of the line for years to come.
No matter what, this spring’s draft will be an interesting one for the Vikings. Especially if they have a pick in the upper half of the first round, they have a chance to go in a number of different directions.
If Jeremiyah Love starts falling down the board, do they pick up a potentially franchise-altering running back? Obviously, cornerback is a need with only three players at the position on the active roster right now. Then, there’s safety with Harrison Smith likely retiring after his age-36 season.
Defensive tackle might not be the biggest immediate need right now, but it could help the Vikings fortify the position for the years to come.
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