One Specific Vikings Draft Outcome Feels Certain
Normally, when entering the NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings have a couple of primary needs, with the outcome pretty easy to predict. In 2026, the script is different: the club has several underlying eventual needs, and there’s no clear indication of how interim general manager Rob Brzezinski will break in Round 1, aside from the fact that a defensive player is a heavy favorite. But after Round 1, one specific outcome feels certain for Minnesota: the club will invest in a rookie center sometime between Round 2 and 6.
Center Makes Too Much Sense for Minnesota
The center from last year, Ryan Kelly, retired in March, and Blake Brandel, a jack-of-all-trades lineman, is tentatively in line to take on the starter’s job. Yet, that may be in a “bridge” capacity.
Center Makes Too Much Sense for Minnesota
It’s a safe bet to assume a center is on the way for Minnesota.
Enthusiasm for Brandel, but Is That Lip Service?
At the NFL’s league meetings last week, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said he would “have Brandel more than likely at that center spot” this summer at training camp, adding, “Ultimately, we want to do what’s best for Blake to ascend and reach his highest potential at one position, or have the flexibility still to play multiple.”
That’s basically what coaches and general managers say when asked about a roster position that could be addressed in the draft. O’Connell could not in good faith say, “We have nobody.”
Therefore, in a pinch, Brandel can start, but the word salad points in the direction of a new center.
“I do think that’s a position that’s got some really unique names in the draft,” O’Connell said about the rookie center options at the end of the month.
Round 2 to 4 Center Options
Here’s the deal: there is no center on the draftboard in Round 1. In one way, that’s good for the Vikings: most draft heads don’t recommend picking a center in Round 1 unless the man is a generational talent, a guaranteed All-Pro.
But after the 1st Round, the plot thickens. Per the draft community, four main centers could tickle Minnesota’s fancy between Rounds 2 and 4, where the Vikings have three picks (49, 82, 97). These are those players:
- Connor Lew (Auburn)
- Sam Hecht (Kansas State)
- Logan Jones (Iowa)
- Jake Slaughter (Florida)
Jones has captured the hearts of some Vikings fans because of Midwest familiarity.
The scouting report on Jones, according to NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein: “Undersized but highly experienced with NFL-ready technique. Jones has a dense frame and short limbs. He has impressive initial quickness and stays firm inside the framework with his hands while his feet rarely stop pressing forward. Long nose tackles with quick hands are his kryptonite at the point of attack.”
“Iowa’s scheme limited his true pass-set count, so proving he can anchor and play with gap range will be essential. He’s operational in gap schemes but better in zone, where his athleticism mitigates his lack of length. Jones’ age, traits and center-only value could limit his suitor count, but he has the polish to help early with the right fit.”
Most fans wouldn’t be too upset with Lew, Hecht, or Slaughter, either.
Round 5 to 7
If the Vikings can’t find in their draft weekend to get a center early, about three decent prospects live in Round 5 through 7:
- Parker Brailsford (Alabama)
- Beau Stephens (Iowa)
- Pat Coogan (Indiana)
Coogan gained notoriety in January when his Hoosiers won the National Championship. NFL Draft Buzz on Coogan: “Centers with this kind of processing, technique, and pass protection ability have a way of finding starting jobs regardless of where they get drafted. Coogan has started 41 games across two Power 4 programs, called protections in a national championship game, and improved his grades every single season.”
“He will earn trust quickly in a meeting room because he knows his assignments, communicates clearly, and plays with discipline. In the right gap or power-heavy scheme, there is genuine starting potential here. He is the kind of interior lineman who may not test his way into a roster spot but will absolutely play his way into one.”
Unlike Jones, Coogan is not undersized: he’s 6’5″ and 315 pounds.
The Only Roster Position with Zero Starters
Pound for pound — some may not agree — the Vikings have starters or prospective starters at all positions, even in early April. Center is the lone exception.
Brandel will turn 30 next January, and there’s just not much precedent for a guy to switch to center in his late-20s. Could Brandel defy history? Of course. Is that likely — to the tune of turning into a quality center for the next few years? Probably not.
Minnesota must walk away with a center prospect for the future in two weeks, and all signs point in that direction.
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