Who the Vikings May Draft in 2026 if They Follow Last Year’s Drill
In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings selected Ohio State guard Donovan Jackson, who mostly worked out as a rookie. At the time, many considered him a slight “reach” on the draftboard, and here’s a look at who’s in play if the Vikings follow the same pattern.
Last year’s Jackson template may offer a clue about Minnesota’s next first-round swing.
The Vikings have nine picks in the bucket this year, compared to last year’s five at this time.
A Familiar Draft Reach Could Be in Play for Minnesota
What’s your preference for the Vikings’ draft pick?
Jackson at No. 39 on the CBB Last Year
Minnesota held the 24th pick heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, and they picked a man ranked at No. 39 on the Consensus Big Board. After-the-fact reporting claimed the Houston Texans would’ve chosen Jackson at No. 25 — he’s from Houston, so there was a hometown angle — and the Texans needed interior offensive line help.
The Vikings basically proved that they’re comfortable whisking public-facing draftboards to the side in the interest of getting their man. For example, per the draft community, Minnesota might’ve been able to trade down and still get Jackson, though the public didn’t know about the Texans-Jackson stipulation.
This was the Consensus Big Board last year, men ranked from 24 to 40:
- Kenneth Grant (DL, Michigan)
- Grey Zabel (iOL, North Dakota State)
- Josh Simmons (OT, Ohio State)
- Derrick Harmon (DL, Oregon)
- Tyler Booker (iOL, Alabama)
- Donovan Ezeiruaku (EDGE, Boston College)
- Nick Emmanwori (S, South Carolina)
- Emeka Egbuka (WR, Ohio State)
- James Pearce Jr. (EDGE, Tennessee)
- Jaxson Dart (QB, Mississippi)
- Maxwell Hairston (CB, Kentucky)
- Josh Conerly Jr. (OT, Oregon)
- Luther Burden (WR, Missouri)
- TreVeyon Henderson (RB, Ohio State)
- Trey Amos (CB, Mississippi)
- Donovan Jackson (iOL, Ohio State)
- Jalen Milroe (QB, Alabama)
Jackson climbed 15 spots when it was all said and done.
The Same Territory … This Year
Now, pretend the same situation arises — the Vikings swipe a player somewhat far removed from their organic draft pick.
That list would look like this in 2026 speak:
- Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S, Toledo)
- Omar Cooper Jr. (WR, Indiana)
- C.J. Allen (LB, Georgia)
- T.J. Parker (EDGE, Clemson)
- Denzel Boston (WR, Washington)
- Kevin Concepcion (WR, Texas A&M)
- Caleb Banks (DL, Florida)
- Kayden McDonald (DL, Ohio State)
- Cashius Howell (EDGE, Texas A&M)
- Colton Hood (CB, Tennessee)
- Zion Young (EDGE, Missouri)
- Brandon Cisse (CB, South Carolina)
- Lee Hunter (DL, Texas Tech)
- Chris Johnson (CB, San Diego State)
- Jacob Rodriguez (LB, Texas Tech)
The translation? These are rookies who seem like a reach right now. Or might fit this lingo: “I like him, but the Vikings can trade down and still get him.” That was Jackson at this time last year, and he ultimately became a Viking at pick No. 25.
Who Makes the Most Sense?
Minnesota has more than one long-term roster need right now because of former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s nauserating drafting habits. But from the list above, the players who might propel the Vikings to “reach” can be reasonably narrowed to this:
- Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S, Toledo)
- Caleb Banks (DL, Florida)
- Kayden McDonald (DL, Ohio State)
- Colton Hood (CB, Tennessee)
- Brandon Cisse (CB, South Carolina)
- Lee Hunter (DL, Texas Tech)
Interim boss general manager Rob Brzezinski would basically see one of those names and fear that another team would swipe him, and with Minnesota’s draft board not necessarily aligning with the CBB, he could pounce.
Yahoo Sports‘ Nate Tice mock-drafted McDonald to Minnesota at No. 18 this week and explained, “There are a couple of interesting safety options, they could look to find the T.J. Hockenson replacement in Kenyon Sadiq, or they could add some tangible beef to their defensive line. Brian Flores is going to scheme pressures and big plays for his defense, but the Vikings could use someone to eat up blocks to let teammates fly to the football.”
“McDonald isn’t the sexiest prospect, but his ability to hold up against the run is his calling card, while also having light enough feet to be used on the twists and stunts that Flores loves so much. McDonald is basically the defensive version of the line of thinking that led to the Donovan Jackson selection last year at offensive guard: a tangible trench talent who can let the creative coaches be creative.”
The Favorites Otherwise
Back to reality, if the Vikings do not follow last year’s pattern, these are arguably the frontrunners to join the club with the 18th overall pick:
- Jermod McCoy (CB, Tennessee)
- Kenyon Sadiq (TE, Oregon)
- Avieon Terrell (CB, Clemson)
- Dillon Thieneman (S, Oregon)
- Peter Woods (DT, Clemson)
In the last two weeks, since the NFL Combine, Thieneman has morphed into the Vikings’ almighty mock-draft darling.
The NFL draft is 30 days away.
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