The Vikings Have Some Seriously Strange Draft Droughts
Every team has them, but it’s time to analyze the Minnesota Vikings’ current draft droughts and oddities. In doing so, some clues may dribble out about the team’s plans on April 23rd, when the draft kicks off.
Minnesota has some unusual draft habits that could matter this month.
Interim general manager Rob Brzezinski will take on his first draft as the top guy, and these are some of the things that just haven’t happened in a while for the purple team.
The Long-Running Draft Patterns Following the Vikings
Picks and habits that have eluded Minnesota.
No TE Ever Taken in Round 1
Minnesota has drafted a few 2nd-Round tight ends in 65 years, but they’ve never taken the plunge in Round 1.
This time, they might have a chance at ending the drought, as Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq has a 50/50 chance of being on the board at Pick No. 18. Choosing Sadiq would make sense after Minnesota reworked T.J. Hockenson’s deal this offseason, enabling him to hit free agency next offseason.
No WR in Round 2 in 19 Years
Sidney Rice — he’s the last WR discovered by the Vikings in Round 2 way back in 2007. Minnesota usually just connects on 1st-Round wideouts or finds them in late rounds like Stefon Diggs in 2015 or undrafted free agency like Adam Thielen in 2013.
This year, a man like Alabama’s Germie Bernard could end the madness.
No Center in Round 2 in 47 Years
The Vikings drafted Dave Huffman in Round 2 of the 1979 NFL Draft. He didn’t last long. Since then, Minnesota has said no thanks to 2nd-Round centers.
In 2026, they could “reach” a bit for a player like Connor Lew of Auburn.
No DT Drafted in Round 1 since 2013
Remember Sharrif Floyd? The guy whose career started somewhat promising but flamed out because of injury? He was the last defensive tackle picked in Round 1 by the purple team.
In 12 days, the drought could end with Clemson’s Peter Woods or Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald.
Just One EDGE in Round 1 in Last 20 Years
In 2005, the Vikings drafted Erasmus James in Round 1 — and then stopped investing such capital in EDGE defenders. They preferred the comfort of trades — see: Jared Allen — and the middle rounds for players like Everson Griffen and Danielle Hunter.
Keldric Faulk (Auburn) and Akheem Mesidor (Miami) are in play at No. 18 in 2026.
Just One Safety in Round 2 in Last 30 Years
Like the center position, the Vikings also don’t draft safeties in Round 2. The only guy in the last three decades was Tyrell Johnson from Arkansas State in 2008.
On April 24th, Minnesota could change this tendency by picking LSU’s A.J. Haulcy or hoping Dillon Thieneman (Oregon) or Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (Toledo) fall after a Vikings trade back.
No RBs Drafted in First 4 Rounds in 5 Years
Since Dalvin Cook left the franchise after the 2022 campaign, Minnesota has opted for veteran RB fixes, including Alexander Mattison, Aaron Jones, and Jordan Mason. They had no young running back to take the baton.
This is a very strange drought because it’s not difficult to find RB talent anywhere in the draft. Thankfully, Minnesota has done its homework so far in this draft cycle, having officially met with Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson and Wake Forest’s Demond Claiborne.
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert noted on the RB need this week, “Jordan Mason, 26, and Aaron Jones, 31, are entering the final year of their contracts, and the Vikings explored moving on from Jones this spring when they bid for free agent Travis Etienne Jr. After the New Orleans Saints signed Etienne, Jones agreed to take a pay cut to return.”
“There might not be an immediate need for a running back, but it is coming soon. The 2026 class of running backs is not deep enough to feel assured that Brzezinski will have a value pick available to him in the top 100. The class offers one dominant, explosive playmaker who almost certainly will be a top-10 pick — Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love — and then a notable drop-off.”
Last year’s draft was renowned for running back depth, but Minnesota drafted zilch.
Seifert added, “At least two others appear likely to be top-100 picks: Love’s Notre Dame teammate Jadarian Price and Arkansas’ Mike Washington Jr. In a recent three-round mock draft conducted by ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., Matt Miller and Jordan Reid, Kiper matched the Vikings with Price with the No. 49 pick.”
Just One WR in Rounds 2 & 3 in Last 18 Years
Remember the Tai Felton pick in Round 3 last year? That was the first time in about two decades that Minnesota chose a wideout in Rounds 2 or 3 — basically a Friday night.
This year, Minnesota is meeting with gobs of pass-catchers who might be taken in Rounds 2 and 3. This drought feels like it’s nearing an end.
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