Oddsmakers Lean into Prediction for Vikings’ First Draft Pick
The Minnesota Vikings fired general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah on January 30th after four years with the franchise, casting the franchise’s path in the 2026 NFL Draft into doubt. Folks could predict Adofo-Mensah’s decisions, to an extent, because of his track record, but now that’s out the window. And according to sportsbooks, when Minnesota steps up to the podium at Pick No. 18 on April 23rd, the selection will most likely be a defensive lineman, either an EDGE or defensive tackle.
Minnesota’s Jonathan Greenard question may be shaping the board more than expected.
Thankfully, the draft is just five weeks away, so fans won’t have to wait much longer for a verdict.
Vegas Things DL Feels Like the Cleanest Round 1 Bet for Vikings
The signs evidently point to an EDGE or DT for Minnesota in Round 1.
The Odds
Per oddsmakers, these are the likeliest positions to be targeted by Minnesota with its first pick:
- Defensive Line/EDGE: +190
- Safety: +230
- Offensive Lineman: +320
- Cornerback: +475
- Running Back: +1300
- Tight End: +1500
- Wide Receiver: +1600
- Linebacker: +1800
- Quarterback: +5000
- Kicker/Punter/Long Snapper: +20000
For months, cornerback has been the mock-draft frontrunner, including players like Mansoor Delane (LSU), Jermod McCoy (Tennessee), and Avieon Terrell (Clemson), but if sportsbooks have it right, that theory is merely media-driven.
Who at DT?
Minnesota offloaded Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave last week, the two main veteran defensive tackles, in addition to Jalen Redmond, who remains gainfully employed. The team also has second-year interior defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins in the roster orbit, as well as 2024 draftee Levi Drake Rodriguez.
But with Allen and Hargrave gone, defensive tackle may indeed be the draft choice on April 23rd. If the Vikings stick and pick at No. 18 or trade down to accrue more picks, the DT options look like this:
- Caleb Banks (Florida)
- Lee Hunter (Texas Tech)
- Kayden McDonald (Ohio State)
- Christen Miller (Georgia)
- Peter Woods (Clemson)
Of that bunch, assuming the Vikings don’t trade back, Banks and Woods represent the most likely draft picks considering their current mid-to-late Round 1 draft stock.
Fox Sports‘ Henry McKenna mock-drafted Woods from Clemson to Minnesota recently and noted, “Banks was a monster during the combine — one of the many elite athletes who absolutely showed out during drills and measurements. He would be a real nightmare in the middle of the Minnesota defense, which already boasts elite talents on the edge.”
About that EDGE Idea …
The Vegas odds also don’t rule out an outside linebacker. Ironically, EDGE is the deepest position on the Vikings’ roster in mid-March, with Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Dallas Turner ready to wreak havoc on quarterbacks in September.
Yet, the rumor mill suggests that Greenard could be traded. The guaranteed money in his contract has run out, and because men like Micah Parsons are earning $47 million per season compared to Greenard’s $19 million, Greenard wants a raise. He could realistically ask for about $35 millon and call it fair market value.
So, if Greenard is traded to a team like the Philadelphia Eagles or Indianapolis Colts, two franchises hot and heavy in the Greenard rumor mill, well — you guessed it — Minnesota will need another EDGE defender.
Pretending Greenard is shipped elsewhere for a 2nd-Round pick or so, the Vikings’ OLB options at No. 18 or near the end of Round 1 would look like this:
- Keldric Faulk (Auburn)
- Cashius Howell (Texas A&M)
- Akheem Mesidor (Miami, FL)
- T.J. Parker (Clemson)
- R. Mason Thomas (Oklahoma)
- Zion Young (Missouri)
Vikings fans haven’t spent much time contemplating a Round 1 EDGE, as Minnesota has Greenard, Van Ginkel, and Turner on the roster. A Greenard trade could make it a reality.
The Rest of the Contenders
If the Vikings’ selection is not a DT or OLB, these are the most likely candidates to turn purple on draft night:
- C.J. Allen (LB, Georgia)
- Denzel Boston (WR, Washington)
- KC Concepcion (WR, Texas A&M)
- Mansoor Delane (CB, LSU)
- Monroe Freeling (OT, Georgia)
- Makai Lemon (WR, USC)
- Caleb Lomu (OT, Utah)
- Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S, Toledo)
- Jermod McCoy (CB, Tennessee)
- Kadyn Proctor (OT, Alabama)
- Kenyon Sadiq (TE, Oregon)
- Dillon Thieneman (S, Oregon)
- Avieon Terrell (CB, Clemson)
- Jordyn Tyson (WR, Arizona State)
It’s worth noting that if Minnesota rolls with an offensive tackle in Round 1, it might signal that something is majorly wrong with Christian Darrisaw’s ACL situation — or that Brian O’Neill won’t be around much longer.
The mock draft community believes Minnesota will end up with a safety like Thieneman or a cornerback like Terrell.
The NFL Draft is 35 days away.
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