New Intel Suggests Vikings Have 2 Early Draft Priorities
The Minnesota Vikings are slotted to pick 18th overall in April’s draft. While the three-day event is always a guessing game, early buzz suggests the front office may already have a plan.
Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports reported this week, “While most believe the Minnesota Vikings will take a cornerback with their pick in the first round, contrary to many mock drafts around the internet, people I’ve spoken with at the Senior Bowl tell me they believe that defensive coordinator Brian Flores will push for a pass rusher with the 18th pick if a top-rated prospect falls into their laps.”
The recent Draft history at the cornerback position has been abysmal, and it led to a group that’s pretty much free agent signings Byron Murphy and Isaiah Rodgers at this point. That’s why cornerback has been a popular projection in mock drafts for years.
The Vikings already boast a strong pass rush, but if Brian Flores wants more depth up front, edge rusher quickly becomes a logical priority.
Pauline added, “Even though the Vikings’ defense fielded one of the better pass rushes in the league last season, 30-year-old Andrew Van Ginkel is in the final year of his contract, and Flores wants quantity at the position, believing a good pass rush covers deficiencies in the secondary.”
Flores has worked wonders with the patchwork cornerback group in 2025. Behind the two starters, he had to rely on veterans Fabian Moreau and Jeff Okudah. Even safety Jay Ward got some run at cornerback. The number of coaches that could get away with that cornerback group is certainly limited.
The logic is simple: If a quarterback has to get rid of the ball quickly, the cornerbacks don’t have to cover as long. Pretty much every quarterback not named Justin Herbert and Jalen Hurts struggled in the past campaign against his blitz-happy defense.
Dallas Turner, who has yet to turn 23, seems to be the future of the edge defenders in the Twin Cities. He showed massive improvement in the second half of the season, becoming a serious threat to opposing passers.
Of course, the Vikings still employ 2024 Pro Bowlers Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard. They are not getting any younger, however. Furthermore, the depth behind the trio is mostly special-teams contributors. Adding another young piece to the edge rotation makes sense. Whether that happens at No. 18 remains the big question.
Pauline also reported another possibility. A tight end could be on Minnesota’s shopping list in the later rounds.
“Keep this in the back of your mind when the third day of the 2026 NFL Draft starts; the Vikings have been scouting tight ends heavily here at the Senior Bowl. I get the sense they will consider drafting a blocking tight end in the later rounds. It’s still early, but remember the names Will Kacmarek of Ohio State and Nate Boerkircher of Texas A&M University.”
The tight end position has been headlined by T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver for the past three seasons. Hockenson hasn’t been nearly as productive as his contract requires and could be a cap casualty this offseason. Oliver has been a phenomenal blocker, but his receiving upside is limited.
Even if the duo remains, another blocking tight end could help the Vikings take another step in the ground game. In 2025, the TE3 position was filled by rookie Ben Yurosek, waiver claim Ben Sims, and veteran Nick Vannett. Sixth-round pick Gavin Bartholomew missed the entire season on IR with a back injury.
Edge early. Tight end late. If this report holds up, the Vikings’ draft strategy may already be written — and it starts in the trenches.
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