Draft Order

supafreak84 wrote:
If anybody cares...Vikings currently have the 14th pick.

Kind of a "big meh payoff" relative to the fan angst...Id like to go higher if we're going to suck or be a middling team - which I think is where we'll net.

The draft is just a hold my breath now regardless of where they pick.  

For the records:
2023: Pittsburgh Steelers, T – Broderick Jones, Georgia
2022: Baltimore Ravens, S – Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame
2021: New York Jets, G – Alijah Vera-Tucker, Southern California
2020: San Francisco 49ers, DT – Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina
2019: Atlanta Falcons, G – Chris Lindstrom, Boston College
2018: New Orleans Saints, DE – Marcus Davenport, UTSA
2017: Philadelphia Eagles, DE – Derek Barnett, Tennessee
2016: Las Vegas Raiders, DB – Karl Joseph, West Virginia
2015: Miami Dolphins, WR – DeVante Parker, Louisville
2014: Chicago Bears, DB – Kyle Fuller, Virginia Tech

purplefaithful wrote:

Kind of a "big meh payoff" relative to the fan angst...Id like to go higher if we're going to suck or be a middling team - which I think is where we'll net.

The draft is just a hold my breath now regardless of where they pick.  

For the records:
2023: Pittsburgh Steelers, T – Broderick Jones, Georgia
2022: Baltimore Ravens, S – Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame
2021: New York Jets, G – Alijah Vera-Tucker, Southern California
2020: San Francisco 49ers, DT – Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina
2019: Atlanta Falcons, G – Chris Lindstrom, Boston College
2018: New Orleans Saints, DE – Marcus Davenport, UTSA
2017: Philadelphia Eagles, DE – Derek Barnett, Tennessee
2016: Las Vegas Raiders, DB – Karl Joseph, West Virginia
2015: Miami Dolphins, WR – DeVante Parker, Louisville
2014: Chicago Bears, DB – Kyle Fuller, Virginia Tech

We won't land in the top 10, it's just not the Viking way. Always just good enough. Will likely end up with our standard 12 to 18 range type pick. How terrible does it feel going into a draft where you just can't trust the GM to make a wise decision? I wouldn't trust Kwesi/Grigson to bag my groceries.

So draft is tomorrow, Vikings pick 14th. Who do you take? I don't want a name, way too early for that. Just the position.

MaroonBells wrote:
So draft is tomorrow, Vikings pick 14th. Who do you take? I don't want a name, way too early for that. Just the position.

I think you go defense, unless by some miracle Jeremiah Love is still sitting there, or as has been discussed here, you grab the Oregon TE to help out McCarthy because Hock looks like toast. Lots of different directions we could go because we've been so piss poor at filling needs or adding quality depth through the draft.

I think we are going to need to completely rebuild the secondary this off season, Murphy is the only decent CB on the roster, Smith most likely will retire and I think we have seen Metellus is not a true safety. Like SF, I also do not think it really matters unless we overhaul who is in charge of the draft.

A premier NT would go a long way. CB/S have to be in the mix.

On offense C and TE should be considered. Maybe RB if a premium back is at our spot.

That said, I think its still too early for this conversation as we'll likely learn a lot more as JJM settles in. I wouldn't be surprised if Hock shows up down the stretch.l, not that I'd count on it though.

RB is the only thing that makes sense to me on the offensive side, but I think I'd probably take two or three defensive positions before that. I'd probably rank them like this. 

1. ILB
2. CB
3. S
4. RB

MaroonBells wrote:
RB is the only thing that makes sense to me on the offensive side, but I think I'd probably take two or three defensive positions before that. I'd probably rank them like this. 

1. ILB
2. CB
3. S
4. RB

I think TE is in the conversation. Oliver gives you basically nothing as a receiver and having him in the game is a tell on if we are going to run or pass based on percentages (and other teams know that). Hockensons contract balloons to 21 million dollars next year and 23 million in 2027. We have an out on his contract this offseason that will save us almost 9 million in cap space with a 12 million dead money hit. His production hasn't been the same since injury and there's nothing in the position room behind him. I think you try to renegotiate the contract, but if he declines, I think releasing him becomes a real possibility.

supafreak84 wrote:

I think TE is in the conversation. Oliver gives you basically nothing as a receiver and having him in the game is a tell on if we are going to run or pass based on percentages (and other teams know that). Hockensons contract balloons to 21 million dollars next year and 23 million in 2027. We have an out on his contract this offseason that will save us almost 9 million in cap space with a 12 million dead money hit. His production hasn't been the same since injury and there's nothing in the position room behind him. I think you try to renegotiate the contract, but if he declines, I think releasing him becomes a real possibility.

I can see the need for TE, and I agree that Hockenson's time in Minnesota could be ending soon. But if we draft a TE in the 1st round I'm getting out my pitchfork.

I would rank ILB highly as well, Pace is done as a starter imo..

That or IDL cause I think Hargrave is gone, maybe the guy we signed from Commanders too..Both are too much $$, showing their age and dont flash enough. I think we could address either (or both of these) and still address S and DB.

Overall? D first and I am pounding the table for a rb as well. If Love is within striking distance? I would consider that move early if the compensation isnt dumb.

Biggest need, all things equal- CB

For the right player- LB, S

1. Stud ILB
2. CB
3. RB/S
4. S/RB

Canthony wrote:
1. Stud ILB 2. CB 3. RB/S 4. S/RB

It's likely that Hock is a cap casualty, so add TE to that list somewhere. Unless we intend to roll with Oliver, Yurosek & Bartholomew.

Canthony wrote:
1. Stud ILB 2. CB 3. RB/S 4. S/RB

Knucklehead wrote:

It's likely that Hock is a cap casualty, so add TE to that list somewhere. Unless we intend to roll with Oliver, Yurosek & Bartholomew.

Nobody is talking IDL?

I think its very likely Hargrave is gone and maybe Allen too. There's a chance they may have to keep Allen 1 more season due to cap issues with him

May as well put this here since it's related-

Top 25 Potential Free Agents in 2026 (ESPN)

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/46929670/2026-nfl-free-agent-ranking-top-25-predictions-buzz-hendrickson-jones-pickens

To be honest, the list isn't very inspiring to me. I'm not super familiar with some of the DBs, but I assume the team will be trying to add at least one of them.

Breece Hall would be awesome but will be expensive and is probably more of a short-term solution than the team will be looking for at RB.

The tight ends on this list-- Isaiah Likely and Kyle Pitts-- have both been underachievers for their teams, and are both in line to get a nice raise somewhere. Tight End looks like a position we'll have no choice but to attack in the draft. Maybe Day 2.

purplefaithful wrote:
Nobody is talking IDL?

I think its very likely Hargrave is gone and maybe Allen too. There's a chance they may have to keep Allen 1 more season due to cap issues with him

I agree with you and think it's highly likely either Hargrave, Allen, or both will be gone next season. This isn't a great draft crop of DT's, but what I do like is they are big guys. I don't know if that will ever suit Flores and what he wants on the defensive line, but I think there's certainly some benefit to being able to counter what offenses are trying to do against you.

https://gbnreport.com/2026-big-board/

Updated GBN Big Board

An early draft crush candidate. Read this scouting report and tell me he isn't a perfect fit in a Flores defense;

"Defensive coordinators running hybrid schemes will fall in love with Hill's versatility. He's got the physicality to stack and shed against interior offensive linemen on early downs while possessing the fluidity to drop into coverage and make plays on the ball. What truly separates him from other linebackers in this class is his blitzing prowess - he has natural pass rush skills with dip and bend that many edge defenders would envy. When Hill comes on a delayed blitz, quarterbacks start hearing footsteps. His game reminds me of a more athletic Demario Davis with the way he can impact all three phases of defense without needing to come off the field in any situation.

The tape doesn't lie - Hill is a day one starter who should land in the top dozen picks. His speed at 235 pounds gives him a truly elite athletic profile that defensive coaches will weaponize from multiple alignments. While he could stand to add a bit more mass to his frame, his vicious tackling technique and natural leverage help him play bigger than his size. Any defense looking to inject immediate playmaking ability and swagger into their linebacker corps should sprint to the podium if Hill is available. He's a culture-changer who plays with the kind of edge and killer instinct that elevates an entire defensive unit. Don't overthink this one - Hill has future Pro Bowler written all over him."

purplefaithful wrote:

Nobody is talking IDL?

I think its very likely Hargrave is gone and maybe Allen too. There's a chance they may have to keep Allen 1 more season due to cap issues with him

Both Allen and Hargrave's cap hit next year is $21M. Allen will likely be restructured to avoid that hit. Don't think he'll be released due to a $17M dead cap hit. But Hargrave might, since his dead money is a slightly more tolerable $10M. Or they both could be back under restructured deals. Both were invisible early on, but both have started to play a lot better lately. Could be the Flores learning curve. 

So at minimum, one of those guys will be back, plus Redmond, LDR and TID. I think LDR could be ready to start in 2026. So yeah, while we do need help there, I wouldn't put it above ILB, CB or S.

The OC prospects in this upcoming draft project to be extremely good. When can you remember a draft that had multiple quality OC prospects? Even if Brandel improves over the remainder of the season, I still don't want to leave this draft without taking a swing at an OC. Not in the first round but certainly on Day 2. Maybe with the Darnold 3rd round comp pick.