2026 Free Agency and Draft: DL

JustInTime wrote:
Well, that would certainly shore up the iDL. Get those two pending restructures done and figure out the comp. Might not be as steep as you think.

His money (and trade demand) will keep the trade comp down. I wonder if we can get him for #49 and some change.

MaroonBells wrote:

His money (and trade demand) will keep the trade comp down. I wonder if we can get him for #49 and some change.

I agree Lawrence is a unicorn and only 28...But he's going to command TOP $ at his position and they gotta do something down the road with big $ at QB. Be that JJM or KM

I really dont want to lose that 2nd rd pick this year...So many roster needs and we havent had a #2 for how many years now?

Dont know if the Gmen need an Edge?? I know they got the kid from Penn St last year. 

We might have one to trade - not for straight-up, but maybe we thrown in a 3rd day pick???

purplefaithful wrote:

I agree Lawrence is a unicorn and only 28...But he's going to command TOP $ at his position and they gotta do something down the road with big $ at QB. Be that JJM or KM

I really dont want to lose that 2nd rd pick this year...So many roster needs and we havent had a #2 for how many years now?

Dont know if the Gmen need an Edge?? I know they got the kid from Penn St last year. 

We might have one to trade - not for straight-up, but maybe we thrown in a 3rd day pick???

I kinda see it like Kyler Murray. You put Sexy Dexy on a Flo defense with Redmond, Greenard, Gink and Turner, to hell with the money, we'll figure that out after the Super Bowl.

purplefaithful wrote:

I agree Lawrence is a unicorn and only 28...But he's going to command TOP $ at his position and they gotta do something down the road with big $ at QB. Be that JJM or KM

I really dont want to lose that 2nd rd pick this year...So many roster needs and we havent had a #2 for how many years now?

Dont know if the Gmen need an Edge?? I know they got the kid from Penn St last year. 

We might have one to trade - not for straight-up, but maybe we thrown in a 3rd day pick???

I believe they are shopping Thibeaux, so yeah.

Peter Woods beating RT Monroe Freeling in 2024

Clemson moved Woods around a lot in this game, playing him as far out as the 9 at 320 lbs

Last 2 years Woods would play from the 0 to the 9.

More edge reps at 320 & more interior 0-1 at 300 🤷‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/3ozA9DRjqb

— JaysonBraddock (@JaysonBraddock) April 5, 2026

It's not the strongest defensive tackle class, but there are intriguing prospects for the Minnesota Vikings. My latest for @AtoZSportsNFL https://t.co/rQszrc03RK

— Tyler Forness (@TheRealForno) April 8, 2026

Clemson did Woods no favors in how they deployed him in 25. I think the 24 version is closer to what we could expect to see.

JustInTime wrote:
https://x.com/therealforno/status/2041910879000633572?s=46&t=TjjB9Q4BmOwmN74RrrMjoQ

Clemson did Woods no favors in how they deployed him in 25. I think the 24 version is closer to what we could expect to see.

I think a lot of the Clemson players are getting dinged by the bad year. Klubnik is a guy who intrigues me. I don't think we will or even should take a QB, but if he and Woods came out last year, they'd be going a lot higher. 

You're not going to get Aaron Donald with Woods, but I think he's got a really high floor.

Will the Vikings add some vitamin C to their D? 

Iowa State DT Dom Orange will be in attendance for a top 30 visit with the #Vikings, @TonyPauline wrote via @ES_sportsnews. Minnesota is expected to host their top 30 attendees tomorrow and Friday. pic.twitter.com/l0oTGhujGt

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) April 8, 2026

MaroonBells wrote:
Will the Vikings add some vitamin C to their D? 

Iowa State DT Dom Orange will be in attendance for a top 30 visit with the #Vikings, @TonyPauline wrote via @ES_sportsnews. Minnesota is expected to host their top 30 attendees tomorrow and Friday. pic.twitter.com/l0oTGhujGt

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) April 8, 2026

Ding Adofo-Mensah for his drafts if you wish, but the primary reason for his dismissal was his inability to meld the personnel staff’s vision with the coaching staff’s preferences. Differences of opinion on specific players and situations furthered an early disconnect.

If we draft a big fatty, this gets confirmed. The Big Citrus, the Godfather, find one and pair him with Woods perhaps or a vet. Definitely needs to be addressed.

JustInTime wrote:

Ding Adofo-Mensah for his drafts if you wish, but the primary reason for his dismissal was his inability to meld the personnel staff’s vision with the coaching staff’s preferences. Differences of opinion on specific players and situations furthered an early disconnect.

If we draft a big fatty, this gets confirmed. The Big Citrus, the Godfather, find one and pair him with Woods perhaps or a vet. Definitely needs to be addressed.

I've always said Kwesi's ouster wasn't about his drafts. But this seems really hard to believe. You're an econ guy. OK, fine, that can work, but ONLY if you're listening to your coaches and scouting staff. What the HELL was he doing? Kwesi never seemed like the rogue GM type, but it's sounding like he had a bit of that in him. If so, it's best he's gone. 

Very curious to see how this draft shakes out in that regard. Hell, who knows, maybe BFlo's been screaming for a fatty for years. lol

My later round value pick is: DE/OLB Mason Reiger out of Wisconsin.  His game and path is very similar to AVG and he could be the future after AVG.  He's a top 30 visit and looks like he's on the Vikings Big Board in the 5th round.

#Vikings DL coaches have spoke with Clemson DT Peter Woods “multiple times,” a source tells me.

Woods is ranked as the 3rd best IDL in the 2026 NFL Draft, according to @PFF, and could be in play for Minnesota at pick 18. pic.twitter.com/1ahlDd5Nip

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) April 9, 2026

Keldric Faulk: 
6-6, 276, 34-inch arms

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
6-5, 276, 33-inch arms

Keldric Faulk, Auburn #15

10 career sacks. Only 2 in 2025.

I went back through every 2025 game that Auburn's opponent threw 35x or more (5 games)

Like we already knew - Faulk was often used anywhere from a 4i to a 0 - so that was going to cut into his opportunities naturally… pic.twitter.com/jZNnwoVqo1

— eric smith (@OLCoachSmith63) April 10, 2026

Another 5T type the Vikings could like later on in the draft is LT Overton. He measured 6-3, 287 at his Pro Day

LT Overton (6’2 274) Alabama

+ Relentless pursuit to the football
+ 9.7% stop rate is among the highest at the position in 2025
+ 18.4% win rate on true pass sets
+ Bull rush power
+ Strong hands
+ Can play multiple spots on the line

- Can be fooled by misdirection
- Tweener… pic.twitter.com/EDWTLdi5XO

— Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) January 11, 2026

“I almost felt in a Bill Belichick defense he would be similar to a Richard Seymour…”@GregCosell discusses Auburn DL Keldric Faulk: pic.twitter.com/4pjHDeFVJ4

— Ross Tucker Podcast (@RossTuckerPod) April 10, 2026

In reference to Clemson’s DT Peter Woods, All Pro Quinnen Williams said, “That’s the one! He’s the closest thing to myself that I’ve seen in this draft class”!

Peter out there moving like DT’s not supposed to be able to move, putting in work with Cass Middleton 🦾😮‍💨 #NFL pic.twitter.com/KIC7rI3v9m

— Boog (@Hboog32) April 10, 2026

Lee Hunter (6’4 330) Texas Tech

+ Ironman that has played over 500 snaps in three straight seasons
+ Bull rush power
+ Plays with a violent nature
+ Good effort for a big man
+ 17.5% win rate on true pass sets
+ 11.9% stop rate is among the highest in the draft class
+… pic.twitter.com/9wExbmLaXZ

— Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) January 12, 2026

StickierBuns wrote:
McDonald is my guy:

Nick Guarisco
@FantasyLawGuy
Jeremiah on Move the Sticks Pod: “I think DT Kayden McDonald has a chance. But he’s the only DT I think has a chance to go in the first round.”

Bucky Brooks argues all the DTs are mainly run stoppers, and that’s why we’re seeing reports on teams viewing Mesidor and Bain as 3-techs on pass downs.

McDonald isn't going to offer much as a pass rusher, but he can definitely stop the run. Interesting that DJ doesn't think Woods or Banks will go in the 1st round. I think Keldric Faulk, given his versatility, could be someone who appeals to Flores. People aren't often connecting him to the Vikings because he's most often listed as an edge, but he's big enough to line up at 3T and 5T too. At 6-6, 280, with 34+ arm length, he has the frame to easily add another 5 or 10 lbs if they want him to.

StickierBuns wrote:
McDonald is my guy:

Nick Guarisco
@FantasyLawGuy
Jeremiah on Move the Sticks Pod: “I think DT Kayden McDonald has a chance. But he’s the only DT I think has a chance to go in the first round.”

Bucky Brooks argues all the DTs are mainly run stoppers, and that’s why we’re seeing reports on teams viewing Mesidor and Bain as 3-techs on pass downs.

IDLs who are strictly run stoppers can be found on Day 3 of any draft. There's no need to draft one in the first round.

McDonald is my guy:

Nick Guarisco
@FantasyLawGuy
Jeremiah on Move the Sticks Pod: “I think DT Kayden McDonald has a chance. But he’s the only DT I think has a chance to go in the first round.”

Bucky Brooks argues all the DTs are mainly run stoppers, and that’s why we’re seeing reports on teams viewing Mesidor and Bain as 3-techs on pass downs.