2026 Free Agency and Draft: DL

I'm going to steal a line from someone here, not sure who but it resonated with me:

None of these IDL are cause to pop the champagne at 18...

I'd rather grab one at 49 if need be and draft that AJ Sr replacement after that

Cam Jordan
6’4” 287 lbs 35” arm length
40 = 4.76
10 = 1.71
24th overall pick

Keldric Faulk
6’6” 276 lbs 34 3/8” arm length
40 = 4.68
10 = 1.68

-Dennis Allen coached Jordan for 10 seasons in New Orleans
-Jordan earned 10+ sacks in 5 of his initial 7 yrs with Allen

1) The path… pic.twitter.com/EL2zoC1OE7

— Nick Whalen (@_NickWhalen) April 13, 2026

Knucklehead wrote:
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.

I think the point is some draft analysts think he's got more upside than that, I do as well. Played on a really talented Ohio State team. We'll see!

I think Cam was mostly in a 4-3, but I like the comparison. Can't remember who, but someone else made that comp a few weeks ago.

purplefaithful wrote:
I'm going to steal a line from someone here, not sure who but it resonated with me: [i]None of these IDL are cause to pop the champagne at 18...[/i] I'd rather grab one at 49 if need be and draft that AJ Sr replacement after that

For me, not looking to take McDonald in round 1....but I think he's going to turn out to be a really good DT. I mentioned a few pages earlier in this thread that he might have some upside outside of run stopper and I think he's going to be a riser as we get to Draft day. Like early/mid round 2.  Honestly, not sure we're popping champagne for anyone at #18: very solid/very good is probably the best we're going to get, which is fine with me. I'd love that.

Jalen Redmond has signed his tender to stay with the #vikings via PFT. pic.twitter.com/LbycnX9P3a

— Ali Siddiqui (@asiddiqui15) April 14, 2026

There are roughly 30 IDLs who will be drafted next week. I can't find one I'd feel good about burning a top 18 pick on. Nor is there a single one who will be better than the guy we got for nothing from the Arlington Renegades.

As we get closer, I'm getting more and more intrigued by Keldric Faulk. Again, he's most often listed as an edge so not a lot of Viking fans are talking about this kid. He also didn't have a lot of sacks at Auburn because they used him all over the line. I think that kind of versatility will appeal to Brian Flores. He's 6-6, his weight at the combine was 276, but he's played around 290. What is the Flores size profile for his 5t/3t/4i? A good clue would be the guy we drafted on day three last year, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins. They are the exact same size. Faulk is only 20 years old. 

https://youtube.com/shorts/x0EgO9eVQI8?si=3j-PvyZIYNJZ-R8f

MaroonBells wrote:
As we get closer, I'm getting more and more intrigued by Keldric Faulk. Again, he's most often listed as an edge so not a lot of Viking fans are talking about this kid. He also didn't have a lot of sacks at Auburn because they used him all over the line. I think that kind of versatility will appeal to Brian Flores. He's 6-6, his weight at the combine was 276, but he's played around 290. What is the Flores size profile for his 5t/3t/4i? A good clue would be the guy we drafted on day three last year, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins. They are the exact same size. Faulk is only 20 years old. 

https://youtube.com/shorts/x0EgO9eVQI8?si=3j-PvyZIYNJZ-R8f

Dane just mocked him to the Dolphins at 11. I don’t see a consistent double digit sack guy, but a good run defender who can get the QB off his spot. Is that worth the 18?

JustInTime wrote:

Dane just mocked him to the Dolphins at 11. I don’t see a consistent double digit sack guy, but a good run defender who can get the QB off his spot. Is that worth the 18?

Not sure you can expect double digit sacks from anyone outside of a full-time edge rusher.

MaroonBells wrote:

Not sure you can expect double digit sacks from anyone outside of a full-time edge rusher.

Not in this D. Just ask Hargrave.

JustInTime wrote:

Not in this D. Just ask Hargrave.

Yep. Makes me think Flores told them to stop the run first and we'll generate pass rush from our blitz and OLBs. But if that's the case, why not just draft a fatty? If Flo is ever going to take one this is the year to do it.

MaroonBells wrote:
As we get closer, I'm getting more and more intrigued by Keldric Faulk. Again, he's most often listed as an edge so not a lot of Viking fans are talking about this kid. He also didn't have a lot of sacks at Auburn because they used him all over the line. I think that kind of versatility will appeal to Brian Flores. He's 6-6, his weight at the combine was 276, but he's played around 290. What is the Flores size profile for his 5t/3t/4i? A good clue would be the guy we drafted on day three last year, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins. They are the exact same size. Faulk is only 20 years old. 

https://youtube.com/shorts/x0EgO9eVQI8?si=3j-PvyZIYNJZ-R8f

If we draft DL at #18, this is the guy that I want. But if you take Brez at his word, that they will value production over traits, then it won't be Faulk.

MaroonBells wrote:

Yep. Makes me think Flores told them to stop the run first and we'll generate pass rush from our blitz and OLBs. But if that's the case, why not just draft a fatty? If Flo is ever going to take one this is the year to do it.

I don't think that's the issue.  Flo doesn't really want big fatties.  I think it's more that in a traditional 4-3, you just ask your DL to rush the passer while defending the run and your talent allows your stats to unfold, but in Flores's scheme, the scheme is designed to get specific guys open, so maybe 60% of the time (made up number) you're doing things to help other guys get stats, while waiting your turn.  Also, anyone could be dropping back into coverage which screws with these guys sack numbers.

We clearly went from "big fatty" in Philips to more pass rush DTs in Hargrave and Allen, and I think that shows what Flores wants out of those guys.

I think we're looking for a guy who's less big fatty, but more pass rushing DT who can hold up in the run game, although I think there's room for a big fatty like Dexter Lawrence that ruins the pocket if the offense isn't doubling him.

I think that's why I'm so high on Caleb Banks, because he's a big guy that plays fast like a small guy, but just has bonus size.

medaille wrote:

I don't think that's the issue.  Flo doesn't really want big fatties.  I think it's more that in a traditional 4-3, you just ask your DL to rush the passer while defending the run and your talent allows your stats to unfold, but in Flores's scheme, the scheme is designed to get specific guys open, so maybe 60% of the time (made up number) you're doing things to help other guys get stats, while waiting your turn.  Also, anyone could be dropping back into coverage which screws with these guys sack numbers.

We clearly went from "big fatty" in Philips to more pass rush DTs in Hargrave and Allen, and I think that shows what Flores wants out of those guys.

I think we're looking for a guy who's less big fatty, but more pass rushing DT who can hold up in the run game, although I think there's room for a big fatty like Dexter Lawrence that ruins the pocket if the offense isn't doubling him.

I think that's why I'm so high on Caleb Banks, because he's a big guy that plays fast like a small guy, but just has bonus size.

I'd be pretty excited about Banks after a big trade down, or in the 2nd round. He's a gamble, but maybe one worth taking. 

I wouldn't call Harrison Phillips a fatty. He's part of the reason I've been thinking that Flores has avoided them. He was here when Flo came on board, but Flo was here when we extended Phillips, so my assumption was that he liked Phillips in that nose role. But Phillips is 6-3, 307, not exactly the size profile for a two-gapping nose. AI tells me the average size of the NFL 3-4 nose is 6-3 to 6-4, 320 to 350 lbs. Behold the fatty. 

With the exception of Taimani there isn't a player on our roster who fits the nose size profile. We've had several opportunities to add them in the draft and free agency, and we've chosen the smaller guys every time: LDR, TID, J Roy, Hargrave, Allen. 

Who knows, maybe that was just a Kwesi fetish. I'll be curious to see if they add one in this draft, which is studded with nose tackles in almost every round.

Yes please:

33. Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 326 | Grade: Round 1/2

The rugged McDonald blossomed in 2025, anchoring Ohio State's run defense in 14 games and 440 defensive snaps. He mostly lined up as a head-up nose tackle under defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, overwhelming centers in the running game and consistently resetting the line of scrimmage. He also made life easier on second-level defenders by creating space.

McDonald [b]showed a little bit of pass-rush juice this past season[/b], logging 3.0 sacks, but his more important contributions will be his ability to change the shape of the interior of the pocket. He is scheme versatile and will appeal to teams looking to crack down on chunk runs allowed.

Keep your GM away from watching Caleb Banks' highlight reel before the draft, cos the guy in the highlight reel is a top 5 draft pick.

Absolutely silly high-end plays.

— Sam Monson (@SamMonsonNFL) April 17, 2026

https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/1111153/minnesota-vikings-kayden-mcdonald-defensive-tackle-ohio-state-first-round

JustInTime wrote:

Keep your GM away from watching Caleb Banks' highlight reel before the draft, cos the guy in the highlight reel is a top 5 draft pick.

Absolutely silly high-end plays.

— Sam Monson (@SamMonsonNFL) April 17, 2026

I think it'd be true if there weren't those foot injuries...

Hargrave and Allen decisions have pretty much assured they have to take a DL with 1 of the first 2 picks...It'll be interesting to watch the draft unfold and see if they try and move up or down especially from 18.