The Minnesota Vikings have been extremely frugal this free-agency period, mostly retaining their own players or adding depth pieces from elsewhere. Kyler Murray was the splash signing this offseason, but the Arizona Cardinals picked up the tab on that bill, letting the Vikings get him for a bit of pocket change and some Kohl’s Cash.
Keeping the wallet shut tight is fine for the most part, and after last season’s spending frenzy, there was sure to be a much quieter approach this year. But the lack of big free-agency moves makes hitting in the draft even more important. And with more opportunities to take impact players, the Vikings may just come out ahead this offseason, despite the minimal free-agency activity.
Minnesota already has four top-100 picks, equal to the amount they’ve had the last three years combined. Still, there’s a real possibility they end up with even more via a draft day trade down.
The Vikings pick at No. 18 in this year’s draft, and a trade down almost feels inevitable at this point. There’s a lot of production to replace in 2026. However, Minnesota’s roster shortcomings may actually become a benefit in this scenario.
Minnesota has needs at center, running back, cornerback, defensive tackle, safety, and even receiver. The Seattle Seahawks’ Jaxon Smith-Njigba just became the highest-paid receiver of all time, effectively driving the price up on a Jordan Addison extension to levels the Vikings may be uncomfortable with. With off-field issues and Justin Jefferson already commanding $35 million per year, scenarios where Addison remains in Minnesota grow slimmer by the day. It would not at all be out of the question for Minnesota to go receiver in Round 1.
Regardless of whether Harrison Smith retires this year or not, a spot at safety will be opening up by next season. Minnesota’s cornerback room is solid, but by no means are Isaiah Rodgers or newcomer James Pierre irreplaceable. And with three big free-agent signings from 2025 already gone in Ryan Kelly, Javon Hargrave, and Jonathan Allen, center and defensive tackle have immediate starters to replace.
The point of all this is that Minnesota has plenty of roster holes, and snagging a good player in the first round at any one of those positions would be a big win. While it’s hard to know which specific players Rob Brzezinski and Kevin O’Connell are targeting, there are several defensive tackles, defensive backs, and receivers who are projected to go near the end of the first round. There will likely\ be several players still on board at No. 18 that Minnesota likes, so why not pick up some extra draft capital and still get one anyway?
Barring an epic fall from grace by safety Caleb Downs or running back Jeremiyah Love, the Vikings will be picking from their so-called ‘second-tier’ crop of favorites. Still, there’s a lot of talent, so here’s a long list of players who would hypothetically still be available in the back half of the first round.
- S Dillon Thieneman
- S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
- CB Jermod McCoy
- CB Avieon Terrell
- CB Colton Hood
- DT Peter Woods
- DT Caleb Banks
- WR Denzel Boston
- WR Jordyn Tyson
- WR KC Concepcion
Like every player in the draft, none of these options is perfect. McCoy, Banks, and Tyson all have injury concerns. Woods had a down year after looking like a top-10 pick in 2024. And McNeil-Warren was playing against YMCA Rec clubs for most of his career.
Thienemen may be the best prize at the bottom of this cereal box. However, beyond that, it’s easy to see any of them being a nice pickup for the Vikings. So if, say, half this list is still around at Minnesota’s pick, they could be inclined to move back a few picks and get one of them anyway.
Of course, it all depends on how the Vikings see things. If it’s Jermod McCoy or bust, a trade down to 27 probably isn’t in the cards. But if Minnesota is open to a few different players, picking up another second- or third-round pick would give them five total selections in the top-100, tied for second most in the NFL.
After years of poor drafts, Minnesota needs to find some starters in the year’s attempt. The roster is aging, and is being propped up by a superstar receiver, an edge who doesn’t even want to be here anymore, and Jalen Redmond‘s unexpected emergence. As far as building-block players under 25 go, it’s Will “The Thrill” Reichard, and then a lot of uncertainty.
If Minnesota only has eyes for one guy, and that’s it, then fine, go and get your guy. But, more realistically, they have similar grades on many of these players. If they’re comfortable taking any one of them, a trade down would behoove them.
