2026 NFL Draft: Vikings Make Trade with Patriots

TL;DR

The Minnesota Vikings traded with the New England Patriots during the 2026 NFL Draft, acquiring the 198th overall pick to select running back Demond Claiborne. In return, the Patriots received the 234th overall pick and a sixth-round pick for 2027.

Key points

Vikings traded with Patriots during 2026 NFL Draft
Vikings received 198th overall pick
Patriots received 234th overall pick and 2027 sixth-round pick
Vikings selected Demond Claiborne with the 198th pick
Vikings have one selection remaining at 235th overall

Minnesota VikingsNew England PatriotsDemond Claiborne

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: A detailed view of a New England Patriots helmet sitting on the field during practice prior to Super Bowl LX at Stanford Stadium on February 05, 2026 in Stanford, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Minnesota Vikings are, once again, on the board in the 2026 NFL Draft, because this time they have decided to make a move *up* the board.

Trade Between Vikings and Patriots

Vikings receive: #198 overall (RB Demond Claiborne)
Patriots receive: #234 overall, 2027 sixth-round pick For more on the Patriots perspective on the trade, check out Pats Pulpit.
The trade is between the Vikings and the AFC Champion New England Patriots. The deal sees the Patriots sending the 198th overall selection, a sixth-round pick, to the Vikings. In exchange, the Vikings are sending the Patriots a seventh-round pick, #234 overall, and a sixth-round pick in next year’s NFL Draft. The Vikings then used the 198th overall pick to select Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne. With this trade, the Vikings now have just one selection remaining, the 235th overall pick, which is the seventh-round pick they acquired from the Carolina Panthers in the trade before the 2025 season. We’ll have more on the selection of Demond Claiborne here shortly.

Q&A