2026 NFL Draft: Vikings Select LB Jake Golday

CINCINNATI, OHIO - OCTOBER 25: Jake Golday #11 of the Cincinnati Bearcats in action during the second quarter against the Baylor Bears at Nippert Stadium on October 25, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Minnesota Vikings have made another selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, and with this pick, they have kept their attention on the defensive side of the football.

Jake Golday

Date of Birth: 23 May 2002 (22 years old)

College: University of Cincinnati

Drafted: Round 2, #51 overall

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 240 pounds

Career Accomplishments: First-Team All-Big 12 (2025)

With the 51st pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Vikings have selected linebacker Jake Golday from the University of Cincinnati.

Golday started his college career at Central Arkansas, where he played his first three seasons before transferring to Cincinnati. He looks to be another versatile weapon for the Minnesota defense, as he’s an off-ball linebacker that can move all over the field. The Vikings do have a solid duo of off-ball linebackers at the moment in and , but both of them are getting up in age, and the Vikings need to develop some depth behind them at the position.