If We Were the Vikings, This Would Be the Pick at No. 18

Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq (18) looks on before the game against the James Madison Dukes, Dec 20, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon, standing on the sideline during pregame warmups as he surveys the field ahead of a postseason matchup with heightened attention surrounding his role in the Ducks’ offensive plans. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

The VT Endorsement: Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq at No. 18

The Vikings’ current leadership says it believes in the “best player available” strategy. If so, they should prove it and draft Sadiq, assuming he’s on the board at No. 18.

Sadiq is a freakish athlete, a willing blocker, and can truly take the top of the Vikings’ offense, which is especially important for a team that doesn’t habitually prioritize WR3 targets. Think of it this way: for the next five years, Sadiq can own the WR3 target load, hopefully with Kyler Murray at quarterback.

Minnesota has never used Round 1 draft capital on a tight end. The upside usually taps out on good tight ends like Kyle Rudolph, T.J. Hockenson, and Steve Jordan. The Vikings should draft a tight end who can be great.

Always remember: the Vikings didn’t have a roster need in 1998 when they drafted Randy Moss. They didn’t have a roster need in 2007 when they drafted Adrian Peterson. Get Sadiq and be filthy rich on offense, especially with Hockenson scheduled for free agency in 2027.

Secondary Endorsement: Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy

Let’s pretend that the Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles Rams, or Tampa Bay Buccaneers draft Sadiq, rendering the first part of this endorsement useless.

The club should pick McCoy at No. 18, snapping the cornerback draft drought. Minnesota hasn’t drafted a productive cornerback who lasted beyond a rookie contract since 2013: Xavier Rhodes. McCoy has the coverage skills, playmaking, and speed to succeed. The only thing to worry about is his injury history.

Nobody knows how much better Brian Flores’s defense could be with a fantastic cornerback. Let’s find out.

Just-in-Case Endorsement: Trade Down, Stack Picks, Draft CB Chris Johnson

If Sadiq and McCoy are off the board, Minnesota should trade down, grab an extra mid-round pick or two, and select Chris Johnson of San Diego State.

His draft stock has climbed as of late, but he should be gettable at the end of Round 1. For example, Minnesota could trade its 18th overall pick to Miami, grab two 3rd-Rounders, and pick Johnson. The Dolphins could then, for instance, pick a wide receiver.

San Diego State defensive back Chris Johnson speaks with media members during the NFL Combine, Feb 26, 2026, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, addressing questions at the podium as scouts and reporters evaluate his background, performance, and potential fit ahead of the upcoming draft. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

Johnson has the skill set to succeed in the pros.

The Ringer‘s Todd McShay on Johnson: “He’s a fundamentally sound press corner who uses the proper hand to disrupt receivers at the line of scrimmage, stays balanced when flipping his hips, and doesn’t panic with his back turned to the quarterback. Johnson reads receivers’ breaks, tracks the ball well, and takes sound angles, and he doesn’t get pushed around at the top of his routes in off coverage.”

“He’s quick to trigger, and he drives through the receiver when breaking on passes. He has big hands and possesses the timing and ability to stay in a receiver’s back pocket. Even though his arm length is below average, he’s good at breaking up passes. He had four interceptions last season and returned two of them for touchdowns.”

Johnson also attended Kevin O’Connell’s alma mater, San Diego State.

McShay added, “Johnson is a top five corner, a top 50 overall prospect, and one of the best Group of 5 players in this year’s draft. Johnson has the traits to develop into an effective no. 2 corner while working in sub-packages and contributing on special teams early in his career.”

“Kansas City corner Nohl Williams is an interesting comp — he didn’t get many snaps playing in a crowded secondary as a rookie last year, but he made the most of his opportunities, and he’s expected to start in 2026.”

The Jeremiyah Love Caveat

The dream for VikingsTerritory is for Love to end up with the Vikings. Full stop. End the discussion.

Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love (4) scores a touchdown during the first half against the Army Black Knights, Nov 23, 2024, at Yankee Stadium in New York City, powering through defenders near the goal line as he finishes a drive with a physical scoring run in a high-profile neutral-site matchup. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

But trading next year’s 1st-Rounder — a draft that will be astoundingly deep — is just a non-starter. Still, if Love fell to pick No. 10 or so and a team was willing to do business, our endorsement would be to trade for Love.

Pairing him with Kyler Murray, Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Brian Flores’s defense is the stuff of dreams.