Minnesota Vikings need to be prepared for a growing trend among NFL Draft picks

Oct 25, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Baylor Bears tight end Michael Trigg (1) is unable to hold on to a catch as he is tackled by Cincinnati Bearcats linebacker Jake Golday (11) and defensive back Tre Gola-Callard (6) in the second half at Nippert Stadium. Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

Over the past few years, there has been a growing trend among NFL Draft picks that could end up the Minnesota Vikings.

This past year, the Minnesota Vikings had a bevy of salary cap issues they needed to address. With $46 million in the hole, they made numerous cuts to get under the salary cap and make a couple of free agency moves.

The lack of day two NFL Draft picks has them in trouble. After making three of them in 2022, the Vikings made two combined over the next three NFL Drafts under former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, and neither of them have been in the second round. That was one of the main reasons why they fired Adofo-Mensah.

Jake Golday’s contract could become an issue

Since the Vikings haven’t had a second-round pick, they haven’t had to barter over guaranteed money with second-round picks. It’s become a growing trend for players in the second round to receive fully guaranteed contracts. Last year, every pick in the top-40 received one, and that number is likely to grow.