Minnesota Vikings News and Links: If Not Jauan Jennings, Then Who?

Minnesota Vikings News and Links

**The Jauan Jennings Sweepstakes: Vikings Lead the Chase as Dolphins and Commanders Circle** The most significant movement occurred Tuesday when ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Jennings arrived in Minnesota for a two day visit with the Vikings. This isn’t just a “look-see” meeting because a two day itinerary typically signals serious mutual interest. The Vikings’ motivation is clear because they didn’t draft a single receiver last weekend. While Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are elite at the top of the depth chart, the departure of Jalen Nailor to the Raiders has left a massive void at WR3. Jennings is a schematic “plug-and-play” for Kevin O’Connell. Having spent six years in Kyle Shanahan’s system, Jennings already knows the route concepts and blocking responsibilities that O’Connell’s McVay adjacent offense demands. The only question remains his role. Would the man who led San Francisco in touchdowns last year be content as a third option behind Jefferson and Addison? **Vikings’ draft fallout from Banks pick to Greenard trade** The Minnesota Vikings have devoted the offseason to cleaning up their financial ledger. The effort reached a crescendo dramatically enough during last weekend’s NFL draft that interim general manager Rob Brzezinski felt compelled to issue a stark disclaimer. Speaking about the decision to trade linebacker Jonathan Greenard, a strong pass rusher in the prime of his career, rather than sign him to the contract extension he sought, Brzezinski acknowledged it “is not something we’re jumping around excitedly about.” Later, Brzezinski added: “We want to make it perfectly clear that this has nothing to do with us or [owners Zygi and Mark Wilf] not wanting to spend money or cutting back in any way, pulling back the reins on our spending. We have just spent so much money the last several years that it’s not sustainable for us to move forward. Our salary cap situation has been very, very challenging.” … There are some clinical explanations that help explain the decision. The Vikings had spent more than $100 million over the cap during the past two seasons under previous general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and entered the offseason needing to cut roughly $43 million from their cap simply to be in compliance. Eventually, they were going to have to account for the excesses of 2024 and 2025. The deal Greenard received from the Eagles — four years, $100 million — would have been difficult to reconcile in Minnesota. They also have a promising young pass rusher in Dallas Turner, a 2024 first-round pick, who is ready for a larger role. But trading a top pass rusher and captain is not something that NFL teams often do when they are gearing up for a deep playoff run. The bottom line of this offseason is that the Vikings are set to spend about $100 million less on their cash payroll in 2026 than they did in 2025, with the benefit of at least $71 million in cap space for 2027, according to figures calculated by Over the Cap. Longtime observers of the franchise couldn’t help but be reminded of previous ownership tenures that were hampered by cash-flow issues. … A coach-centric draft? The Wilfs gave Brzezinski the final say over personnel and draft decisions, but it wasn’t difficult to see heavy influence of the Vikings’ coaching staff — especially O’Connell and defensive coordinator Brian Flores — throughout the weekend. The Vikings addressed their most obvious need with two of their first three picks, selecting defensive linemen Caleb Banks (Round 1) and Domonique Orange (Round 3). All told, four of their first five picks were defensive players — a notable shift after Adofo-Mensah drafted only one top-100 player on defense during Flores’ previous three years with the team. Second-round linebacker Jake Golday has many similarities to incumbent Andrew Van Ginkel, a Flores favorite, and third-round safety Jakobe Thomas also addresses a clear roster hole. Brzezinski said he didn’t intend for the top of the draft to be so defense-centric, “but that’s how the board fell.” The coaching staff seemed particularly instrumental in targeting Banks, who at his best was unblockable in college and has the size — 6-foot-6, 327 pounds — to overmatch NFL offensive linemen. Throughout his tenure in Minnesota, O’Connell has spoken about the difficulty of game-planning against teams with established interior disrupters. It played a big role in both of his playoff losses, in 2022 against Dexter Lawrence II and the New York Giants and in 2024 against a strong Los Angeles Rams defensive line. But the Vikings hadn’t drafted a defensive lineman in the first round since 2013 (Sharif Floyd). O’Connell said the Vikings went into the draft process knowing “it’s really been some time since we really invested an early pick in the interior of the defensive line.” Now, opposing coaches might encounter the concerns O’Connell has expressed in previous years. “You wonder what the first thought is when they hear that name called,” O’Connell said. “And a lot of the things that we’ve talked about between Flo’s scheme, some of the players we have that we feel great about already on our defense and now adding a player like this, I think there was probably a thought or two about what that could look like from their perspective.” Personal touch Two lighter moments stood out over the weekend. During the Vikings’ initial call to Banks on Thursday night, O’Connell handed the phone to Flores. “Are you going to be ready to go?” Flores said. “Let’s get the dog. Let’s get the snakes. Let’s get the chameleon packed up and come to Minnesota.” Flores was referencing Banks’ extensive collection of exotic pets, which the pair had discussed during Banks’ predraft visit to the Vikings’ facility. “I don’t know if y’all could hear it,” Banks said, “but I was laughing. It meant a lot to me, because for you to say that on the phone, it shows how deep you care and you actually listen.” Then on Friday night, Thomas — the last of the Vikings’ trio of third-round picks — was talking during an interview with local reporters about his predraft visit. Thomas gracefully went out of his way to mention team operations manager Milan Burgess by name. “I always like to see the environment of a workplace,” Thomas said. “When I walked into the Vikings facility, my hostess, her name is Milan. Everybody that walked past each other in the facility spoke to each other and had genuine conversations, and it just felt so family-oriented at that place. It felt so wholesome and warming to be there. I wasn’t stressed or tensed. In this situation, you can get there sometimes. There, I was able to relax and really just be me just because there is so much humility in that building, and I loved it.” 2026 NFL draft: Scouts, coaches, execs on 32 teams’ classes Minnesota Vikings The Vikings conducted this draft while in a transitional state, with longtime team executive Rob Brzezinski holding the interim GM tag through the draft. While Minnesota improved its defense, some around the league had questions about the overall haul. “How much influence did Brian Flores have [on the selections]?” one AFC exec asked. “It felt like a lot. Felt like a coach-heavy draft.” The first-round selection of Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks felt risky to some, due to multiple foot surgeries. But his upside is high. Third-round safety Jakobe Thomas (Miami) was considered more of a mid-to-late Day 3 pick to multiple scouts. Scouts lauded the second-round selection of Cincinnati linebacker Jake Golday, one of the top off-ball backers in the draft who should be able to contribute right away. **‘Felt like they were doubling down’ — NFL executives react to Vikings’ NFL Draft with mixed feelings, including one that fails to understand Brian Flores** “Caleb Banks is really talented but does not play with great desire and is hurt all the time,” a different exec said. “Scares me to death.” The Athletic’s Mike Sando Let’s look at what another executive said about the class. They hit the nail on the head when talking about Jake Golday, but were off the mark with the 18th overall pick. “Jake Golday is a perfect scheme fit for what Flores wants to do on the edge there,” another said. “It’s just interesting that they chose Banks over Dillon Thieneman, who could have been their next Harrison Smith. It just felt like they were doubling down on their defensive coordinator.” The Athletic’s Mike Sando **2026 NFL Draft: Minnesota Vikings draft recap** https://www.pff.com/news/draft-minnesota-vikings-draft-recap Minnesota Vikings: C Picks: 9 | WAA added: 0.493 (Rank 32/32) Pick 18: DI Caleb Banks, Florida Gators Pick 51: LB Jake Golday, Cincinnati Bearcats Pick 82: DI Domonique Orange, Iowa State Cyclones Pick 97: T Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern Wildcats Pick 98: S Jakobe Thomas, Miami (FL) Hurricanes Pick 159: TE Max Bredeson, Michigan Wolverines Pick 163: CB Charles Demmings, Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks Pick 198: HB Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest Demon Deacons Pick 235: C Gavin Gerhardt, Cincinnati Bearcats Highest-graded pick (2025): S Jakobe Thomas, Miami (FL) Hurricanes (87.3) Banks: This is a significant reach based on the Consensus Big Board, but the fit in Brian Flores’ defense makes sense. Banks’ length and strength give the Vikings a unique presence on the defensive front that they can move across a variety of alignments, even if his production didn’t stand out at the collegiate level. Golday: Golday has intriguing length and athleticism with starter potential, but he must improve instincts and anticipation. At worst, he profiles as a strong depth and special teams option. Orange: Orange is a massive defensive line prospect with elite power potential, supported by impressive weight-room strength. His first-step explosiveness allows him to generate strong speed-to-power as a bull rusher, particularly in attack mode. However, his hand speed and pass-rush finesse are limited, which impacts his ability to disengage consistently. He projects best as a high-effort, power-based lineman in a 3-4 scheme. Tiernan: Tiernan is a smart, balanced and experienced tackle whose limitations stem from a naturally high pad level and shorter arm length. Despite that, his technique and football IQ give him a path to a starting role. Thomas: Thomas offers intriguing size and physicality as an enforcer-type safety, but inconsistency likely limits him to a rotational role. Bredeson: Bredeson’s value is rooted in his blocking ability, highlighted by a career-best 85.2 run-blocking grade in 2025 and strong marks of 78.0 in 2023 and 73.5 in 2024. He has also been reliable in pass protection, earning grades of 87.2 (2022), 73.1 (2023), 68.3 (2024) and 78.1 (2025), while allowing just four pressures and no sacks across 103 career pass-blocking snaps. Receiving production has been minimal, with 12 catches for 132 yards on 17 career targets. At his size, he shows good initial pop and leverage as a lead blocker, though his ability to sustain blocks remains inconsistent. Demmings: Demmings drew attention at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine with an explosive athletic profile and strong testing numbers. He measured 6-foot-1 and 194 pounds, which places him in the 68th percentile for height, with 32.13-inch arms in the 81st percentile. He ran a 4.41 40-yard dash (86th percentile) and posted elite explosiveness with a 42-inch vertical (99th percentile) and 11-foot broad jump (96th percentile). He earned a 79.6 PFF grade in 2025 and allowed 18 receptions for 246 yards and one touchdown on 37 targets, while recording four interceptions and six pass breakups, with a 39.8 passer rating allowed. His ball skills and tackling efficiency support sleeper potential, though he will require development at the next level. Claiborne: Claiborne is a souped-up, scatback-type runner with a sprinter’s track background that clearly translates to the field. He is at his best in zone-blocking concepts, where his speed and acceleration can stress defenses. He offers solid receiving upside and projects as an RB3 with special-teams value or as a speed complement in a two-back rotation. Gerhardt: Gerhardt brings extensive experience, having played 3,374 career snaps. In 2025, he earned a 68.4 overall grade with a 75.2 pass-blocking mark and a 66.1 run-blocking grade. He allowed just seven pressures and no sacks across 426 pass-blocking snaps, including only one pressure on 99 true pass sets. **Vikings draft-pick confidential: What I’ve heard from college coaches and staffers** Round 1, No. 18: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida We’ll start with former Florida coach Billy Napier, who said: “I would just tell you that, within the last decade or 20 years, this is a generational height, length, twitch and intelligence type of guy who also has a competitive streak that makes him different.” **Who Are the Vikings’ Backup Options If Jauan Jennings Doesn’t Sign?** Deebo Samuel Outside of Jennings, Samuel is perhaps the biggest name still available. The former 49ers and Commanders star is a dynamic threat, though his ability to impact the game as a receiver and runner isn’t what it once was. He has 5,519 receiving yards and 27 receiving touchdowns in his career, as well as rushing for 1,218 yards and 21 touchdowns. The 30-year-old comes with an injury risk, having dealt with lower-body injuries throughout his career. Any questions about the impact of the infamous power station next to the 49ers’ practice facility went away when his injuries followed him to Washington. That said, he’s always played through pain, having suited up in 16 games last season, including 12 starts, while playing 30 games combined in 2023 and 2024. Keenan Allen DeAndre Hopkins **3 Vikings undrafted free agents who could make 53 man roster** Dillon Bell, WR, Georgia If Dillon Bell refines his route-running technique, he could become a pivotal depth piece for the Vikings in 2026. His frame and open-field elusiveness make him an intriguing candidate to watch during training camp. It will be more interesting to see how Minnesota uses Bell, too, as a running back or wide receiver. Scooby Williams, LB, Texas A&M This linebacker room is in a slight state of flux right now. There’s the old guard of Eric Wilson and Andrew Van Ginkel, with young guys like Ivan Pace and second-round pick Jake Golday. Injuries have plagued Williams, limiting him to just six games last season, but he’s a rangy linebacker with good feel in zone coverage. He could carve out a role as a special teamer and eventually work his way onto the field on defense. Tyreek Chappell, CB, Texas A&M Staying in the SEC, a player like Tyreek Chappell out of Texas A&M always finds his way onto a Brian Flores defense. He is a tick undersized at 5’10, 190 lbs, but he plays with reckless abandon in run support. He doesn’t blow you away with his measurables, but his playstyle and determination could see him become a camp standout and a fan favorite early. **Lunchbreak: 5 Vikings Draft Choices Spotlighted in ESPN’s Top 100 ‘Picks, Steals, Fits’** … **Minnesota Vikings Projected Depth Chart: The NFL Draft led to multiple changes for the 2026 season** … **Vikings Get Strong Free-Agent Message Involving Deebo Samuel** … **Minnesota Vikings’ draft decision has one current player’s job in serious jeopardy going forward** … **Vikings Should Show Urgency to Fill Remaining WR Need: Analyst** … **Vikings quietly add a defensive piece with plenty still left to prove** … **Minnesota Vikings have a very bright future thanks to the maneuvering of Rob Brzezinski** … **Norway’s largest-ever trove of Viking Age coins discovered by metal detectorists: “Historic find”** … 5 Things to Know About Vikings 5th Round Draft Pick Charles Demmings … **Again, we all know the rules, but in case someone is new:** While navigating the open thread, just assume it’s sarcasm No discussion of politics or religion No feeding of the trolls Leave the gender hatred at the door Keep the bad language to a minimum (using the spoiler tags, if you must) Speaking of which, if discussing a newer show or movie, please use spoiler tags No pictures that could get someone fired or in serious trouble with their employer If you can’t disagree in a civil manner, feel free to go away