
The biggest question facing every WNBA team in training camp
WNBA training camps open with key questions for each team.
The Minnesota Vikings hold the 18th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, set for April 26 in Pittsburgh. They may consider trading up for running back Jeremiyah Love or trading down to address needs in safety, defensive tackle, and linebacker.
Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The 2026 NFL draft will kick off on April 26 in Pittsburgh, with Minnesota scheduled to select in the first round with theĀ 18th overall pick. Sitting in the middle of the pack, the Vikingsā draft is in a bit of no manās land.
The more I look at this yearās draft, the more I think trade talks should be happening in Minnesota. That could be an aggressive move up the board for starting running back Jeremiyah Love, although I think that is unlikely. A trade down looks like the safer bet and could make a lot of sense for the Vikings, given what the team potentially needs on its roster, with safety, defensive tackle, and linebacker as positions that stand out.
The talent for those positions that should be on the Vikingsā radar is potentially going to be available late in the first round or on Day 2 of the draft. It wouldnāt surprise me to see the Vikings trade back from 18 and get an extra pick.

Nov 22, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) catches a pass for a touchdown during the first half against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
However, should they stick and pick at 18, who should they be looking at? For me, with player ability, draft placement, and positional value taken into consideration. Five players would work at 18 on the Vikings draft.
Spending a first-round pick on a WR3 feels like a bit of a luxury, but Makai Lemon is the first of two WRs on this list. If there were really obvious answers to positions of need on the table at 18, I wouldnāt be looking at this position. I donāt think there are with the safeties and defensive tackles often linked with the team in the build-up to this draft, having too many doubts hanging over them for my liking.
At 5ā11ā and 195 pounds, Lemon is an excellent route runner with electric play speed, sharp footwork, and impressive body control that allow him to create consistent separation.
He would give the Vikings a dynamic run-after-catch option that the team sometimes lacks and operate primarily out of the slot with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison out wide. It would be quite a sight, seeing the three of them working together.
The second option at WR is Arizona Stateās Jordyn Tyson, who would give the Vikings a bigger, catch-dominant WR ā that they lack on the roster ā but is still an excellent route runner. At his size (6ā2 and 200 lbs) heās an effortless accelerator whoās athletic and speed jumps off the screen.
He has the route-running skills to go with the athletic traits and has the potential to be a top-end WR1 caliber player. The biggest question mark of Tysonās evaluation is his durability. He never played through a full season at the collegiate level and has a torn ACL, MCL, and PCL. Thatās what could see him slide to 18 when his talent level should see him go higher.
The Vikings signed James Pierre in free agency to go with Byron Murphy and Isaiah Rodgers. It leaves Minnesota in a position where they arenāt desperate for a CB, but a young lockdown outside corner would still be nice.

Tennessee offensive lineman Cooper Mays (63), wide receiver Bru McCoy (5), and quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) surround running back Dylan Sampson (6) in celebration after Sampsonās touchdown during an NCAA college football game against Alabama on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Knoxville. Tenn. Ā© Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
Despite missing the entire 2025 season amidst his recovery from a torn ACL, Jermod McCoy could be that guy. Without that injury, he almost certainly goes before the Vikings pick at 18. It has been some time since the Vikings had a CB who you could stick on the oppositionās best WR and be confident he can hold his own.
The potential to do that in a Brian Floresā defense that is giving QBās a headache at the line of scrimmage is an enticing one. McCoy is slightly short at 5ā11 but has solid proportional length, to go along with elite explosiveness, long-strider acceleration, and hyper-elite hip fluidity. Heās an instant closer with the potential to be a star at the CB position if he can return from his injury without issues.
Suppose the much-talked-aboutĀ Jonathan Greenard tradedoes come to fruition. Then the Vikings could certainly look at an edge defender, but even if they donāt, I still believe Keldric Faulk is worth rolling the dice on as a long-term prospect.
Faulk has drawn a Danielle Hunter comparison, with people drawing on potential physical attributes rather than a history of success as a pass rusher in college. Hunter proved that your pass rush repertoire can be built on at the pro level when you have freakish natural athleticism, and thatās what the team that drafts Faulk will be banking on. Itās a risk that Iād be willing to take for a potential star at one of the gameās premium positions.
TJ Hockenson is staying in Minnesota for this season, but perhaps no longer than that, as a reworked deal allowed the Vikings to save money and let Hockenson hit free agency. Drafting Kenyon Sadiq would be a case of why wait to solve a future problem when you can do it now.

Dec 20, 2025; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq (18) looks on before the game against the James Madison Dukes at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
At 6ā3ā³ and almost 250 pounds, Sadiq has a hyper-dense and muscular frame, which he combines with elite explosive athleticism, fluidity, and seam-splitting speed. Minnesota needs another option in its passing attack, and Sadiq can provide that in Year 1 while being given time to take on full TE1 duties for when Hockenson eventually leaves.
An impressive blocker for his size, with a high degree of natural leverage, range, physicality, and alignment versatility, Sadiq can be an important player for the Vikings this year and in the future.
The 18th pick places the Vikings in a strategic position to either trade up for a key player or trade down to acquire more assets while addressing team needs.
While specific players are not mentioned, the Vikings are considering positions like safety, defensive tackle, and linebacker as top priorities.
The 2026 NFL Draft begins on April 26 and will take place in Pittsburgh.
Yes, the Vikings may consider trading up, potentially targeting running back Jeremiyah Love, although this move is seen as unlikely.

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