The 5 Main Draft Questions the Vikings Need to Answer

Minnesota Vikings edge rusher Jonathan Greenard (58) closes in on Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) during first-half action, Oct 23, 2025, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, collapsing the pocket with speed and power as Minnesota’s defense applies pressure and disrupts the timing of the Los Angeles passing attack. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

5. Are Any Existing Players Traded?

The Vikings arguably have three main trade candidates at the moment:

• Jordan Addison (WR)
• Jonathan Greenard (OLB)
• J.J. McCarthy (QB)

Addison and McCarthy probably won’t be traded, but Greenard is somewhat fair game, especially after his former employer, the Houston Texans, extended Will Anderson’s contract for three years and $150 million on Friday. That deal places Greenard in the $35 million-per-season range, which the Vikings may not be able to afford.

In theory, Minnesota could ship Greenard to an EDGE-needy team for a 2nd-Round pick and draft a rookie replacement.

4. What’s the New Center’s Name?

Unless the Vikings just love Blake Brandel, a new center is likely on the way from the draft. In tiers, these are the options:

Tier 1 —

• Sam Hecht (Kansas State)
• Connor Lew (Auburn)
• Logan Jones (Iowa)
• Jake Slaugther (Florida)

Tier 2 —

• Parker Brailsford (Alabama)
• Pat Coogan (Indiana)

The Tier 1 options will probably be drafted from Round 2 through 4; Tier 2 is after Round 4. Jones and Slaughter are “old” rookies who should be more game-ready than most. Lew is 20, and Hecht is a normal rookie age.

3. Who’s the New Running Back?

If one assumes that Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love will be picked in the Top 10 or before the Vikings’ draft pick, Minnesota must choose between these runners:

• Jadarian Price (Notre Dame | R2)
• Mike Washington Jr. (Arkansas | R3)
• Jonah Coleman (Washington | R3)
• Emmett Johnson (Nebraska | R4)
• Kaytron Allen (Penn State | R5)
• Nick Singleton (Penn State | R5)
• Demond Claiborne (Wake Forest | R6)
• Adam Randall (Clemson | R6)
• Le’Veon Moss (Texas A&M | R7)

The Vikings have met with several rookie tailbacks in the last two months; a new one is probably on the way. Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason are scheduled for 2027 free agency.

Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson (21) crosses the goal line for a touchdown against USC during first-half action, Nov 16, 2024, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California, finishing the run with momentum as he breaks through the defense to help Nebraska build an early offensive surge. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

It’s worth noting that Johnson is from Minneapolis and has openly campaigned to be drafted by the Vikings. Our Brevan Bane on Johnson: “Johnson’s fit would be in the same realm of what Demond Claiborne would bring, just in a different style. The pass protection isn’t there, but Johnson would be an elusive back to Jordan Mason’s more power-running style.”

“With Johnson in the backfield, assuming Jordan Mason extends with the Vikings after 2026 (and also that Aaron Jones is gone after this year), Minnesota would still lack a running back that can either pass protect really well or truly turn on the burners. He’s different enough from Jordan Mason to not make the backfield completely redundant, but still lacks in some of the same areas that Mason does, although beating him in others.”

2. Will the Vikings Continue to Gloss Over CB?

Fact: In 2022, the Vikings needed a cornerback; they drafted a safety in Round 1 instead.

Fact: In 2023, the Vikings needed a cornerback; they drafted a wide receiver in Round 1 instead.

Fact: In 2024, the Vikings needed a quarterback and an edge rusher; they drafted a safety in Round 1 instead.

Fact: In 2025, the Vikings needed a cornerback; they drafted a guard in Round 1 instead.

Does this pattern just continue? Does defensive coordinator Brian Flores really not need elite corners for his defense to flourish? How good would the defense be if he picked one?

1. Alas, Who’s the Pick at 18?

This year’s Vikings draft is extremely tricky to predict if one doesn’t expect it to be as simple as drafting Dillon Thieneman of Oregon. They could draft a cornerback, defensive tackle, tight end, wide receiver, or a safety like Thieneman, and no one would be too flabbergasted.

Toledo Rockets safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (7) celebrates a third-down stop against Louisville during the third quarter, Dec 23, 2025, at Flagler CU Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida, reacting with visible energy after halting the drive as teammates rally around him during a key moment in the Boca Raton Bowl matchup. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Romance-Imagn Images

As an example, Minnesota’s pick could be any man from this list:

• C.J. Allen (LB, Georgia)
• Denzel Boston (WR, Washington)
• Omar Cooper Jr. (WR, Indiana)
• Kevin Concepcion (WR, Texas A&M)
• Keldric Faulk (EDGE, Auburn)
• Colton Hood (CB, Tennessee)
• Chris Johnson (CB, San Diego State)
• Kayden McDonald (DT, Ohio State)
• Jermod McCoy (CB, Tennessee)
• Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (EDGE, Toledo)
• T.J. Parker (EDGE, Clemson)
• Kenyon Sadiq (TE, Oregon)
• Avieon Terrell (CB, Clemson)
• Dillon Thieneman (S, Oregon)
• Peter Woods (DT, Clemson)

Usually, a Vikings draft docket of suspects has half this count.

Therefore, the identity of the 18th pick will headline everything on Thursday night, as expected.