The Boldest Vikings Predictions for the 2026 NFL Draft

Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; April 25, 2025; A wide shot captures the stage video board displaying “The Pick Is In” for the Minnesota Vikings during the third round of the NFL Draft, as fans and team personnel await the announcement inside the draft theater in Green Bay. Mandatory Credit: Perry Knotts-Getty Images

Next week, our staff will formally predict the Minnesota Vikings’ 1st-Round pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, but first, we asked our writers to get funky — the bold stuff that might unfold between April 23rd and 25th. “Bold predictions,” by design, are supposed to be “out there” and even a little bizarre.

These predictions lean weird for a reason.

Minnesota has nine picks this time; here’s what our people say will happen if things get a bit weird.

12 Vikings Calls That Could Rattle Minnesota’s Draft

Thinking outside the box for the 2026 NFL Draft.

Pasadena, California, USA; Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson (21) celebrates after reaching the end zone during first-half action against UCLA at the Rose Bowl, Nov 8, 2025, as teammates react nearby and momentum swings in Nebraska’s favor during a high-energy matchup. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

1. The First 4 Pick Are Offensive Players

Predictor: Wes Johnson

The Vikings are in a prime position to add to the offensive side of the ball, and when you futurecast it, you can see why they’ll lean that way. Jordan Addison had his 5th-year option picked up, which means he will be on the 2027 books for around $18m.

Justin Jefferson will come in around $49.5m, with the two WRs set to command about 21% of the cap. That’s not sustainable for future years, and thinking about the position’s future is smart football.

WRs KC Conception or Jordan Tyson could be targets in the first round. Tight end is another area to focus on for the future. T.J. Hockenson will be a free agent and has slowed down since his knee injury.

Drafting someone dynamic on Day 2 should be a must; Eli Stowers, Max Klare, or Oscar Delp would be options here. Finally, finding a center of the future to shore up the line moving forward will only help keep the pocket clean for Kyler Murray. At pick No. 97, I can see them bringing home Emmitt Johnson, who many are saying is an Aaron Jones clone. Who better to learn under than Jones in what might be a swan-song year for #33?

2. Offensive Tackle Drafted Early

Predictor: Janik Eckardt

On paper, the Vikings don’t need an offensive tackle with Brian O’Neill and Christian Darrisaw still on the roster. Furthermore, the franchise signed backup Ryan Van Demark this offseason. Still, with injury concerns surrounding both starters, the front office will select a tackle in the Top 100 to add a long-term backup to the squad, who will be developed until he’s ready to enter the starting lineup in a year or two.

3. Vikings End up with 10 Picks + Plus One Banked for 2027

Predictor: Kyle Joudry

The Vikings go into the event with nine picks. By the time it’s done, the Vikings will have made 10 selections and added an extra pick for 2027.

4. Vikings Trade Down, Draft DT Peter Woods

Predictor: Steve Hoikkala

The Vikings trade back from Pick No. 18 and stay in the 1st Round to select DL Peter Woods from Clemson to pair with Jalen Redmond. The Vikings know they need to build in the trenches to be successful on defense.

5. J.J. McCarthy Traded, Rookie QB Drafted

Predictor: Ted Schwerzler

Not only is J.J. McCarthy gone, but the Vikings can also land a developmental prospect. By trading McCarthy, Minnesota gets mid-round draft capital this cycle. They’ll stick with Kyler Murray when it works, and landing Taylen Green (Arkansas) or Cole Payton (NDSU) on Day 3 gives Kevin O’Connell a lower-profile project.

6. The Pick Is Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq

Predictor: Dustin Baker

When the Vikings reworked T.J. Hockenson’s contract, making him a free agent in 2027, many fans thought, “Hockenson is back, huh? I guess they’re not drafting a tight end.”

What they should have thought? “Hockenson’s last year in Minnesota is 2026, so a tight end from the draft is now in play.”

The pick at No. 18 is Sadiq, who will help compensate for the Vikings’ lack of WR3 at the moment — and so much more.

7. First 2 Picks Are Safeties

Predictor: Henrique Gucciardi

Flores seems happy with his starting cornerbacks, but even if Harrison Smith returns, the safety position must be addressed. With that in mind, interim GM Rob Brzezinski selects either Dillon Thieneman or Emmanuel McNeil-Warren on Day 1 and pairs him with A.J. Haulcy as their second pick

8. Vikings Trade Out of Round 1 Altogether

Predictor: Adam New

This year’s draft appears low on top-end talent, and the Vikings look like they are in a good spot to trade back. They go out of the first round completely for more Day 2 picks.

9. Jeremiyah Love Somehow Lands in MIN

Predictor: Cole Smith

South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love (4) carries the football while USC safety Bishop Fitzgerald (19) closes in defensively during second-half play at Notre Dame Stadium, Oct 18, 2025, as the Irish offense pushes for yards in a tightly contested matchup. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

The Vikings land Jeremiyah Love … without trading up. That’s it. That’s the prediction. This is what I’m rooting for, and I think there’s a world in which it happens. Very unlikely, but I don’t want the Vikings trading up for him either.

10. No Safety in First 3 Rounds

Predictor: Josh Frey

There are plenty of reasons for the Vikings to pick a safety early in this spring’s draft, but do they outweigh needs at other positions? I’m not so certain. The Vikings won’t end up with a new safety by the end of Day 2.

11. No Offensive Players until Rounds 4-7

Predictor: Brevan Bane

Glendale, Arizona, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores stands on the sideline observing defensive alignments during the NFC Wild Card game against the Los Angeles Rams, Jan 13, 2025, as postseason intensity builds and communication remains critical throughout the matchup. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Vikings won’t select any offensive players until Day 3. Given how much the defense needs young talent and how the board could likely shake out, Minnesota could have some decent looks at good defenders at its selections at 18, 49, 82, and 97.

12. Vikings Draft DL and OL with First 3 Picks

Predictor: Sean Borman

Vikings bypass the secondary and WR early in the draft to use their first three picks on a “trench-first” overhaul of IDL and C. This strategy prioritizes long-term cap sustainability and leans into Brian Flores’ identity by betting that elite physical line play is more critical to success than high-priced cornerbacks.

It’s building the roster from the inside out. After all, three of the four starting trenchmen who were signed in free agency last offseason are already gone.