Who did the Jaguarsâ take with the picks from their shrewd 2025 NFL Draft trade?
Jaguars made strategic trades in the 2025 NFL Draft, acquiring key picks for 2026.
The Minnesota Vikings received a third-round compensatory pick, number 97 overall, after Sam Darnold signed a three-year, $100 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks. This pick is the highest compensatory pick awarded this year due to Darnold's significant contract.
The Vikings received a third-round pick for letting Darnold walk in free agency. That is now the number 97 overall pick in the draft. It is the highest compensatory pick this year because Darnoldâs compensation was the highest among all the qualifying free agent signings in 2025.
During the 2026 NFL Draft, we will update when the Vikings make pick 97.
The Vikings may have had a regret or two about moving on from Darnold last year. The former top-three pick out of USC led the Seahawks to a 14-3 record and the top seed in the NFC. Darnold had zero turnovers in the playoffs as the Seahawks won the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots.
The Vikings acquired the pick after Sam Darnold signed with the Seahawks, resulting in a net loss of a qualifying free agent.
Sam Darnold led the Seahawks to a 14-3 record and a Super Bowl victory, showcasing a strong performance with zero turnovers in the playoffs.
While the Vikings' decision seemed correct at the time, McCarthy's performance has raised questions about whether they made the right choice.
Jaguars made strategic trades in the 2025 NFL Draft, acquiring key picks for 2026.
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Given where the Vikings were with J.J. McCarthy and Darnold in a crowded quarterback room, the decision at the time was the correct one. However, given how McCarthy has played in his first full season as the starter, it appears the Vikings may have made the wrong decision. McCarthy will fight for his starting job in 2026 against former top overall pick Kyler Murray.
Compensatory picks are awarded to teams that suffer a net loss of qualifying free agents during the previous yearâs free agency period. So 2026 NFL Draft compensatory picks are awarded due to free agents lost in 2025. Then those player are ranked on the amount of salary, playing time, and a bunch of other criteria and slotted into the end of rounds three through seven.