Vikings Add 4 More Rookies on Busy Friday Night

Round 2 — Jake Golday | LB, Cincinnati

Suddenly, the Vikings’ off-ball linebacking corps is deeper than the Atlantic.

In addition to rostering Blake Cashman, Eric Wilson, and Ivan Pace Jr., Minnesota has Golday in a slow cooker, biding his time to take over, probably for Wilson in 2027. Golday is a natural fit for Brian Flores’s defense, and it’s easy to see. At 6’5″ with 4.62 speed, he possesses the tools to be a significant problem for offenses at the next level.

His lean frame is the only notable concern, but the rest of his game appears solid. Golday played extensively at Central Arkansas and Cincinnati, maintained his health throughout his college career, and even earned First-Team All-Big 12 honors in 2025.

For Vikings fans, there’s a notable connection: Golday and Ivan Pace Jr. both came up through the Cincinnati program. Wilson also attended Cincinnati a decade ago.

Some claim Golday is “raw,” so with the aforementioned depth, he may not see the field a ton in 2026. Always remember, though: Cashman usually misses at least four games per season.

Best NFL Comp: Leighton Vander Esch or Germaine Pratt

Then, the Trade

Record for the DJ’s record scratch? It happened. After weeks of rumors, the Vikings traded outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles for two 3rd-Rounders, while giving Howie Roseman’s club a 7th-Rounder as sweetener.

The Vikings flipped the first 3rd-Rounder into Jakobe Thomas — more on him momentarily — and stashed the second for 2027’s already deep rookie class. Greenard is no longer a Viking. Dallas Turner’s promotion has arrived.

Round 3 — Domonique Orange | DT, Iowa State

The man called Big Citrus is in the house. Minnesota drafted not one, but two, big defensive tackles in 24 hours, landing Orange from Iowa State. Immediate context: Orange is a nose tackle; Banks is not.

Orange projects as an early-down interior lineman capable of contributing immediately. At 6’2″ and 325 pounds, he possesses a strong first step, a solid anchor, and noticeably long arms — traits all evident on tape.

His inclusion on Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks” list last year is fitting, given the physical traits. Pass rushing, however, is not a major component of his game, and he rarely employs a bull rush compared to his DT draft peers. Having just turned 22 last month, he has ample time for further development.

If you need a simple way to process it: Banks is a Viking to sack quarterbacks, Orange is the run-stuffing guy.

Best NFL Comp: Dalvin Tomlinson

Round 3 — Caleb Tiernan | OT, Northwestern

With Christian Darrisaw’s ACL recovery not necessarily progressing swimmingly in 2025, plus Brian O’Neill’s 2027 free agency, Minnesota evidently wanted an OT insurance policy, finding that in Tiernan.

The Northwestern alumnus is known for pass protection. Above all else, that is his baby. He’s also huge at 6’8″ and 320 pounds. He can play left tackle and right tackle and has five years of starting experience. The dude is game-ready. He’ll turn 24 during next year’s playoffs.

Northwestern offensive lineman Caleb Tiernan (72) celebrates with teammates after a touchdown at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana, on Nov 2, 2024, joining quarterback Jack Lausch and running back Joseph Himon II as the Wildcats react to a scoring play against Purdue. Mandatory Credit: Alex Martin-Imagn Images.

Tiernan also has a basketball background if you need a flavor of his athleticism.

The Athletic‘s Dane Brugler on Tiernan, a newcomer to the Vikings’ mock-draft cycle: “Tiernan is a large-framed blocker with the controlled, efficient movements as a pass blocker to stay square against various pass-rush angles. His use of hands is advanced for his age, and it allows him to quickly reset and toy with defenders.”

“His recovery skills and body control aren’t as consistent in the run game, which leads him to lose control of reps. Tiernan relies on refinement to compensate for his average length and redirect skills, using disciplined hands and poise to execute assignments. He’ll have swing tackle ability, although his best position long-term might be guard.”

Best NFL Comp: Mike McGlinchey

Round 3 — Jakobe Thomas | S, Miami

No, the Vikings did not leave the draft with Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman — he went to the Chicago Bears, of all places — or Toledo’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. But they did snag a decent consolation prize in Thomas, as starting safeties can be plucked from the draft’s middle and late rounds more than any position, at least per finding quality starters.

Thomas is 6’1′ and 211 pounds with 4.57 speed. The size and speed are there, as are real-time processing, a turnover-forcing gene, and versatility. He can play any safety role that Flores requests.

Miami defensive back Jakobe Thomas (8) lies on the field after a defensive play against SMU at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, Texas, on Nov 1, 2025, receiving attention following a second-quarter stop during a game that featured physical defensive efforts. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images.

Weaknesses? Thomas fell to the bottom of Round 3 because of tackling and, hence, run defense. Someone must teach him to tackle at a more consistent clip.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierein on Thomas: “A productive, fifth-year safety prospect, Thomas is wired to play forward and race into the action wherever it is present. He overflows pursuit and has too many missed or broken tackles on his stat sheet, but his impact against the run is a net positive.”

He’ll turn 23 this summer.

Best NFL Comp: Justin Reid