Vikings Draft: Best Pick 18 Options

An advertisment for the 2026 NFL Draft is displayed on a video board outside Acrisure Stadium, Wednesday, March 25, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pa. | Ethan Morrison / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

With just 9 days until the 2026 NFL Draft, Minnesota Vikings fans are locked in on pick 18 — who should the Vikings take? Tyler Forness drops his bold top 5 options plus a full 7-round mock on The Real Forno Show, while breaking down J.J. McCarthy trade rumors with sharp media-literacy lessons.

Minnesota Vikings NFL Draft strategy takes center stage in this must-watch/listen episode of The Real Forno Show, a Vikings 1st & SKOL. Host Tyler Forness and producer Dave Stefano deliver unfiltered analysis on the team’s 18th overall selection, why non-premium positions make sense in a deep class, and the difference between real trade rumors and pure speculation. Forness stresses the importance of media literacy when evaluating draft buzz, telling listeners, “When you see trade rumors always go to the source… go to the source and don’t listen to somebody be like, according to X, Y, Z on Twitter, this is happening.”

Key points from the episode include:

• J.J. McCarthy trade rumors explained: Forness clarifies the recent Rams speculation was not sourced reporting but analyst speculation from Ralph Vacchiano. “It wasn’t a rumor, it was speculation… We have to make sure we have our media literacy hats on and understand what’s rumor, what’s speculation, and what’s analysis.”
• Why the Vikings should avoid the secondary on Day 1: Despite needs at corner and safety, Forness notes Brian Flores’ system prioritizes intelligence over elite athleticism in a strong class. “You can get a really smart player who might be a slightly lesser athlete later in the draft… day two’s filled with starters at cornerback at safety.”
• Tyler Forness’ Top 5 at pick 18: 5. Avieon Terrell (CB, Clemson), 4. Jermod McCoy (CB, Tennessee), 3. KC Concepcion (WR, Texas A&M), 2. C.J. Allen (LB, Georgia), 1. Kenyon Sadiq (TE, Oregon). Forness highlights Sadiq as the perfect long-term fit: “He runs a 4.39 40… 43 and a half inch vertical… you can use him in certain situations and then use the rest of the season to prepare him to take over for T.J. Hockenson.”
• 7-round Vikings mock draft via BPA: The crew simulated picks emphasizing best player available, landing Sadiq early, plus defensive talent like Malachi Lawrence and Kyle Louis to build roster depth.

Tyler Forness’ BPA constrained as the board fell mock draft results.

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Vikings fans searching for honest 2026 NFL Draft breakdowns, Tyler Forness scouting reports, or the latest on Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy will love this episode. Tune into The Real Forno Show — your go-to Minnesota Vikings podcast — for live draft coverage all weekend and expert film study you won’t find anywhere else.

Fan With Us!!!

Tyler Forness @TheRealForno of Vikings 1st & SKOL @Vikings1stSKOL and A to Z Sports @AtoZSportsNFL, with Dave Stefano @Luft_Krigare producing this Vikings 1st & SKOL production, the @RealFornoShow. Podcasts partnered with Fans First Sports Network @FansFirstSN.

Question:

Who should the Vikings take at 18 overall — Kenyon Sadiq, C.J. Allen, or someone else? Drop your pick and hottest take in the comments below!