Vikings Seemingly Have a Shadow GM

The draft board tilted towards the defensive side of the ball early in the event. The first three picks and four of the five selections in rounds 1-3 were reinforcements for Flores’ group.

Flores has certainly earned the benefit of the doubt, as he keeps delivering elite units capable of carrying the operation. Throughout his three-year tenure, the Vikings have had the second-best defense in EPA/Play, only trailing the Cleveland Browns. That includes a 2023 season with a roster that was clearly not built for his scheme.

Conversely, the offense led by head coach Kevin O’Connell ranks 24th in the same span and metric. Quarterback play in 2023 and 2025 surely hurt his rankings.

The defensive coordinator was a coveted man this offseason, adding to his interview tally. He once again failed to land a head coaching job and subsequently extended his contract in the Twin Cities. Perhaps having more say in roster decisions was one of the perks he received in the process.

Either way, the defensive-coded draft could help him remain at or near the top of the league in defensive output.

Fowler added, “The first-round selection of Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks felt risky to some, due to multiple foot surgeries. But his upside is high. Third-round safety Jakobe Thomas (Miami) was considered more of a mid-to-late Day 3 pick to multiple scouts. Scouts lauded the second-round selection of Cincinnati linebacker Jake Golday, one of the top off-ball backers in the draft who should be able to contribute right away.”

Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks is selected by the Minnesota Vikings as the number 18 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Banks is widely considered the top interior lineman who lost some attraction due to his second major foot injury. If his foot checks out, he could end up becoming a franchise cornerstone along the defensive line.

Safety Thomas was a massive reach according to various draft analysts, but it’s noteworthy that his skill set resembles that of a player built for a Flores defense. He thrives in the box and in a versatile role near the line of scrimmage. The same can be said about linebacker Golday, who can play on the edge and as an off-ball linebacker. Cincinnati frequently used him in the slot.

We might never know how much influence Flores had in the draft room, but he has earned that luxury. Notably, he started in New England as a scout.

In the meantime, the Vikings have kicked off their search for a new general manager. Ownership has emphasized that they want to keep the past structure of having a GM at the top of the decision-making pyramid, who reports to them. A new strong man in the organization will arrive sooner rather than later, unless Brzezinski gets the promotion after all.

Until then, Flores might continue to have a strong voice.

Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.