What We Would Have Done with Every Vikings Draft Pick

TL;DR

The article discusses an alternate draft strategy for the Minnesota Vikings, simulating selections as if the authors were the general managers. It highlights a different approach to player selection compared to the actual draft choices made.

Key points

VikingsTerritory simulated the Vikings' draft picks.
The exercise involved selecting players as if the authors were general managers.
Makai Lemon was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles.
The authors opposed drafting Caleb Banks in Round 1.
The approach differs from traditional mock drafts.

Minnesota VikingsPhiladelphia EaglesMakai LemonCaleb Banks

USC wide receiver Makai Lemon gazed into the camera and delivers a highly awkward speech in front of reporters at the 2026 NFL Combine. Lemon was later selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2026 NFL Draft. Mandatory Credit: YouTube

VikingsTerritory piloted a new exercise in 2026: selecting Minnesota Vikings draft picks in real-time as if we were the general manager. It’s not necessarily a “mock” draft; it’s a “what we would have done in the heat of the moment” alternate draft.

VT’s version of the Vikings’ draft is a completely different animal.

For example, we would not have drafted Caleb Banks in Round 1; instead, we would have embraced, in our estimation, the best player available on the board.

Our Alternate Vikings Draft Class Is Here. Hold Us Accountable.

Important note: for the purposes of this exercise, we ignore who and what the Vikings drafted. For instance, the Vikings drafted a DT in Round 1; we did not. Our draft or roster still needed a DT. The Vikings did not.

And one more caveat: we would not have traded Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles. It’s hard to understand how a team that is paying its starting quarterback $1.3 million has such profound salary cap trouble. Finally, you will notice this draft does not have defensive tackles: we would’ve signed Christian Wilkins, who has ties to Brian Flores, in post-draft free agency.

Q&A

What was the main focus of the Vikings' alternate draft strategy?

The main focus was to select players in real-time as if the authors were the general managers, emphasizing a different approach to the draft.

Who was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2026 NFL Draft?

USC wide receiver Makai Lemon was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2026 NFL Draft.

What player did the authors suggest the Vikings should not have drafted in Round 1?

The authors suggested that the Vikings should not have drafted Caleb Banks in Round 1.

How does the Vikings' draft strategy differ from a traditional mock draft?

The Vikings' draft strategy differs by focusing on what the authors would have done in the moment, rather than predicting outcomes like a traditional mock draft.