Minnesota Vikings News and Links: Which Position Will The Vikings Take In Round One?

When looking forward to the draft it is hard to tell which direction (i.e., position the Vikings will take at 18). The consensus is Safety Dillon Thieneman which would be an excellent pick for sure. I am just not there yet. We still do not know if Harrison Smith is going to retire as he has not made a public announcement like Ham and Thielen. If he returns, a safety could be a wise choice because it is likely, for sure, his last year and Jay Ward will be a free agent in 2027 as well. Still, how many snaps would Thieneman get? You could argue he would surpass Joseph which would not be unreasonable. The overall question remains though. Does Flores really care about the safety role enough to use a first round pick on one?

ai question for informational purposes only (and it gathers that info super quick)

The vikings have byron murphy jr, isaiah rodgers, and james pierre at corner. They still might bring back fabian moreau. they really like jay ward and theo jackson plus they have metellus. I am not sure secondary is as big of a need as the consensus wants to believe. Plus, harrison smith still might come back and last year, flores only had 4 corners on the final 53.

You’re right—the “consensus” often defaults to draft needs based on pure numbers, but the way Brian Flores uses his personnel tells a different story. If you look at the Vikings’ defensive identity heading into the 2026 season, the secondary might actually be their most stable unit, even with “Hitman” Harrison Smith’s future still unconfirmed.

The “Flores Reality” Check
You hit on a key point: Brian Flores prioritizes versatility and safety-heavy looks over traditional cornerback depth.

Minimal Corners: As you noted, Flores has shown he is comfortable carrying only four true cornerbacks on the active roster. By relying on Josh Metellus as a hybrid “Big Nickel” and leveraging the development of Jay Ward and Theo Jackson, the team essentially replaces the need for a 5th or 6th corner with players who can blitz, cover tight ends, and play the run.

The Metellus Factor: Metellus is the engine of this defense. Because he plays everywhere, he masks potential “needs” at both slot corner and linebacker.

The Veteran Presence: With Byron Murphy Jr. as the anchor and the addition of Isaiah Rodgers and James Pierre, the Vikings have a baseline of NFL-caliber experience. If they do bring back Fabian Moreau, they would have a veteran group that fits the “press-man” and “aggressive zone” mix Flores favors.

another ai question (and something I brought up before without ai)

the issues with this current 2026 draft class defensive tackles are not to be dismissed in the first round. caleb banks has had surgery now for the second time on the same foot. peter woods has historically short arms. kayden mcdonald is more of a two down run stopper at this point.

You’re highlighting the exact reason why the mid-first round is such a minefield for the Vikings this year. The “blue-chip” defensive tackle prospects all have red flags that make taking them at #18 a massive gamble.

The “Red Flag” DT Report
Caleb Banks (Florida): The foot injury at the Combine was a nightmare. This is his second major foot surgery in as many years (4th metatarsal), and having that kind of recurring issue on a 327-pound frame is a huge longevity risk.

Peter Woods (Clemson): He’s a “leverage monster” and arguably the closest thing to Jalen Carter in terms of play style, but his arm length is a legitimate concern. In a Brian Flores scheme that requires defensive linemen to stack and shed blocks, those “alligator arms” could make him a liability against the NFL’s longer offensive tackles.

Kayden McDonald (Ohio State): You’re spot on—he is a pure 0/1-tech run stuffer. While he’s elite at eating space, he provides almost zero interior pass-rush juice, which is a tough sell for a top-20 pick in today’s NFL.

another ai question

obviously a top safety would be nice but what position could the vikings take in the first round that the player would be an immediate starter. I could argue none.

That’s a fair and frankly realistic take. When you look at the current roster construction and Brian Flores’ defensive philosophy, the “Day 1 starter” path in the first round is extremely narrow for the Vikings.

The Case for “No Immediate Starters”
You could argue the Vikings are in a rare position where their most significant needs are either for rotational depth or future-proofing, rather than filling a literal empty spot on the depth chart:

Secondary: As you noted, with Murphy Jr., Rodgers, Pierre, and potentially Moreau, the “starting” boundary roles are technically filled. Flores’ heavy use of Josh Metellus and the comfort level with Jay Ward and Theo Jackson means a rookie safety or corner would likely begin as a “specialty sub-package” player rather than a 100% snap-count starter.

Offensive Line: With O’Connell confirming Blake Brandel as the starting center and Michael Jurgens as the primary backup, any rookie lineman drafted at #18 would essentially be an “insurance policy” for the aging Brian O’Neill or the injury-prone Christian Darrisaw.

Defensive Interior: Even a first-round DT would likely enter a heavy rotation with Jalen Redmond and other veterans. Given the “red flags” (short arms, injury history) of this year’s DT class, a rookie might not even beat out a veteran “bridge” player for the starting 0-tech or 3-tech spot on Day 1.

The Only “True” Starting Contenders
If you forced the “immediate starter” argument, there are only two scenarios where a rookie could realistically claim a starting job by Week 1:

Wide Receiver (WR3): While not a “starter” in 12-personnel, a first-round WR would effectively be a starter in Kevin O’Connell’s offense. With Jalen Nailor gone and the WR3 spot currently a battle between 2025’s Tai Felton and practice squaders, a dynamic rookie could immediately command 60%+ of the snaps.

Safety (The “Harrison Smith” Caveat): The only way a defensive rookie is a Day 1 starter is if Harrison Smith officially retires and Flores decides that neither Ward nor Jackson is ready for the “post” safety role. In that specific vacuum, a player like Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (Toledo) has been called a “plug-and-play” option for Flores’ scheme.

another ai question

the vikings did release smith but he has not personally announced his retirement like cj ham and adam thielen. a safety in round one could compete for snaps that is for sure. a corner in round 1 might not get many snaps and flores is hard on rookie corners.

Exactly. Your logic on the positional value versus immediate playing time is spot on, especially under a coordinator like Brian Flores. While the Vikings officially processed Harrison Smith as a post-June 1 release on March 11 to manage the cap, he hasn’t followed Adam Thielen and CJ Ham into formal retirement yet. If he does return, a first-round safety would enter a “redshirt” year or a heavy rotation, which is a tough sell for the 18th overall pick.

The “Rookie Wall” in the Secondary

The Safety Competition: Even if Smith stays away, a rookie safety has to beat out Jay Ward and Theo Jackson, both of whom Flores is reportedly high on. However, the “post” safety role is technically open, making this the only spot where a rookie could realistically “compete” for high-volume snaps early on.

The Cornerback Barrier: You’re right about Flores being tough on rookie corners. His scheme relies on complex disguised coverages and high-stakes press-man situations that usually favor veterans like Byron Murphy Jr. or Isaiah Rodgers. A first-round corner might find themselves buried behind those two and James Pierre for the majority of their rookie season.

Where Could a Rookie Start?
If we eliminate the “wait and see” positions, the Vikings’ path to a Day 1 Starter almost has to come from a position where they simply lack bodies:

Wide Receiver (WR3): This is the most logical “immediate impact” spot. With Jalen Nailor gone, a first-round receiver would immediately jump to the top of the depth chart behind Jefferson and Addison.

Interior Defensive Line (By Necessity): Even with the “red flags” you mentioned regarding this draft class, the depth chart at DT is so thin that a rookie might be forced into a starting role simply because there are no other options

The Reality Check: You’ve built a strong case that #18 might not be a “plug-and-play” starter. This makes the trade-down scenario even more likely—if you can’t find a blue-chip starter, you might as well gather more picks to fix the depth issues.

another ai question

I would not be surprised or disappointed to see Kenyon Sadiq or CJ Allen as the first pick

That would be a bold pivot away from the “consensus” needs, but there is a compelling case for both players as immediate contributors in 2026.

The Case for Kenyon Sadiq (TE, Oregon)
If the Vikings are truly worried about T.J. Hockenson’s long-term health or his looming cap hit (especially with the recent cuts of other high-priced veterans), Kenyon Sadiq is the ultimate “offensive wrinkle” for Kevin O’Connell.

The Fit: He’s a “generational” athlete who ran a 4.39 40-yard dash at the combine.

Immediate Impact: Unlike a developmental lineman, Sadiq is a matchup nightmare who would immediately start in “12” personnel (two tight end sets). He’d take eyes off Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison from Day 1.

The Risk: Analysts note he’s not an elite blocker yet, which might clash with O’Connell’s need for a complete tight end.

The Case for CJ Allen (LB, Georgia)
You could argue that CJ Allen is one of the few defensive players in this class who could actually beat out a veteran for a starting job in Brian Flores’ scheme.

The Fit: He’s been described as “too good to pass on” and a perfect fit for a coach like Flores, who values high-IQ, fast-flowing linebackers.

Immediate Impact: With the linebacker room relying on veterans like Eric Wilson and Blake Cashman, Allen provides the sideline-to-sideline speed the Vikings have lacked since Jordan Hicks left. He wouldn’t just rotate; he would likely push for the starting “green dot” duties by mid-season.

The “Flores Factor”: Unlike rookie corners, Flores has shown a willingness to play young, aggressive linebackers early if they can handle the diagnostic part of his defense.

The Verdict
Taking Sadiq or Allen at #18 would be a statement that the Vikings are drafting for pure talent over “filling a hole” at DT or Safety. Both players provide the athleticism that Kevin O’Connell and Brian Flores crave.
Do you think upgrading the explosive playmaking (Sadiq) is more important for J.J. McCarthy’s development than stabilizing the middle of the defense (Allen)?

I do not know which direction the team will take and you can make a compelling argument for almost any position besides QB, interior offensive line, and of course, and as always, a STINKIN PUNTER!

The question of the day for my fellow draft doofi (or should that be doofuses?)

ai says that this …

The plural of doofus is doofuses.

You may also occasionally see doofi used in a humorous or intentionally non-standard way, though it is not technically correct since the word is a modern slang term and not derived from Latin. If you use the variant spelling dufus, the plural is dufuses.

I like doofi but I digress …

Which player do you think is likely to fall the most this year?

Caleb Downs
Jermod McCoy
Denzel Boston
Caleb Banks
Kadyn Proctor
Keldric Faulk
Ty Simpson
Jermiah Love

My pick right now is Banks who has had three foot surgeries in the last 18 months.

Minnesota Vikings News and Links

How Kyler Murray Can Help Vikings Counter the ‘Justin Jefferson Program’

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell talked a lot about Murray’s athleticism and what it can do for Minnesota’s offense in an interview with KFAN’s Paul Allen this week.

“Just in the last two years alone, there’s five or six or seven times where — these aren’t designed runs, they’re dropback passes, maybe off of a play-action or maybe it’s a weighty third down and a team decides to play some man coverage to take away some of those eligibles and get connected on people’s bodies running routes,” O’Connell said. “Well, there’s a lot of space for Kyler. And when he gets out there, he’s proven to be able to turn the corner and turn a 15-to-20-yard run into a 40-yard touchdown run. That’s on the tape, that’s visible to watch. And he’s clearly capable of handling some designed runs as well. It’s been a part of his game.

“Ultimately, what we’re going to attempt to do is just put Kyler in an offense that he can be comfortable with. There’s a lot of really good things that carry over from some of the tape and some of the offenses he’s been in in Arizona as far as the rhythm and dropback pass game. And then any time Kyler Murray drops back with the ball, defenses really have to think twice about the double teams on Justin Jefferson and how they want to deploy their pass rush, because with his type of explosive athleticism, if he does break contain or get out of that pocket, it could be a huge play that changes the dynamic of the game.”

“What we tend to see is, I call it the Justin Jefferson program,” O’Connell said. “If (defenses) are playing man coverage, they’re absolutely not playing Justin one on one. There’s a player probably pressed up on the line of scrimmage and then there’s a safety somewhere, whether it’s in the deep half, whether it’s dropping down to truly double team him at the line of scrimmage. And we’ve seen some of those coverages to Jordan as well. But what that means is, if you’re gonna still try to play some of those coverages and still have a spy or somebody responsible for Kyler Murray — or, for that matter, any of our other quarterbacks — you’re really leaving yourself a three-man rush. Because you only have so many defenders. You can’t play with 12 or 13 out there.

“So you really have to ask yourself the question of what do you have to take away. And if the answer if Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, there’s gonna be some opportunity to maybe have a little bit more time in the pocket to let those guys go win, let other eligibles like T.J. (Hockenson) or one of our runners or Tai Felton go win downfield. Or you’re gonna say hey, we’re gonna play single coverage on those guys because we can’t let the quarterback hurt us with his legs, and then when those guys are singled up, that becomes a very good thing for the Minnesota Vikings.”

Vikings Finally Have the Quarterbacks to Unleash KOC’s Proven Winning Formula

Kevin O’Connell’s winning recipe isn’t a secret.

When the Vikings avoid turning the football over, the results are overwhelmingly good. Since 2022, O’Connell’s Vikings are a staggering 35-5 when they don’t lose the turnover battle, but just 8-22 when they do.

“When our team doesn’t turn the football over, or better yet, we break even or better in that turnover stat, I think we’re maybe 35-4 over my four years there. So we’re winning a lot of football games when we do that at a high level,” O’Connell said during an interview on NFL Network.

“There is a vision for Kyler Murray. The talent of Kyler Murray, where he’s at in his career, and ultimately how we specifically think we can help him reach a new standard, reach a new level of his play, and I’m really excited about that,” O’Connell said.

“He’s still 28 years old. He’s a wildly talented player who’s had success at every level of his quarterback journey. And I think he’s a motivated player right now,” O’Connell added. “I know from my dialogue with Kyler, his intentions, his hopes for this year in Minnesota, are something he’s incredibly excited about.”

O’Connell also made it clear that Wentz, had he avoided a serious shoulder injury, may have kept the starting job after taking over when McCarthy suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 2 last season.

“Had Carson not gotten injured, who knows what that final stretch of our season looks like. If he was able to consistently get in there and continue to acclimate in our offense, and he proved he was able to do all that with no reps in our system,” the coach reasoned. “So knowing that reps are going to be very important amongst those three guys, bringing a veteran like that gives us a totally complete, elevated quarterback room.”

“We know we need a standard at that quarterback position. When we’ve been able to get to that standard, when we get to that quote-on-quote line of play, our offense moves the football, and we score a lot of points,” O’Connell said.

“We’re going to get back to our standard on offense that we’ve had for the better part of my time in Minnesota, and like I said, Brian Flores and that defense, we’re going to put it all together. We just want an [opportunity] to roll it out there and see what happens 17 times, and I think Vikings fans are going to be excited about what that looks like.”

Kyler Murray, J.J. McCarthy Get Insider Update on Vikings QB Battle

“Coach Kevin O’Connell explained during a recent visit with PFT Live that, eventually, there will be a clear delineation of positions on the depth chart,” Florio wrote.

“The real question is when. He didn’t rule out the possibility of determining the starter entering training camp. That seems unlikely, however. The competition will likely commence during preseason practices and games.”

Moreover, despite having Wentz back in the fold, Florio notes that the competition is strictly between Murray and McCarthy.

“It will come down, undoubtedly, to Kyler Murray or J.J. McCarthy,” Florio added. “O’Connell explained that he has no concern about McCarthy becoming disenchanted if he doesn’t win the job.

“The best news for the Vikings is that, however it plays out, they’ll have a solid No. 2 and (if Carson Wentz makes the final 53) a third-stringer who can win games if need be.”

Jets Wanted Carson Wentz to Be Their QB2
During an April 2 appearance on SNY’s SportsNite, New York Jets insider Connor Hughes noted that Kirk Cousins, who signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, wasn’t a priority for New York to be their backup, given that the player they wanted to be QB2 was Wentz.

“[The Jets] were really hoping that player [for their backup QB role] was going to be Carson Wentz, and that was somebody that Frank Reich really was hoping, just because he’s somebody who knows his offense and somebody they value a lot,” Hughes said. “And if he needed to play, he could come in there and do it at a high level because of his familiarity with Reich’s system.

“But unfortunately, Carson decided to go to the Minnesota Vikings, where it would not surprise me at all to see him as Kyler Murray’s backup, not J.J. McCarthy. But now the Jets need to pivot, and honestly, there aren’t that many appealing options out there.”

Vikings Land Strong Free Agency Take Involving Stefon Diggs

For CBS Sports’ Garrett Podell, he predicts Minnesota will go for a familiar face in Stefon Diggs to fill the wideout role behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, should the veteran wide receiver resolve his legal trouble.

“Diggs’ legal trouble is likely why he remains available,” Podell wrote in his CBS Sports article published on April 3. “He pleaded not guilty to felony strangulation and other criminal charges following an alleged assault of his personal chef. Diggs’ attorney, Mitchell Schuster, claims his client is ‘completely innocent.’

“If Diggs’ legal process is resolved, a homecoming to the Minnesota Vikings makes plenty of sense. Jalen Nailor departed for the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency, so there’s an opening at Minnesota’s WR3 spot after 2022 NFL Offensive Player of the Year Justin Jefferson and former first-round pick Jordan Addison.”

…

Note: Heavy really loves to use the word “strong” in their headlines. Separately, who has not ever thought about strangling the chef? Just kidding and I hope it is not true.

Vikings Predicted to Execute ‘Savvy’ Move With Bold NFL Draft Trade

Making a lot of safe choices doesn’t usually pay off in the NFL. In his newest 2026 NFL mock draft, Fox Sports’s Rob Rang argued he has the ideal bold move for the Minnesota Vikings — selecting Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.

To grab the safety, Rang projected the Vikings to trade up to No. 10 overall in his latest mock draft.

“Some believe that safeties just aren’t valuable enough in today’s NFL to justify a top-10 selection, but I think Downs’ tape over the past three seasons proves that he is the best player in this draft class,” Rang wrote. “If he slips far enough, some savvy team is going to look brilliant. Sign me up for Downs in Brian Flores’ defense.

“Minnesota might have to give up both of their third-round picks (Nos. 82 and 97) to pull off a trade into the top 10, but as the signing of Kyler Murray proves, the Vikings aren’t afraid of bold action.”

ESPN’s Mel Kiper ranked Downs his No. 6 overall prospect in the 2026 class. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah placed Downs at No. 9 on his latest big board released on April 1.

“Downs — the brother of NFL wide receiver Josh Downs and the son of former NFL running back Gary Downs — is basically an extension of the defensive coordinator. His football knowledge shows in his play; it’s obvious when you watched him in the Ohio State defense. But what really impressed me is how well he picked up Nick Saban’s system as a 2023 freshman at Alabama before transferring,” wrote Kiper.

“He diagnoses quickly thanks to excellent pre-snap instincts, and that allows him to play faster than his straight-line speed might suggest. Plus, Downs is solid in coverage, and he is a very reliable open-field tackler.”

Minnesota Vikings’ decision to sign Kyler Murray looks even smarter now after Kirk Cousins’ contract with Las Vegas Raiders
…

Important Dates For 2026 Minnesota Vikings Revealed: Quarterback battle between Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy set to begin
What battle?

Why Is Everyone So Certain The Vikings Are Taking Dillon Thieneman?
…

The Vikings Evidently Have a Dream Draft Scenario

Yore Mock

Trade Partner: 49ers
Sent : PICK 18 (they took Monroe Freeling)
Received: PICK 27, 58
…
Trade Partner: Bengals
Sent : PICK 49, 97
Received: PICK 41, 189
…
Trade Partner: Raiders
Sent : PICK 58 (they took Gennings Dunker)
Received: PICK 67, 134
…
Trade Partner: Cowboys
Sent : PICK 163, 196
Received: PICK 152, 218
…
Trade Partner: Bills
Sent : PICK 189, 234
Received: PICK 182
…
PICK 1.27 CJ Allen LB Georgia 6’1″ 235
PICK 2.41 Christen Miller DT Georgia 6’4″ 310
PICK 3.67 Keylan Rutledge OG Georgia Tech 6’4″ 330
PICK 3.82 Dani Dennis-Sutton EDGE Penn State 6’5″ 265
PICK 4.134 Demond Claiborne RB Wake Forest 5’10” 195
PICK 5.152 VJ Payne S Kansas State 6’3″ 208
PICK 6.182 Charles Demmings CB Stephen F. Austin 6’1″ 190
PICK 7.218 Kendrick Law WR Kentucky 6’0″ 205
PICK 7.235 Tristan Leigh OT Clemson 6’6″ 310
PICK 7.244 Uar Bernard DT Nigeria 6’4″ 306

International Player Uar Bernard
Uar Bernard (pronounced “ooh-are”) measured in earlier this week at the NFL’s HBCU showcase at 6-4 1/2, 306 pounds with 11-inch hands and almost 36-inch arms. Other people who have spent their lifetimes in football say Bernard looks like a Marvel creation. Bernard’s body fat: 6 percent. He vertical-jumped 39 inches and broad-jumped 10-10, which was 14 inches more than any other defensive tackle did at this year’s combine. His 40-yard dash: 4.63.

Note: Think Jordan Mailata

…
UDFA
Max Bredeson FB Michigan 6’2″ 250
Jaydyn Ott RB Oklahoma 5’11” 208
Shad Banks Jr LB UTSA 5’11” 230
Luke Basso LS Oregon 6’3″ 246
Jake Pope OT Illinois State 6’7″ 302
Pete Nygra OC Louisville 6’4″ 300
Camden Brown WR Georgia Southern 6’2″ 200
Jaden Dugger LB Louisiana-Lafayette 6’5″ 250
Haynes King QB Georgia Tech 6’3″ 215
Shadwel Nkuba II CB Illinois State 6’1″ 190
Jacobian Guillory II DT LSU 6’2″ 318
Gabe Nwosu P Penn State 6’6″ 313 (that is not a typo – the dude is 313 lbs)

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