For my first Minnesota Vikings mock draft of the season, I decided to keep it simple. The team has nine draft picks this year, including their compensatory picks, so I went straight ahead and created a tradeless draft for the Purple.
They acquired their quarterback of the present when they signed former Arizona Cardinal Kyler Murray to a one-year deal. So, I worked around the edges and selected players in the areas of greatest need. Subsequent mock drafts will include much more wheeling and dealing. This is just a little taste.
Minnesota Vikings 2026 7-round mock draft
Round 1, 18th Overall
- Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Vikings always need cornerbacks, and Delane is an excellent one. Not sure if he’ll be available at 18, but if he is, Minnesota will be overjoyed to select this sticky cover corner. Excels in man coverage but is effective in zone coverage as well. Intelligent with great field vision, he tracks quarterbacks’ actions very well. He does not have elite speed, but his top-end speed is very deceiving. If he is not available, Avieon Terrell from Clemson is the next man up.
Round 2, 49th Overall
- Lee Hunter, DL, Texas Tech
Hunter is a beast in the middle and a formidable run-stopper. He has the size and strength to win battles in the trenches and comes out of his stance with a stable low center of gravity. Probably will never excel as a pass rusher, but should take some of the pressure off Vikings tackle Jalen Redmond on shutting down the opponent’s running game.
Round 3, 82nd Overall
- A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU
Haulcy is a throwback safety with a nose for the ball and a ferocious tackling style. A very instinctive player who closes well on the hit. Does not have track speed and is most successful when playing zone coverage. He is very muscular and maintains excellent balance and body control on tackles. Should be a fitting replacement for future Vikings Hall of Famer Harrison Smith.
Round 3, 97th Overall (compensatory)
- Connor Lew, C, Auburn
Solidly built center who suffered a torn ACL injury in October of last season. Lew has strong hands and good quickness, which is especially helpful in picking up linebacker blitzes. Will need some time to recover from his injury and correct some subpar footwork. A tough, intelligent leader who exhibits great potential for future development.
Round 5, 163 (from Eagles in 2025 Sam Howell trade)
- Adam Randall, RB, Clemson
Randall is a good-sized back with solid pass-catching ability, having previously played receiver. Runs with great flexibility and balance and has the strength to force missed tackles. Inexperience shows in his delay in picking up blitzes and his lack of patience when hitting the hole on runs. Intriguing mid-round pick, whose versatility might interest a layered offense like the Vikings.
Round 6, 196th Overall (from Colts in 2025 Mekhi Blackmon trade)
- Aiden Fisher, LB, Indiana
Stronger interior defender who was a sound tackler for the Hoosiers. Natural-born leader who is football-smart and possesses great field vision. Struggles in pass coverage due to a lack of speed. Fisher should provide the Vikings with the depth they need to spell Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson.
Round 7, 234th Overall
- Tanner Koziol, TE, Houston
Koziol was a consistent performer at Houston, who possesses great hands and an expansive catch radius. Excelled at yardage after catch with an elusive running style. Will need a lot of work to shore up his blocking skills and to improve his separation from defenders. He should benefit from playing alongside the Vikings’ talented tight end T.J. Hockenson.
Round 7, 235th Overall (from Panthers in 2025 Adam Thielen trade)
- Eli Heidenreich, WR, Navy
This midshipman is a versatile player who runs disciplined routes and is also a factor as a runner out of the backfield. Tough player with pronounced field vision and glue-like hands. Concerns about Heidenreich center around his athleticism and lack of speed.
Round 7, 244th Overall (from Texans in 2024 Cam Akers trade)
- Logan Fano, Edge, Utah
Fano is a mobile defender who has the size and strength to be an effective pro player. Played equally well out of a stance or in an upright position. He needs to develop more diverse rush patterns to be an effective pass disrupter in the pros. Should contribute on special teams as a rookie. He’ll learn from the best from Vikings teammates Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Winkle.
More Vikings Mocks
Stay tuned for my next Minnesota Vikings mock draft, where I will put on my “Trader Jack” hat.
