The time has arrived. NFL Draft Day 2026. The anticipation is almost over, and NFL fans are anxious to see how their hometown team fares over the next three days. Mountains of speculation and millions of mock drafts all culminate in this weekend’s event at Pittsburgh’s Point State Park and Acrisure Stadium.

Hopes and fears abound; tension mounts to see who will drop the furthest in the draft. What player(s) are surprised when they hear their names called in the first round? What blockbuster trades can we expect tonight? It’s all right around the corner for your viewing pleasure.

Minnesota Vikings 2026 7-Round Mock Draft 4.0

Round 1, 18th Overall

• Trade

The Vikings begin their 2026 draft by trading their Nos. 18 and 163 and picks to the Seattle Seahawks for the Hawks’ Nos. 32, 64, and 96 picks.

Round 1, 29th Overall

• Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

Tall, rangy safety who causes fits for opposing tight ends due to his height and agility. Anticipates patterns well and possesses quick lateral movements, so he excels at jumping routes. Great hands and footwork, and doesn’t get handsy in coverage. Stays at home and plays the run well, frequently punching the ball loose from running backs. Not afraid to lower the boom on receiving targets over the middle. A bit skinny, but has quiet leadership abilities. Would be a perfect draft replacement for future Hall of Famer Harrison Smith.

Round 2, 56th Overall

• Christen Miller, DL, Georgia

Quick movement off the snap helps him invade gaps and close down running plays. Strongly built lineman who moves surprisingly well for his size. Uses hands effectively to ward off opposing blockers. Versatile athlete who played every position across the defensive line at Georgia. He did not put up great sack numbers in college, but draft projections point to him as an effective three-down player. Will help solidify a need position for the Vikings.

Round 2, 64th Overall

• Keionte Scott, CB, Miami (FL)

Played safety in college, but has the skills to move around the secondary. Exceptionally quick, disruptive tackle who hits with the force of a linebacker. Scott anticipates pass patterns well and is tenacious in his pursuit of ball carriers. Explosive, impactful blitzer who brings exceptional heat for a player his size. Most pre-draft projections label him as a very effective future NFL nickelback

Round 3, 82nd Overall

• Mike Washington JR, RB, Arkansas

Same as the last mock draft. Washington is a two-way threat with breakaway speed who is big enough to overpower opposing safeties and cornerbacks. A real threat out of the backfield as he can take a swing pass to the house. Washington needs to be more decisive when hitting the holes and more aggressive in his pass blocking. Playing behind Vikings’ backs, Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason will give him time to develop.

Round 3, 96th Overall (compensatory)

• Kaleb Elarms-Orr, LB, TCU

Elarms-Orr plays with quickness and moves well laterally. Explosive at the point of contact and finishes off his tackles effectively. Needs to mature and grow more confident as a pass defender. Will have time to grow into the position with the tutelage of veteran Vikings linebackers Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson. Draft projections note that he could help immediately on special teams, with potential to be an eventual starter.

Round 3, 97th Overall

• Jake Slaughter, C, Florida

Might be the best center in the draft.  Won’t bowl you over with any particular skill, but has a solid overall game and is a proficient blocker in both phases of an offense. He has good size, a solid base, moves laterally well, and uses his hands effectively to ward off would-be defenders. Slaughter is football intelligent, plays with passion, and is a natural-born leader.

Round 6, 196th Overall (from Colts in 2025 Mekhi Blackmon trade)

• Joe Royer, TE, Cincinnati

Sturdy tight end who moves fluidly for his size. Has soft hands and is not afraid to make the catch in traffic. Royer had impressive numbers at Cincinnati with yards after catch. Does not hesitate to mix it up on run blocks and has been very effective at sealing off would-be tacklers. Will take some time to develop, but projects as a solid NFL starter or, at worst, a complementary TE2.

Round 7, 234th Overall

• Jordan Hudson, WR, SMU

Quick and agile, and a disciplined route runner. Plays with excellent balance and adjusts well with the ball in the air. Improved every year in college and has the ability to catch passes at all three levels of the field. Speed and strength are not ideal, but Hudson is very coachable and is a hard worker. Draft projections indicate that he needs to refine his skills, but he has the overall skills to compete at the NFL level.

Round 7, 235th Overall (from Panthers in 2025 Adam Thielen trade)

• AAMIL WAGNER, OT, Notre Dame

He features a massive arm length with tremendous lateral movement. Keeps his feet moving on blocks and extends well to control defenders. Wagner is a competitive athlete and a natural leader. His base is not strong, his technique is stiff, and he blocks in an upright manner. Probably not enough talent to be an NFL starter, but the Vikings are in real need of a swing tackle to fill in for Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill.

Round 7, 244th Overall (from Texans in 2024 Cam Akers trade)

• Tyre West Edge, Indiana

Moves rapidly after the snap, using superior hand strength to control defenders. Plays a physical game, has outstanding leverage, and shows a burst at the point of contact. Lower body movements are stiff, and he needs to disengage from blocks more effectively. Projects as a rotational pass-rush specialist who could help a team looking for outside pass rush pressure.

2026 NFL Draft

I wish you all luck this weekend as your favorite team drafts its future stars.