5 Vikings Draft Predictions: Ten Picks, Time for Trenches, and No to Thieneman
The Vikings draft predictions won’t be too hard to find, not with the event less than a week away. Even still, consider how things are going to unfold.
Minnesota is moving into the event with nine draft picks. The most promising picks arrive in the 1st (No. 18), the 2nd (No. 49), and 3rd (No. 82 & No. 97). On a basic level, Minnesota has some broad ideas that need to get sorted out, but getting more specific is the current task at hand. Go ahead and look into a crystal ball.
5 Vikings Draft Predictions
No. 1 — The Vikings Begin with Nine but Finish with Ten Picks
The Vikings are the proud owner of these draft picks:
- RD1: No. 18
- RD2: No. 49
- RD3: No. 82
- RD3: No. 97
- RD5: No. 163
- RD6: No. 196
- RD7: No. 234
- RD7: No. 235
- RD7: No. 244
As a result of some trading, the Vikings end up increasing the amount of picks, swelling from nine to ten. Even better, an extra pick gets tossed into the mix for 2027.
No. 2 — A Player on the Roster is Traded Away
The players whom I’m monitoring:
- LB Ivan Pace Jr
- OT Walter Rouse
- EDGE Jonathan Greenard
Shipping out a player such as Greenard means getting a 2nd, 3rd, or some combination of reasonably good picks. Opting to trade either or Pace or Rouse means a late-round selection.
The crazy scenario: shipping out a player on Minnesota’s roster before making a move for Dexter Lawrence.
No. 3 — Just Say No to Dillon Thieneman
Round up the full array of draft analysts, prognosticators, and writers in the industry. Ask them to decide between Dillon Thieneman versus every other NFL prospect at No. 18. Does the Oregon safety still get most of the votes?
Allow me to zig while seemingly everyone zags.
Opting for a Round 1 safety doesn’t cause many concerns in my mind. Yes, there’s a chance of choosing Lewis Cine, but there’s also a chance of choosing Harrison Smith. Quibbles about the value of the position — being a safety — shouldn’t inspire nightmares. What’s more fascinating is whether a corner, defensive tackle, linebacker, tight end, or any other position wins out.
My actual belief? Just that the Vikings are very open to a trade down, a move that could involve losing the chance to snag Thieneman.
No. 4 — A New C1 by Friday Night
In the NFL, and life more broadly, there’s a vast difference between could and should. Blake Brandel could play center. Should he?
Draft nerds have been uplifting four centers going into the 2026 NFL Draft: Logan Jones, Jake Slaughter, Connor Lew, and Sam Hecht (check out Jordan Reid’s ranking to get a sense of the options). Based on Minnesota’s past preference, Jones looks like the ideal fit as a smaller option who boasts elite athleticism.
No. 5 — A Linebacker is Picked in RD2
Ohio State LB Sonny Styles is going to be long gone by No. 18. So be it. The Vikings will address the shortcoming at linebacker in the 2nd Round. Names to know:
- Jacob Rodriguez
- Jake Golday
- C.J. Allen
Presumably, there are others who exist in that range, but those three seem like reasonably attractive options. Tossing a young ‘backer over to Coach Flores makes a lot of sense given the age of the starting pair (Blake Cashman & Eric Wilson) alongside the recent decline in Pace.
Left to your author, Rodriguez would be the choice.
