Report Suggests Brian Flores Has a Surprising Draft Priority
“We’re positioned to have a significant number of draft picks,” Vikings president Mark Wilf noted on Friday. Indeed, after entering last year’s draft with only four selections, the franchise is expected to have nine picks in April. The first one of those could solidify the defensive front, with edge rusher being at the top of the list for defensive coordinator Brian Flores, a report suggests.
Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports reported this week, “While most believe the Minnesota Vikings will take a cornerback with their pick in the first round, contrary to many mock drafts around the internet, people I’ve spoken with at the Senior Bowl tell me they believe that defensive coordinator Brian Flores will push for a pass rusher with the 18th pick if a top-rated prospect falls into their laps.”
Cornerback is a popular idea among mock drafters and within the Vikings community, given the last first-round corner arrived in 2020 and the last successful one a decade ago. Flores made the thin patchwork CB group work last season, but the desire for young talent is understandable.
Still, according to Pauline, another edge rusher would be the priority for Flores. The defensive mastermind is set to return to the Twin Cities for a fourth season after missing out on the head coaching positions, barring a surprise plot twist late in the process.
The Vikings already employ an excellent trio on the edges, with 2024 Pro Bowlers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel, and 2024 first-rounder Dallas Turner, who made a massive step forward in the second half of the 2025 campaign.
Behind those three, however, there’s not much depth. Guys like Bo Richter and Chaz Chmbliss are primarily special teamers. When Greenard or Van Ginkel missed time with injuries, Flores deployed middle linebacker Eric Wilson and interior defender Jalen Redmond on the edges.
That’s where an additional body makes sense. If all three are healthy, the rookie would have a hard time getting on the field, similarly to Turner in 2024. But if one of them is out, he’d suddenly play a massive role.
There are also age and contract implications to consider.
Pauline, who covers the draft circuit, added, “Even though the Vikings’ defense fielded one of the better pass rushes in the league last season, 30-year-old Andrew Van Ginkel is in the final year of his contract, and Flores wants quantity at the position, believing a good pass rush covers deficiencies in the secondary.”
Before the 2026 season kicks off, Greenard will turn 29 and Van Ginkel 31. The Vikings could ultimately benefit from pairing Turner, who has yet to turn 23, with a long-term running mate.
While January is still too early to focus on names, this year’s draft features several prospects with first-round expectations, including Rueben Bain (Miami), David Bailey (Texas Tech) and Keldric Faulk (Auburn), who aren’t expected to be around when the Vikings draft 18th overall. Granted, neither were Dallas Turner and Jared Verse in 2024 and they went 17th and 19th.
Other guys with first-round buzz are Cashius Howell (Texas A&M) and T.J. Parker (Clemson). They could be realistic targets in the second half of the first round.
Whether that ultimately happens will depend on how the board falls, but Pauline’s report offers a clearer glimpse into how Flores might approach the draft. Cornerback may dominate mock drafts, yet the Vikings’ coaching staff could prioritize pressure up front instead. If a top edge prospect is sitting there at No. 18, don’t be surprised if Minnesota strengthens its pass rush before addressing the secondary.