Vikings Add Perfect Player for Brian Flores
In the first round of the draft, defensive coordinator Brian Flores got a new interior defender in Caleb Banks. The 327-pounder is envisioned to be a problem for blockers. One of his jobs will be to keep guards and centers in check and prevent them from reaching the second level.
That’s how linebackers can make plays. In the second round, the Vikings added one of those, acquiring Cincinnati’s Jake Golday with the 51st overall pick. He brings some much-needed youth to the linebacker room.
Vikings.com’s Rob Kleifield wrote, “Minnesota selected former Cincinnati linebacker Jake Golday with the 51st overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft on Friday night, providing Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores another puzzle piece after the team drafted former Florida defensive lineman Caleb Banks at 18 on Thursday.”
Golday becomes Minnesota’s third linebacker from the Bearcats, joining Eric Wilson and Ivan Pace in the Twin Cities. The new Viking is coming off a big season.
Kleifield added, “Golday began his college career at Central Arkansas and played his final two seasons at Cincinnati. He recorded 105 tackles (39 solo), including six for a loss, 3.5 sacks, three passes defended and a forced fumble in 2025, and was named a First-Team All-Big 12 after being Honorable Mention All-Big 12 in 2024.”
Linebacker was a sneaky need for the Vikings. Wilson was re-signed this year, but he’ll turn 32 in September and his three-year deal is actually a two-year contract. Furthermore, Blake Cashman is in the final year of his deal and injuries have been a problem in his Vikings tenure, but also in his entire career. He’ll also turn 30 next month.
Golday represents the future at the position, but might sneak into the lineup sooner rather than later. He brings many characteristics with him that make him a perfect fit for Brian Flores’ defense.
First of all, he has the length and the athleticism to be a long-term starter at the next level. He’s also versatile, having played as an edge rusher in the past. Flores might use him in a hybrid role early in his career, especially after the squad just traded away Jonathan Greenard.
Our own Kyle Joudry commented from Golday’s virtual presser, “Quick presser with #Vikings 2nd RD Jake Golday. Clarified that he went from DE to LB in ’23. Started at MIKE before shuffling to SAM, which he described as being similar to being a slot corner a lot of the time. So, Mr. Golday is someone who can get put in different spots.”
Ben Leber, former Vikings linebacker, compared Golday to one of his successors: Anthony Barr. He posted on social media, “For those wondering, Golday is a new version of Anthony Barr.”
Barr was a linebacker with the size and the ability to be an occasional pass-rusher from the second level. Flores is the kind of coordinator to utilize that skill set.
Dane Brugler of The Athletic wrote about Golday, “Golday was asked to operate in a ton of space in college (almost like a nickel defender), which helped showcase his gazelle-like speed to chase down the ball anywhere on the field. His mental processing took a clear jump in 2025, which was the hope during his second season as a full-time overhang linebacker. Though he had the explosive athleticism to get away with false steps in the Big 12, it won’t be that easy in the NFL. He is trending in the right direction against the pass, but his coverage recognition isn’t yet a strength.”
Golday is still a raw player, which can be explained by his inexperience at the position. He was listed 52nd on Arif Hasan’s consensus big board. The Vikings picked him just one spot earlier.
Minnesota has added some youth to the defensive unit, something the group certainly lacked.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.