The Vikings’ Firepower Appears to Lock-In Bad Outcome
Back in March of 2025, the Vikings’ firepower was supposed to get a strong boost from the compensatory picks selection process. No longer.
Nick Korte does his work for Over the Cap. Recently, the comp picks expert offered his final take on how the extra draft selections are going to get divvied up prior to the 2026 NFL Draft. At the top of the list is Minnesota, a team set to welcome a second 3rd due to losing Sam Darnold to the Seahawks. Scroll down and there doesn’t appear to be any other picks tossed into the purple coffers.
The Vikings’ Firepower Ahead of 2026 NFL Draft
At the very least, there are eight draft picks for GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
- 1st Round
- 2nd Round
- 3rd Round
- 5th Round
- 6th Round
- 7th Round
- 7th Round
- 7th Round
A few details to clarify the importance of those picks. The opening-round selection comes in at No. 18, a reasonably modest placement given that the Vikings appeared likely to earn a top-ten selection while sitting at 4-8. Firing off five-straight victories does much to undermine the chance of getting one of those coveted high selections.
Note, as well, the presence of the 2nd-Round selection.
Under Adofo-Mensah, the Vikings haven’t made many selections in the 2nd. Only a pair have been brought aboard from that round: corner Andrew Booth Jr. and guard Ed Ingram. Before the rookie deals ended, Booth and Ingram got traded away.
So, room to improve.
Something that’s important to consider is that the past version of the Vikings benefited much from the 2nd Round. All of Kyle Rudolph, Dalvin Cook, Eric Kendricks, and Brian O’Neill got added in the 2nd. Lots of value within those players, especially since Mr. O’Neill is still holding down the RT1 job (and doing quite well).
Being able to pick up a talent who exists in the same stratosphere as those aforementioned players in the 2nd Round of the 2026 NFL Draft would be a major win for the Vikings.
The cherry on top is going to be that added 3rd.
If, in theory, the Day 1 (1st Round) and Day 2 (2nd and 3rd Rounds) picks get used wisely, then Minnesota will be able to add four impact players to the roster. That’s much, much easier said than done, though it’s a possibility that’s out there. The Vikings, if nothing else, are due for some draft luck.
Consider, as well, that Korte does offer a sliver of hope for the Vikings to earn a second compensatory pick. The departure of Daniel Jones could mean seeing a 5th tossed onto the pile: “If Eric Wilson does not qualify, Minnesota gets a 5th for Daniel Jones.” Seeing that domino fall would be a nice win for the Vikings; after all, Jones got added very late in the season, mostly living on the practice squad as the QB4.
Without any trading in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Vikings would have ten selections were the Jones departure to lead to a 5th. Not too shabby.
Guessing compensatory picks is precisely that: a guess. The leading analyst — Nick Korte — sees a 3rd coming to Minnesota with an outside shot at gaining a 5th. Depending on who gets brought to the Twin Cities, the Vikings could generate some more comp picks for 2027 with departing talent.
The 2026 NFL Draft takes place from April 23rd to April 25th.
