Bane 1.0: Vikings 7-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft
We are inching closer to the 2026 NFL Draft, and “Mock Madness” is at full steam. Theories are flying everywhere about who the Vikings (and all other NFL teams, for that matter) will select, and everyone has something to say about it, good or bad.
Today, we will tackle the Bane 1.0 mock for these Minnesota Vikings.
Trade Down! Vikings Move Down, Jets Move Up
Here is the projected trade:
- Vikings receive: Picks 33 and 44
- Jets receive: Picks 18 and 196
Minnesota trades down and tries to maximize value out of the 18th overall selection. The Day 2 depth in the draft is promising, and Minnesota will look to triple-dip on second-rounders.
Round 2, Pick 33: DI Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
Kayden McDonald could easily become the nose tackle of the future for the Minnesota Vikings. McDonald is a large man, and if you watched his game against Texas last season, you’d understand how much of a force he could truly be.
He brings size and run-stopping ability that a prospect like Florida’s Caleb Banks doesn’t. However, there isn’t a ton of upside to McDonald’s pass-rushing ability. He can have a mean bull-rush, but it about stops there. However, having him next to Jalen Redmond is an intriguing idea.
Round 2, Pick 44: CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina
If you’d like to read more about Cisse as a prospect, you’re in luck. I wrote up a profile on him earlier in the draft process, you can read here.
The Vikings simply need young talent in the secondary, and that’s no different for the corner position itself. Byron Murphy Jr., James Pierre, and Isaiah Rodgers Sr. are a fine corner trio if Brian Flores is your defensive coordinator, but don’t you want some actual young talent at some point?
Round 2 Pick 49: S A.J. Haulcy, LSU
This is a hot take, but I actually believe A.J. Haulcy could be a better pro than Dillon Thieneman. The NFL Draft community was very high on Thieneman for a while, and I never truly bought into the hype.
Not only is it a lack of confidence at the pro level in Thieneman, but maybe the Vikings shouldn’t take a safety at 18. Positional value is still a thing, and it tells you not to spend anything too crazy on safeties. The mid-second round is acceptable, and the Vikings get a fine safety in Haulcy, even with the fact that he will be 25 years old in his rookie season.
Round 3, Pick 97: C Logan Jones, Iowa
Logan Jones has climbed up draft boards lately, all the way from being a consensus fifth-round selection around a month ago.
Round 5, Pick 163: RB Kaytron Allen, Penn State
Kaytron Allen may be a bit similar to Jordan Mason as a runner; however, Mason will be a free agent after this season, as will Aaron Jones. Minnesota needs some talent in the room, and with the Jones re-signing, they don’t need to spend high capital on a running back this year (for better or worse).
Round 6, Pick 216: FB/RB/WR Eli Heidenreich, Navy
Heidenreich is one of my favorite late-round prospects in this entire class. He poses a legitimate threat at multiple spots across the offense, something Minnesota could absolutely utilize.
Don’t be fooled by his listing as FB on many outlets; he’s a Swiss-army knife.
Round 7, Pick 224: LB Jack Kelly, BYU
Kelly is definitely more of your Ivan Pace-type of linebacker; your A-gap shooting, run-stopping style of defender. Pass coverage is a major liability, but it absolutely adds depth to the linebacking corps.
Round 7, Pick 234: TE/FB Max Bredeson, Michigan
Bredeson could slot in immediately as your C.J. Ham replacement. He won’t add much in the passing game, but could be great in packages in which Minnesota will run out of.
Round 7, Pick 235: DB Jalen Huskey, Maryland
Technically, a safety, Huskey has a corner background. While he will probably just be a safety in the NFL, the versatility could be there. He best fits as a ball-hawking safety over the top in a defense that doesn’t ask its safeties to run with opposing receivers too often.
Round 7, Pick 244: WR Kaden Wetjen, Iowa
Wetjen could be a Day-1 kick or punt-returner while providing some upside as an offensive weapon. He could slot in immediately next to Myles Price on kick returns.
