Minnesota Vikings 2026 NFL Draft Pick Order and Big Board for Top Needs

The Minnesota Vikings end the 2025 season with nine wins. At 9-8, they pick No. 18 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Each week this season, B/R NFL Scouting Dept.'s Matt Holder highlighted every team's biggest needs and potential 2026 draft prospects who could fill them.

This updated big board is a summation of the scouting done this season and before NFL teams begin the free agency process in March.

All prospect rankings reflected are the latest B/R NFL Draft Scouting Dept. Big Board.

2026 Draft Picks

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Vikings 2025 1st Round Pick Donovan Jackson

1st Round: 18 (18 overall)

2nd Round: 17 (49)

3rd Round: 18 (82), 33 (97 - Comp)

4th Round: none

5th Round: 23 (161 - via PHI)

6th Round: 15 (196 - IND)

7th Round: 18 (234), 28 (244 - via JAX)

Order via Tankathon.

Cornerback

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Clemson CB Avieon Terrell

Byron Murphy Jr. leaves something to be desired as defense's No. 1 cornerback, meaning the Vikings could use some added talent at the position for the immediate future. Also, Isaiah Rodgers is only signed through 2026, so the team could use some long-term help at that spot, too.

Avieon Terrell, Clemson (No. 20)

Malik Muhammad, Texas (No. 32)

Chandler Rivers, Duke (No. 34)

Safety

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Ohio State S Caleb Downs

Harrison Smith is likely going to retire this offseason and the sample size is too small to rely on Theo Jackson to patrol the secondary moving forward. So, Minnesota should be looking to draft a safety this spring.

Caleb Downs, Ohio State (No. 1)

Zakee Wheatley, Penn State (No. 26)

Dillon Thieneman, Oregon (No. 29)

Quarterback

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Oregon QB Dante Moore

The biggest decision the Vikings will have to make this offseason is whether or not they'll stick it out with J.J. McCarthy. An argument could be made in either direction, and how the organization feels about the 2026 quarterback class could be the deciding factor.

Dante Moore, Oregon (No. 9)

Ty Simpson, Alabama (No. 30)

Carson Beck, Miami (No. 57)

Defensive Tackle

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While the Vikings signed Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen during free agency last year, they're both in their 30s and not the players they used to be. At the least, the organization should be looking into drafting a defensive tackle that they can develop for the future and pair with the promising Jalen Redmond.

Peter Woods, Clemson (No. 10)

LT Overton, Alabama (No. 28)

A'Mauri Washington, Oregon (No. 37)

Linebacker

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Ohio State LB Sonny Styles

Eric Wilson is only on a one-year deal and will turn 32 in September. Ivan Pace Jr. has been more of a rotational player after getting benched about halfway through the season and is a restricted free agent this offseason.

Also, Blake Cashman is only signed through 2026. So, Minnesota should be looking to add a young linebacker during this year's draft.

Sonny Styles, Ohio State (No. 22)

CJ Allen, Georgia (No. 35)

Deontae Lawson, Alabama (No. 46)