Ranking the Positions the Vikings Are Likely To Pick In the First Round

We are approaching one of the more unique drafts in Minnesota Vikings history. After firing former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in late January, almost a full month after the end of the regular season, the Vikings will now likely rely on the triumvirate of Rob Brzezinski, Kevin O’Connell, and Brian Flores through the draft until they can put a proper general manager in place.

The Vikings are entering uncharted territory at a time when they need to hit on some key contributors in this draft class to maximize having Kyler Murray on a minimum deal.

So, with the number of holes on this roster, what do they look to do at pick No. 18 in the first round — assuming they stick and pick at that position? Below are the five most likely positions the Vikings will address with their first-round pick, ranked in order of most to least likely.

Defensive Tackle

We all know just how much the Vikings invested in this position last year after they brought in Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, who were cap casualties last season. Now, those two again find themselves as cap casualties for a Vikings team that was desperate for cap space and felt they could let go of the two aging players after each had a subpar season.

Despite what certain players may think, the defensive tackle position has a vital role in Brian Flores’ defense, as Jalen Redmond's impact this season highlighted. Minnesota’s room currently consists of Redmond, Levi Drake-Rodriguez, and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins. While all of these players have proven to be steals and have played well above expectations, this room is still missing that top-end player who can single-handedly wreck a game from the inside.

Given just how much defenses in recent years have emphasized pass rush in general and pressure from the inside specifically, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Vikings prioritize defensive tackle again, only in a different way. I would look at Caleb Banks, Peter Woods, or Kayden McDonald as options, either with pick No. 18 or with a slight trade down.

Safety

The Vikings have designed Harrison Smith as a post-June 1 cut to decrease his cap hit, but he could still return for next season. Either way, despite his excellent play even this late in his career, simply running it back with the same players as last season in this position group isn’t feasible.

Theo Jackson struggled in his first season as a starter while filling in for Cam Bynum, who left for Indianapolis last offseason. Meanwhile, when Smith missed time with injuries, Josh Metellus didn’t have the same impact playing deeper as a traditional safety as he did at the “Star” position that he has played in the past.

While Jay Ward showed some late-season potential, his sample size is limited. Any progress from him should be viewed as a plus rather than a foregone conclusion.

Regardless of whether Harry the Hitman returns or decides to hang it up, the Vikings must address this position in this draft. Given just how many exciting prospects this year's draft has at this position, I would bet that Minnesota’s scouting department has focused extra hard on this position.

While Ohio State’s Caleb Downs might be a pipe dream, there are two other exciting prospects in Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman and Toledo’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, who are expected to go off the board in the middle of the first round.

Tight End

Yes, I know, this one might be a bit of a shock. While not an immediate need for this team, the Vikings could need a tight end in the near future. T.J. Hockenson hasn’t looked the same since his ACL tear at the end of the 2024-25 season, and his restructured contract that makes him a free agent at the end of next season, and taking a $5 million pay cut reflects that.

Hockenson and Josh Oliver appear to be the only known quantities at this position on this team. Meanwhile, Gavin Bartholomew and Ben Yurosek will enter camp fighting for the TE3 spot.

This season's class includes Kenyon Sadiq, a generational tight end. Sadiq impressed everyone at the combine, measuring in at 6’3”, 242 lbs., and running a 4.39 40-yard dash. While he isn’t much of a blocker, given his lighter weight and relative inexperience with the skill, he’s an insane mismatch weapon that an offensive-minded coach like Kevin O’Connell would love to have.

While his combine exploits have raised his stock, if the Vikings stick and pick at 18 and had to go with the best player available, there is a world where they should take Sadiq.

Cornerback

I know most of you probably expected I would have cornerbacks much higher on this list, but there is a good reason I have them at No. 4. Over the last few seasons, Flores and Co. have made it clear they believe they can do more with less at the cornerback position.

Think back to the last draft: Everyone, myself included, expected that the Vikings would add to their paper-thin cornerback room. Not only did they not do that, but they also traded Mekhi Blackmon, leaving them with only three cornerbacks on the 53-man roster.

Compared to last season, the Vikings are much deeper at corner after moving on from Jeff Okudah. They added James Pierre, a player who many regarded as the steal of free agency. They could still add familiar names in late-stage free agency – Fabian Moreau and Jeff Okudah are both still free agents and know the system.

While this is an option, it would only delay the inevitable: adding young top-end talent to a cornerback room that has been devoid of such homegrown talent since Xavier Rhodes. Although they could and should look to take a corner in the first round, I think it is less likely than most think.

If the Vikings were to surprise me and select a corner at this position, players like Mansoor Delane, Avieon Terrell, or Jermod McCory will be first-round options.

WIDE RECEIVER

Perhaps I have gone off my rocker by going with receiver as a potential first-round pick in a room that has Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, but hear me out. Losing Jalen Nailor to the Las Vegas Raiders might be a bigger issue than it appears, given the dearth of options currently on the roster.

Remember, this is the same team that made a desperate overpay for Adam Thielen near the start of the season to secure depth at the position. While this isn’t enough to justify taking a receiver in the first round, there is another dark cloud on the horizon.

Now, they are on the verge of having to pay Addison, who has all the talent in the world but cannot seem to go one offseason without off-the-field controversy. Given how much the Denver Broncos traded for Jaylen Waddle, the Vikings could explore their options in a deal for Addison while his value is still high, avoiding paying him.

Although I think it is unlikely, it isn’t totally out of the realm of possibility. Given the questions about this year's receivers in the draft, if one of Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon, or Jordyn Tyson somehow finds their way to pick 18, the Vikings could snatch one of them up and make them Jefferson's next running mate — or recreate Three Deep.