What Is the Upside (And Downside) Of Each Vikings Pick?

The NFL draft has concluded after three action-packed days, leaving us with perhaps the longest dry period of the offseason. We will be starved for any Minnesota Vikings content until late July, when training camp kicks off.

Despite this, it’s always a fun exercise to look at the recently acquired draft picks and recklessly speculate on their potential ceilings and floors as players. I’m going pick by pick, walking through each selection and giving you the best- and worst-case scenarios for each.

Round 1: Caleb Banks, DT

Most Vikings fans were surprised to see Minnesota pick someone not named Dillon Thieneman in the first round. However, when that surprise wore off, fans quickly congregated into two groups.

One group sees the potential that the hulking defensive tackle has to be one of the true game-wreckers at his size. The other looks at Banks’ two foot fractures in the past year and is skeptical of his ability to stay on the field long enough to make an impact.

Well, let me address both groups right here.

Ceiling: Perennial Pro-Bowl three-Down Interior Lineman

Even as a ceiling, a perennial Pro Bowl three-down interior lineman is a lofty expectation for a player. However, Banks possesses a combination of size and speed that only a few players at the NFL level have.

He has a 99th percentile wingspan, 95th percentile weight, and 91st percentile height for a defensive tackle, while having a first step that you would expect from an undersized pass-rushing specialist.

What is really intriguing about it is that he played the pass and run with the same level of intensity. While he needs to work on tackling form and adding more pass-rush moves to his arsenal, these are all things we have seen players improve on as they enter the NFL.

Floor: Often Injured Pass-Rush Specialist

A lot of this floor depends on whether Banks’ medical red flags turn out to be bigger issues than the Vikings think. Banks looked a lot slower in his last two games when he rushed back from a broken foot, and this should be a concern for the Vikings if the injury still lingers, because he has already reinjured the same foot once.

That would also mean less time to refine his technique in tackling and pass-rush moves, hindering his development and making him a one-trick pony that can mostly be used against the pass, something like Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave this past season.

Round 2: Jake Golday, LB

Probably the pick I found most confusing in the entire draft, the Vikings took Jake Golday in the second round, joining Eric Wilson and Ivan Pace as former University of Cincinnati linebackers.

The Golday pick comes on the heels of the Vikings extending Wilson after what might have been his best season in the NFL when he took over for Ivan Pace as a starter. The Vikings clearly like Golday, selecting him over highly touted players at positions of greater need.

Ceiling: Starting Outside Linebacker/Long-Term Eric Wilson Replacement

Since Golday is a bit of a project pick, he won’t immediately replace Wilson. Still, given his production in his first season as an off-ball linebacker, there’s reason for the Vikings to like what they see. Golday has shown he can be a useful pass rusher and run defender, using his rare combination of size and speed to good use.

While his technique in coverage and ability to shed blocks could use work, a season or two learning behind Wilson should prove useful as he looks to establish himself as the future of this position.

Floor: Special Teamer With Limited Defensive Value

Golday plays with the same level of intensity on every play, making him a useful special teams player. His floor primarily concerns Golday playing edge rusher in college with little success.

He’s only played one season at outside linebacker, which might make it hard for him to pick up the position at the NFL level. That could lead him to default back to a position he has played before and wasn’t great at. Realistically, this pick and the development associated with it are closely tied to how long Brian Flores remains in the organization and his vision for the defense.

Round 3: Domonique Orange, DT

After taking Banks in the first round, the Vikings doubled down at the defensive tackle position, selecting Domonique “Big Citrus” Orange with their first of three third-round picks. This pick has perhaps the clearest vision behind it.

Big Citrus is a throwback to a bygone era as a run-stuffing specialist. The Vikings took addressing the interior of the line to heart, adding him and Banks to get some much-needed size on a unit that lacked it.

Ceiling: two-Down Lineman With Pass-Rush Upside

Probably the most clear ceiling of any of the draft picks, Orange already has the size and proven ability to be a premier run stuffer. Even when he himself isn’t getting on the box score, he’s preventing interior linemen from getting to the second level, making his linebacker's job a lot easier.

The real development for Big Citrus to reach its potential will need to be on the pass-rush side. While he likely will never be a premier pass rusher, recording just one sack in four seasons, he needs to develop some ability to at least help collapse the pocket.

Floor: Run Stuffer With Weight Issues

While his size is one of his biggest positives, it has hindered him in the past. He has had to constantly shed weight and get into playing shape. One concern the Vikings will need to note is that his missed tackle rate increased in his final season, but outside that, as long as he stays in playing shape, he will find a role as an early-down lineman.

Round 3: Caleb Tiernan, OT

Ceiling: Starting Right Guard

Tiernan played tackle at Northwestern. However, given his shorter wingspan, I, like most people, think that he projects better as a guard.

Although the Vikings paid Will Fries last offseason, they have a potential out in his contract at the end of this upcoming season. Tiernan could be the long-term solution at his position. He has incredible technique in pass protection. With a year of practice, he could convert to full-time, allowing the Vikings to gain more financial flexibility.

Floor: Backup Guard/Tackle

He likely will not be the first guard or tackle off the bench this season; Ryan Van Demark and Blake Brandel should have those positions. He could definitely develop into a key piece off the bench. While it is hard to predict the true worst-case scenario for a player like him, he has succeeded despite some physical limitations and could be a very nice piece off the bench.

Round 3: Jakobe Thomas, S

Thomas is a big-hitting safety who doesn’t shy away from physical contact and loves to get down and dirty when bringing down ball carriers. Thomas is a young spark in a room that needed some rejuvenation, given the uncertainty around Harrison Smith and whether he will return.

While some fans were still sulking about not taking a safety in Round 1, Thomas' highlights give them a reason to get excited.

Ceiling: Starting Safety/Cam Bynum Role

Most people will look at the highlights of the big hits that Thomas laid out on ball carriers and immediately think of him as the Harrison Smith replacement.

Instead, he looks a bit more suited to the Cam Bynum role. Thomas is much better in coverage than against the run, reading quarterbacks' eyes well and using his ball skills to come up with interceptions. His ability to lay a hit is also something Bynum was able to do, just ask D.J. Moore.

Floor: Special Teamer

While he’s good in coverage and can lay players out, Thomas has a missed-tackle issue and struggles as a box defender against the run. Thomas will need to add some strength before getting consistent reps in the NFL as a starter. His willingness to get downhill and make plays could be useful on the punt coverage and kick coverage unit. Still, this unit will also need tackling.

Round 5: Max Bredeson, FB

Minnesota’s first pick of Day 3 came in Round 5 when they took Michigan fullback/tight end Max Bredeson. Some were surprised to see the Vikings address fullback relatively early. Still, given the addition of Frank Smith to the coaching group and the retirement of C.J. Ham, it made some sense to get the fullback of their choice.

Ceiling: Long-Term C.J. Ham Replacement

A two-time team captain at Michigan and the 2025 winner of the LowMan trophy, Bredeson was an integral piece of Michigan’s run game in their 2023 championship run, serving as Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards’ lead blocker. Bredeson would also come in on third downs for pass protection, showing his ability to meet linebackers head-on in passing and running situations.

The Vikings will need someone to replace Ham, and Bredeson will have the inside track at being the starting fullback next season.

Floor: Cut/Practice Squad

While it’s more than likely that Bredeson will be the starting fullback, Day 3 picks aren’t necessarily guaranteed to make the team. The Vikings will likely audition other prospective fullbacks in training camp and preseason. If they find one of these more suitable, Minnesota could cut Bredeson or put him on the practice squad.

Round 5: Charles Demmings, CB

The Vikings moved up to land Demmings, a long, lengthy, cornerback from Stephen F. Austin. Demmings adds some much-needed youth and length to Minnesota’s cornerback room, which is filled with smaller, older corners.

Ceiling: Future Starting Outside Corner

When you turn on the tape, you can see just why the Vikings moved up to land Demmings. He is a prototypical physical press-man cornerback who has the speed and ball skills to be a game-changer. Demmings has all the tools and traits to develop into an outside cornerback in Brian Flores’ scheme when Byron Murphy or James Pierre age out of the defense.

Floor: Special Teams Gunner

The biggest question about Demmings is if he will be able to adjust from Southland conference receivers to NFL talent. While Demmings has the traits to be successful, he needs to actualize them and adjust to the NFL. Demmings' speed and effort should make him a punt team gunner or at least in contention for the position on Day 1.

Round 6: Demond Claiborne, RB

Possibly the most exciting pick of the draft, the Vikings took Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne in the sixth round, providing the backfield with a home run hitting element they have been missing.

Ceiling: Running Back By Committee

I would love to say his ceiling is a starting running back in the NFL. Unfortunately, I think his lack of size and below-average pass protection make it hard for Claiborne to be an all-around back in the NFL. Still, he has excellent vision and speed.

With Jones on a revised one-year contract and at his advanced age, the Vikings could look to take some of his reps and give them to Claiborne, creating a new duo of Claiborne and Jordan Mason for the future.

Floor: Kick Return Specialist/Practice Squad

Last season, the Vikings kept four running backs on the roster. However, they had Ty Chandler or Aaron Jones inactive due to injury in all but one game, making them functionally a three-back team for most of the season. If Claiborne fails to beat out Xavier Scott, he could end up on the outside looking in, needing to fill another role like kick returner.

Though the Vikings already have Myles Price in this role, he and Tai Felton struggled to hold on to the ball throughout the season. With the new kickoff format introduced last season, we have seen two return men line up back to field kicks. While Claiborne also has issues with ball security, he provides a much higher upside as a return man.

Round 7: Gavin Gerhardt, C

The Vikings wrapped up their draft, as they did last year, by selecting someone named Gavin. Gavin Gerhardt spent almost half a decade at the center for the Cincinnati Bearcats, where he was a three-time captain and anchored an offensive line that was one of the best in the nation. Gerhardt joins a center room that is a bit murky, with Blake Brandel and Michael Jurgens currently on the roster after Ryan Kelly retired.

Ceiling: Starting Day 1

Gerhardt starting immediately might sound crazy, but is it?

Brandel has had just a handful of games at the center position and has struggled at times with providing accurate snaps, and Jurgens hasn’t taken his opportunity to make the center position his. Gerhardt has had years of experience on the offensive line at a high level and has good size and strength at the position.

Realistically, he has an uphill battle to win the starting spot. Still, I don’t see why the Vikings coaching staff would hesitate to give him an advanced role, given his age, college pedigree, and experience at the position.

Floor: Cut/Practice Squad

Most seventh-round picks are a true coin flip to make the team. Given his lack of positional versatility, if Gerhardt fails to beat out one of Jurgens or Brandel in training camp, the Vikings will likely cut him. He could be a prime practice squad candidate and gameday elevation in case of injuries at the center position throughout the season.