2026 Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft: 7-Round Projection

By StickToTheModel Draft Team | Published: December 08, 2025 | Updated: September 07, 2026 | 5 min read

Category: Mock Drafts

2026 Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft: 7-Round Projection

Draft Capital: 9 picks | Overall Grade: B Last Updated: September 07, 2026

Overview

Minnesota Vikings enter the 2026 NFL Draft with 9 selections. Biggest needs: Quarterback, Running Back, Safety.

Complete Draft Class:

Round 1 (#15): LaNorris Sellers, Quarterback, South Carolina — Grade B

Round 2 (#47): Damon Wilson Jr, Edge Rusher,

Miami

— Grade B

Round 3 (#79): Ty Benefield, Safety, LSU — Grade C+

Round 3 (#86): Mark Fletcher Jr, Running Back,

Miami

— Grade C+

Round 4 (#137): Eli Bowen, Nickel Cornerback,

Oklahoma

— Grade C

Round 5 (#143): Taylor Wein, Defensive Line,

Oklahoma

— Grade C

Round 5 (#163): Drew Azzopardi, Offensive Tackle,

Washington

— Grade C-

Round 6 (#184): Anthony Donkoh, Offensive Guard,

Penn State

— Grade C-

Round 6 (#214): Nyziah Hunter, Wide Receiver,

Nebraska

— Grade C-

View Full 3-Round Mock Draft →

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Complete Pick-by-Pick Analysis

Pick #15 - Minnesota Vikings: LaNorris Sellers, Quarterback, South Carolina

Rank: #33 overall | Grade: B Why This Pick:

Critical need filled. Minnesota Vikings desperately needed Quarterback help (need #1), and LaNorris Sellers was the best available at this spot. This pick addresses an immediate roster weakness.

The Fit:

LaNorris Sellers brings immediate impact to Minnesota Vikings. LaNorris Sellers is the most physically gifted quarterback in the 2027 class, a 6'3", 242-pound dual-threat with linebacker-frame size and 22-plus mph GPS-tracked speed. Scouts comp him to Daunte Culpepper with shades of young Ben Roethlisberger and... His best trait—linebacker-build frame at 6'3" 242 with elite contact balance, led fbs in forced missed tackles and yac from week 9 on in 2024—fits perfectly with what this team needs. Projects as a Daunte Culpepper (size/build/run-pass duality per Jeremiah)-type player at the NFL level.

Strengths: Linebacker-build frame at 6'3" 242 with elite contact balance, led FBS in forced missed tackles and YAC from Week 9 on in 2024

Weaknesses: Slow progressions, gets stuck on his first read and bails to scrambling instead of climbing to second/third option

NFL Comp: Daunte Culpepper (size/build/run-pass duality per Jeremiah)

Full scouting report for LaNorris Sellers → | See Minnesota Vikings 7-round draft →

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Pick #47 - Minnesota Vikings: Damon Wilson Jr, Edge Rusher,

Miami

Rank: #43 overall | Grade: B Why This Pick:

Addresses key depth concern. While Edge Rusher wasn't the top priority, Damon Wilson Jr's talent at #43 overall was too good to pass up. Sometimes value trumps need.

The Fit:

Damon Wilson Jr is a Edge Rusher who can contribute immediately in Minnesota Vikings's system. His college production and athleticism profile suggest he'll succeed at the next level. Evaluators see him as a day-one contributor.

Strengths: Adequate athleticism, decent production, developmental upside

Weaknesses: Limited upside, concerns about ceiling

NFL Comp: Von Miller / Micah Parsons

Full scouting report for Damon Wilson Jr → | See Minnesota Vikings 7-round draft →

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Pick #79 - Minnesota Vikings: Ty Benefield, Safety, LSU

Rank: #80 overall | Grade: C+ Why This Pick:

Critical need filled. Minnesota Vikings desperately needed Safety help (need #3), and Ty Benefield was the best available at this spot. This pick addresses an immediate roster weakness.

The Fit:

Ty Benefield brings immediate impact to Minnesota Vikings. Ty Benefield is a long, downhill safety who spent three seasons carving out a reputation at Boise State before transferring to LSU as the No. 2 safety in the portal. He is a 32-game starter with over 600 snaps of experience split across the slot, the... His best trait—positional versatility with 600-plus snaps across slot, box, and deep safety—fits perfectly with what this team needs. Projects as a AJ Haulcy (SI, framed as Benefield's direct replacement at LSU with a similar versatile skill set and even stronger man coverage)-type player at the NFL level.

Strengths: Positional versatility with 600-plus snaps across slot, box, and deep safety

Weaknesses: Not a super physical or violent hitter despite the size

NFL Comp: AJ Haulcy (SI, framed as Benefield's direct replacement at LSU with a similar versatile skill set and even stronger man coverage)

Full scouting report for Ty Benefield → | See Minnesota Vikings 7-round draft →

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Pick #86 - Minnesota Vikings: Mark Fletcher Jr, Running Back,

Miami

Rank: #90 overall | Grade: C+ Trade: Minnesota Vikings acquired this pick from the Philadelphia Eagles. Why This Pick:

Critical need filled. Minnesota Vikings desperately needed Running Back help (need #2), and Mark Fletcher Jr was the best available at this spot. This pick addresses an immediate roster weakness.

The Fit:

Mark Fletcher Jr is a Running Back who can contribute immediately in Minnesota Vikings's system. His college production and athleticism profile suggest he'll succeed at the next level. Evaluators see him as a day-one contributor.

Strengths: Good fundamentals, solid work ethic

Weaknesses: Developmental project

NFL Comp: Najee Harris / David Montgomery

Full scouting report for Mark Fletcher Jr → | See Minnesota Vikings 7-round draft →

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Pick #137: Eli Bowen (Nickel Cornerback,

Oklahoma

) - Grade C. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential.

Pick #143: Taylor Wein (Defensive Line,

Oklahoma

) - Grade C. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential.

Pick #163: Drew Azzopardi (Offensive Tackle,