2026 Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft: 7-Round Projection
Draft Capital: 11 picks | Overall Grade: B Last Updated: October 19, 2026Overview
Minnesota Vikings enter the 2026 NFL Draft with 11 selections. Biggest needs: Quarterback, Safety, Wide Receiver.
Complete Draft Class:- Round 1 (#31): Ahmad Hardy, Running Back, Missouri — Grade B+
- Round 2 (#62): CJ Carr, Quarterback, Notre Dame — Grade B
- Round 3 (#79): Rasheem Biles, Outside Linebacker, Texas — Grade B-
- Round 3 (#96): Yannick Smith, Wide Receiver, NA — Grade C+
- Round 5 (#149): Jaylen McClain, Safety, Ohio State — Grade C
- Round 5 (#150): LJ Martin, Running Back, BYU — Grade C-
- Round 5 (#167): Wendell Gregory, Edge Rusher, Kansas State — Grade C
- Round 5 (#171): Jalen Mayo, Cornerback, Houston — Grade C-
- Round 6 (#181): Carson Hinzman, Center, Ohio State — Grade C-
- Round 6 (#195): Desmeal Leigh, Offensive Tackle, Youngstown State — Grade C-
- Round 6 (#203): Jermaine Mathews Jr, Cornerback, Ohio State — Grade C-
Complete Pick-by-Pick Analysis
Pick #31 - Minnesota Vikings: Ahmad Hardy, Running Back, Missouri
Rank: #32 overall | Grade: B+ Why This Pick:Addresses key depth concern. While Running Back wasn't the top priority, Ahmad Hardy's talent at #32 overall was too good to pass up. Sometimes value trumps need.
The Fit:Ahmad Hardy brings immediate impact to Minnesota Vikings. Ahmad Hardy was arguably the best running back in the FBS in 2025, according to ESPN's Matt Miller, after transferring from Louisiana Monroe to Missouri. He finished second nationally with 1,649 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns at 6.4 yards per carry,... His best trait—elite contact balance with lower-body drive to break first tackles—fits perfectly with what this team needs. Projects as a Ashton Jeanty contact balance and volume-type player at the NFL level.
- Strengths: Elite contact balance with lower-body drive to break first tackles
- Weaknesses: Limited receiving usage and unproven as a third-down back
- NFL Comp: Ashton Jeanty contact balance and volume
Pick #62 - Minnesota Vikings: CJ Carr, Quarterback, Notre Dame
Rank: #39 overall | Grade: B Why This Pick:Critical need filled. Minnesota Vikings desperately needed Quarterback help (need #1), and CJ Carr was the best available at this spot. This pick addresses an immediate roster weakness.
The Fit:CJ Carr brings immediate impact to Minnesota Vikings. CJ Carr is the grandson of former Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr, and his game reads like a coach's kid: command before the snap, timing after it, and a ball that comes out clean and catchable. The redshirt sophomore took over as Notre Dame's starter... His best trait—natural, catchable ball with a quick and repeatable release—fits perfectly with what this team needs. Projects as a Trent Green accuracy and in-structure poise-type player at the NFL level.
- Strengths: Natural, catchable ball with a quick and repeatable release
- Weaknesses: Middling athlete who offers nothing as a runner when a defender meets him in space
- NFL Comp: Trent Green accuracy and in-structure poise
Pick #79 - Minnesota Vikings: Rasheem Biles, Outside Linebacker, Texas
Rank: #60 overall | Grade: B- Trade: Minnesota Vikings acquired this pick from the Philadelphia Eagles. Why This Pick:Best player available. Minnesota Vikings needed Quarterback help, but Rasheem Biles (ranked #60) represents elite value here. You can't pass on top-tier talent when it falls to you.
The Fit:Rasheem Biles brings immediate impact to Minnesota Vikings. Rasheem Biles arrives at Texas as one of the most athletic linebackers in the 2027 class after a First-Team All-ACC season in 2025. Listed at 6-1 and 225 pounds, he is a former three-star recruit who played running back, receiver and safety in high s... His best trait—athleticism that stands out against every other linebacker in the class per bucs wire's summer scouting—fits perfectly with what this team needs. Projects as a Undersized, twitchy run-and-chase linebacker in the Devin Bush mold-type player at the NFL level.
- Strengths: Athleticism that stands out against every other linebacker in the class per Bucs Wire's summer scouting
- Weaknesses: Size will come into question at 6-1 and 220 to 225 pounds, light for an every-down NFL linebacker
- NFL Comp: Undersized, twitchy run-and-chase linebacker in the Devin Bush mold
Pick #96 - Minnesota Vikings: Yannick Smith, Wide Receiver, NA
Rank: #99 overall | Grade: C+ Why This Pick:Critical need filled. Minnesota Vikings desperately needed Wide Receiver help (need #3), and Yannick Smith was the best available at this spot. This pick addresses an immediate roster weakness.
The Fit:Yannick Smith brings immediate impact to Minnesota Vikings. Yannick Smith is a 6-2, 208-pound boundary receiver who transferred from East Carolina to SMU for the 2026 season after a 44-catch, 583-yard, five-touchdown year with the Pirates. CBS Sports' Mike Renner calls his game translatable rather than flashy... His best trait—prototype boundary frame at 6-2, 208 with the size and wingspan cbs sports says gets more important in the nfl—fits perfectly with what this team needs. Projects as a Darius Slayton boundary size with vertical juice at the high end-type player at the NFL level.
- Strengths: Prototype boundary frame at 6-2, 208 with the size and wingspan CBS Sports says gets more important in the NFL
- Weaknesses: Not a standout athlete on tape, per CBS Sports
- NFL Comp: Darius Slayton boundary size with vertical juice at the high end
Pick #149: Jaylen McClain (Safety, Ohio State) - Grade C. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential. Pick #150: LJ Martin (Running Back, BYU) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential. Pick #167: Wendell Gregory (Edge Rusher, Kansas State) - Grade C. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential. Pick #171: Jalen Mayo (Cornerback, Houston) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential. Pick #181: Carson Hinzman (Center, Ohio State) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential. Pick #195: Desmeal Leigh (Offensive Tackle, Youngstown State) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential. Pick #203: Jermaine Mathews Jr (Cornerback, Ohio State) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential.