2026 Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft: 7-Round Projection
Draft Capital: 9 picks | Overall Grade: B Last Updated: June 08, 2026Overview
Minnesota Vikings enter the 2026 NFL Draft with 9 selections. Biggest needs: Safety, Cornerback, Defensive Line.
Complete Draft Class:---
Complete Pick-by-Pick Analysis
Pick #18 - Minnesota Vikings: Dillon Thieneman, Safety, Oregon
Rank: #18 overall | Grade: A- Why This Pick:Minnesota reaches two spots for a safety because safety was the No. 1 need and the next tier of the position drops off quickly. Thieneman's production is the reason this isn't a panic move -- a former walk-on who shattered Purdue's freshman tackle and interception records before transferring to Oregon.
The Fit:At 6'0", 205 pounds, Thieneman is a true three-down safety who has averaged north of 100 tackles in each of his full seasons and plays with the kind of sideline-to-sideline urgency that defensive coordinators covet. His 210 career tackles, 6 INT, and open-field tackling grade all scream three-down starter. The concern is his average long speed and fluidity in single-high looks, but for a defense that wants a box-capable safety who can also rotate down to nickel, Thieneman is the answer.
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Pick #49 - Minnesota Vikings: D'angelo Ponds, Nickel Cornerback, Indiana
Rank: #50 overall | Grade: B Why This Pick:Best player available. Minnesota Vikings needed Safety help, but D'angelo Ponds (ranked #50) represents elite value here. You can't pass on top-tier talent when it falls to you.
The Fit:D'angelo Ponds brings immediate impact to Minnesota Vikings. D'Angelo Ponds is an undersized but ultra-competitive cornerback whose elite athleticism and ball skills have made him one of the most productive defensive backs in college football. At 5'9", 170 pounds, Ponds is a massive size outlier at the positio... His best trait—elite speed verified by 10.47 100-meter dash time—fits perfectly with what this team needs. Projects as a Fits aggressive systems like Miami, Philadelphia, San Francisco-type player at the NFL level.
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Pick #82 - Minnesota Vikings: Mike Washington Jr, Running Back, Arkansas
Rank: #84 overall | Grade: C+ Why This Pick:Addresses key depth concern. While Running Back wasn't the top priority, Mike Washington Jr's talent at #84 overall was too good to pass up. Sometimes value trumps need.
The Fit:Mike Washington Jr brings immediate impact to Minnesota Vikings. Mike Washington Jr is a late-blooming physically imposing running back who traveled an unconventional path from two-star recruit at Buffalo to New Mexico State to finally breaking out at Arkansas in the SEC. At 6-0.5 and 228 pounds he has a muscle-bo... His best trait—power and physicality with muscle-bound frame built to absorb contact—fits perfectly with what this team needs. Projects as a Latavius Murray-type player at the NFL level.
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Pick #97 - Minnesota Vikings: Deion Burks, WRS, Oklahoma
Rank: #97 overall | Grade: C+ Why This Pick:Best player available. Minnesota Vikings needed Safety help, but Deion Burks (ranked #97) represents elite value here. You can't pass on top-tier talent when it falls to you.
The Fit:Deion Burks brings immediate impact to Minnesota Vikings. Deion Burks has established himself as an explosive slot receiver prospect despite his undersized 5-9, 191-pound frame, showcasing remarkable strength and athleticism that compensates for his height limitations. After limited production in 2024 with... His best trait—elite strength metrics for receiver position - 350-pound bench for 3 reps, 450-pound squat for 3 reps demonstrates functional power—fits perfectly with what this team needs. Projects as a nan-type player at the NFL level.
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Pick #163: Bryce Boettcher (Inside Linebacker, Oregon) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential. Pick #196: Cade Klubnik (Quarterback, Clemson) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential. Pick #234: Will Kacmarek (Tight End, Ohio State) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential. Pick #235: Anez Cooper (Offensive Guard, Miami (FL)) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential. Pick #244: Cian Slone (Edge Rusher, NC State) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential.---
Draft Class Summary
Overall Grade: B | 9 positions addressed across 9 picks.---