The draft is over and most of the grades are in and they are kind of middle of the road. Most are at a C which could be worse if everyone else gets As and Bs. But who really cares if other folks do not say nice things about the team? Are you truly a fan that lives for draft grades? It all amounts to a big fart sound!
I think the draft was excellent when you consider the moves they made (and did not make) this offseason. I know some will think I am a homer pushing the company line but you really do
not know me or my history since 2009 on this site. I have been very critical most of the time because I obviously think I can do a better job. What kind of wanna-be GM would I be if I did not think this way?
Anyway, I digress. The team let their two veteran defensive tackles go and did not sign one veteran to replace them which left most of us wondering WTF was going on. We tried to talk ourselves into the current defensive tackles on the roster but deep down we knew we were in more trouble than a little bit. We still could be depending on these youts.
I suppose we should have seen the writing on the wall and should have known they would target defensive tackles in this draft.
Caleb Banks is the gem of this draft and his injury has scared off many who probably have not even bothered to get more information before casting their judgments. He recorded a 12.1% pressure rate and a combined 53 quarterback pressures during the 2023 and 2024 seasons at Florida. His pass rush production peaked in 2024, where he led the Gators with 29 pressures and achieved a 20% win rate on true pass sets. His 20% win rate on true pass sets in 2024 ranked in the 88th percentile for interior defensive linemen.
Domonique Orange is categorized as a high-level run-stopper with a 80.4 career run-defense grade. While his 2025 seasonal grade of 67.4 ranked lower than the top tier (472nd among interior defenders), his two-year body of work places him among the top 20 Power Four interior defenders for run defense. Unlike the more mobile Lee Hunter, Orange spent over 90% of his snaps at the 0-1 technique (aligned over the center), making him a specialized “anchor” for 3-3-5 or odd-front defenses. His impact is often felt more through disruption than production. While Kayden McDonald led the class with a 13.8% run-stop rate, Orange’s value is tied to “dirty work”—occupying double teams so linebackers can flow to the ball.
With these two picks the Vikings have added the best pass rushing defensive tackle in this class and one of the top run defenders as well. That is excellent work. We hope they both pan out but based on the evidence, the decisions are about the best you could make IMO. The only worry is the foot on Caleb banks. There is nothing anyone can say that will change the minds of those whose minds are already made up. Here is a video from a Vikings fan and a foot doctor discussing in detail the type of injury Banks had …
Once you dive into the Golday pick and see the comments made by KOC, you realize that they are envisioning him to replace AVG eventually.
Last year Golday lined up everywhere on Cincinnati’s defense. Per PFF, he was in the box as a linebacker for 314 snaps, the slot on 248 snaps and on the D-line for 117 snaps.
If that sounds like Andrew Van Ginkel, you’re exactly right. It’s almost spooky how similar the two players are in size and athleticism too. Van Ginkel is 6-foot-4, 240 pounds and had a 38-inch vertical and 6.89 3-Cone drill at the NFL Combine, showing off his footwork and quickness. Golday is 6-foot-4, 240 pounds and had a 39-inch vertical and 7.02 3-Cone drill.
Golday was an elite run defender in college football with a 90.6 PFF run defense grade and he had a quality 77.5 PFF coverage grade. He was targeted 35 times and only allowed 217 yards into his coverage. As a pass rusher, the Bearcat added 18 QB pressures and produced 3.5 sacks.
He’s a very experienced player as well with over 2,000 snaps of college football.
I liked the Tiernan pick as well and I do not believe the team is going to use him at guard. He is almost 6’8″ and would be one of the two tallest guards in the NFL. It probably is worse to have defensive tackles get under his pads rather than edge rushers get around him because his arms are 3 quarters of an inch shorter than the minimum.
Notable Tackles with Sub-33 Inch Arms
Rashawn Slater (33″): Although just at the typical cutoff, Slater faced heavy “short arm” criticism coming out of Northwestern. He became an All-Pro left tackle for the Chargers immediately, proving that technical refinement can nullify length concerns.
Braden Smith (32 1/4″): The Colts’ long-time starting right tackle has the exact same arm length as Tiernan. He has been a consistent, high-level performer despite being in the bottom percentile for reach.
Alaric Jackson (32 1/2″): A key starter for the Rams’ offensive line who has successfully protected the blind side with sub-33 inch arms.
Justin Pugh (32″): Drafted in the first round by the Giants, Pugh started at tackle early in his career despite having shorter arms than Tiernan. While he eventually moved to guard, he proved capable of holding his own on the edge.
Luke Goedeke (32 1/4″): The Buccaneers’ starting tackle also shares Tiernan’s measurements and has solidified himself as a reliable NFL starter.
I liked Thomas when I watched Miami. Others liked him too.
Daniel Jeremiah (NFL Network): Identified Thomas as a notable sleeper early in the draft cycle, specifically praising him as a player who “plays fast and physical”.
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The State of the U: Reported that while he worked “quietly and without fanfare,” multiple analysts tracking the Miami class called him the “gem of the entire group” and a player teams would regret passing on.
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Sporting News: Listed Thomas as one of the top “sleepers” in the 2026 class, labeling him a “value pick” who significantly improved his stock during the College Football Playoff run.
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Pro Football Network: Gave him a glowing Safety Impact score of 88.4, noting that his ball production at Miami was a “reclamation” of his potential after a quieter season at Tennessee
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Why He Was Considered Underrated
Scouts who are high on Thomas point to a few factors that might have caused him to be overlooked by more mainstream rankings:
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“Film Nerd” Favorite: Analysts note that his value is most apparent to those who study extensive tape rather than just measurables, as he consistently makes people “look very, very smart” for finding him.
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Production vs. Ranking: Despite being a former 3-star recruit and multiple-time transfer, he produced elite numbers in 2025, including five interceptions and 3.5 sacks, making him the only DB in the NCAA top 10 for interceptions to also record multiple sacks.
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Versatility in Disguise: His experience in four different defensive systems (Middle Tennessee State, Tennessee, and Miami) is cited as a rare trait that proves he can handle the mental load of complex NFL schemes like Brian Flores’.
After that, Bredeson is going to start at fullback since they have no one else and Ham is retired. Getting a starter in the 5th round is great work unless it is a dude that puts his foot on the ball. Then, it is meh.
Demmings is a nice looking corner with great measurables. Claiborne looks like a Devon Achane clone. Gerhardt is underrated and really should have been higher in the rankings after playing in a Power 4 conference for four years. In the 2025 draft cycle, PFF recorded Gerhardt’s pass-block win rate at 95.20%, tying him for the highest among interior offensive linemen. He was credited with allowing zero sacks throughout the entire 2025 season.
During the 2025 season, Gavin Gerhardt faced a range of interior defensive linemen across the Big 12 and non-conference play. Nash Hutmacher, Domonique Orange, Lee Hunter, Justin Kirkland, Jackie Marshall, and John Nelson (BYU).
I am at a complete loss as to why this dude did not get more love in the draft process.
Overall, the team truly executed a pretty good dang game plan.
Of course I would have something different but I always do even when I do a mock. 5 minutes later I want to do something different.
Don’t get it twisted though. I still a grumpy old chastard who has a notoriously intemperate disposition!
Now. The Greenard trade was bold and risky but I can understand the hesitation to pay him 25M per year. Not that he is not worth it but they are going to play Turner in Greenard’s spot and need to see Turner turn it up a notch. You simply cannot pay someone who might not play the majority of the snaps 25M per year. Getting two 3rd round picks is good but I would have wanted 68 myself. I am sure the Vikings were asking for it too. At the very least I would have wanted to swap 68 for 82 although it might not have changed the pick. Sad to see him go but excited to see Turner get to show his worth.
Q&D CAP UPDATE & PLAN
Looking at the salary cap, according to overthecap, after the JG trade, the team has $16.071,234 in cap space for 2026 and $71,793,292 in cap space for 2027. Let’s give O’Neill a 3 yr 67.5M new deal (replacing this season) with two void years. He gets a 15M signing bonus, 10M roster bonus, and a 1.3M salary in 2026. he gets a 7M option bonus in 2027 and a 10.7M salary. He would take home 44M over the 2026 & 2027 season. In 2028, he gets an 8M roster bonus and a 15.5M salary. Taylor Moton got a 2 yr 44M deal last year at the same age as O’Neill. This is a slight increase over Moton and would tie O’Neill for third AAV among right tackles. More than fair.
After this deal the team will have $20,582,999 in cap space for 2026 and $51,093,292 in cap space for 2027. On June 2nd, the team will get an additional 12.5M in cap space from the Allen and Smith post June 1 releases. That takes the 2026 cap space to $33,082,999. They need $5,333,768 to sign the rookies because only the top 51 contracts count against the offseason cap (https://overthecap.com/draft).
The team will also get 12M in cap credits for the Hargrave and Allen signings with other teams. This credit wont be given until 2027 though. That takes the 2027 cap space to $63,093,292. This is after the O’Neill extension.
Clearly there is room to add a player or two.
I would give Deebo Samuel a 1 yr 8.5M deal.
I would give Hassan Reddick a 2 yr 11M deal.
I would give Fabian Moreau a 1 yr 2M deal.
After these deal the team would have about 24M in 2026 cap space with 5.3M needed for the rookies, and about 54M in 2027 cap space.
I am holding out hope on a 1 yr 8M deal for the Hitman.
There you go. A mini plan of attack for the rest of free agency. I am not sure they need anything else.
Minnesota Vikings News and Links
How Caleb Banks’ Unique Traits Could Form Custom Fit with Vikings
The smiling didn’t end after Caleb Banks left the room.
Minnesota’s No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft walked out with his entourage of family just minutes prior, and then Vikings Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores walked in with a Banks’ sized smile covering his face.
“When you see a guy with this type of, kind of rare size, rare athleticism, you take a real hard look at him,” Flores told Twin Cities reporters before rattling off the types of exposure coaches and scouts had with Banks during the pre-draft process. “I think he’s got very high upside and excited to have him join our team, our defense, our locker room. And then just meeting him, he’s a great kid and I think he embodies a lot of the things that we’re looking for in a Viking. He’s smart. Football’s important to him; he wants to be a great teammate, so we felt very comfortable the whole way and really excited that we got him.
“Obviously, he’s got the foot [injury] and just my conversations with him already have been, ‘Let’s not worry about when we’re going to be back or starting or anything all the way down the road,” Flores continued, referencing Banks surgery on March 9. ” ‘Let’s take this one day at a time. Let’s string good days together and let’s see what it looks like at the end.’ And so I know there’s a lot of ‘Where do you see him playing?’ And, ‘When’s he going to be back?’ And my answer’s really going to be the same for him.”
Stack good days in a row. Get to know the system and the city. And earn a role like every other defender.
With all that in mind, “There aren’t very many guys who are 6-foot-6, 330 pounds, walking around playing d-line with this type of athleticism,” Flores said very matter-of-factly of the 23-year-old Detroit native who played at Louisville before transferring to Florida.
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Showing his outgoing personality right away, Banks asked a question before answering one.
“How are you guys doing?” he said politely and dressed to the nines in a gray suit with a white button down and black tie that hugged his broad shoulders snuggly, with a Vikings ball cap turned up and away from his forehead.
“First, I would just like to say, I just want to thank God for putting me in this position today, being in front of you guys, in front of Coach K.O. and everybody on the staff,” Banks said. “I appreciate you guys — the Wilf Family, Rob [Brzezinski]. I appreciate the opportunity. So, yeah, I just want to say thank you.”
Banks said he never fully bought into the idea he could become an NFL first-round pick “because you never know what could happen,” but he prayed for this moment and worked hard to make it possible.
In an alternate reality, Banks might have gone pro in another sport: basketball. At 6-foot-6 and 327 pounds now, it’s easy to imagine him carving out space in the paint. He grew up on the hardwood — he also used to skateboard, which is a wild visualization and probably is a story for another day — and wanted to be like his brothers — “them boys hoop,” he said, “that’s what they did” — but he realized “I can’t keep fouling out every game” and so Banks changed lanes to a sport suited for his competitiveness.
“It don’t matter what it is, you could play rock, paper, scissors right now — I’m going to win,” he quipped.
That want-to coupled with undeniably rare measurements are fixtures of Banks’ potential. His passion and power are two ginormous reasons why Minnesota selected him 18th overall. In summary, the franchise is banking on him hitting his ceiling, which may be as high as anyone picked this year, under the tutelage of Flores, Defensive Running Game Coordinator Ryan Nielsen and Assistant D-line Coach Pat Hill.
Hill worked extensively with Banks as the American Team DL coach at the Senior Bowl, and Banks recalled that Nielsen was the lone NFL DL coach who sat down with him in Gainesville after his pro day.
“That meant a lot to me,” Banks said, adding it proved, “They had a lot of interest in me, and they cared for me and they know I can be great someday. It was kind of like, ‘Oh yeah, I know where I want to be.’ “
As far as playing for Flo’, Banks is fired up about the opportunity.
“I know he got a motor to him, you know what I mean?” Banks said when he was asked about the heralded coordinator. “I could tell just how he walks; he ain’t going to BS, he’s going to get after you — he’s going to get after me. He’s going to make sure I’m giving everything that I’ve got. So, I can’t wait.”
The interest is mutual as Flo’ and Minnesota’s personnel department and coaching staff dove into the weeds to learn what makes Banks tick, how he handles constructive criticism, his love for the game, etc.
“We felt good about and feel good about Caleb, the type of person he is,” Flores shared. “And it’s not necessarily just our interactions with him — this vetting process, it’s a deep one. We’re going back and talking to coaches from all the way back to Louisville and you can kind of see the growth of a person just when he was 19 it was like this, when he was 20 it was like this, when he was 21 it was like this. … And I would say that’s probably more important than — you can’t fake that; it’s already happened, good, bad or whatever it is. And so yeah, we felt really comfortable with him from that standpoint. And then my personal interaction with him has been good. And as you guys know, I’m not afraid to ask hard questions. So, ‘Hey, what happened on this play, this play, this play? And he’s honest, ‘I’ve got to be better here. I’ve got to improve here. That was a good play, but I could have done this.’ And I think when I spent the time with him and just felt his overall football acumen, football IQ, understanding of what he needs to do — [that all] kind of speaks to the type of person he is as well.”
Former team linebacker and assistant coach Pete Bercich appeared Friday with “Voice of the Vikings” Paul Allen on KFAN’s 9 to Noon and broke down his impression of Banks after studying some of his film.
Bercich admittedly didn’t do a deep dive into Banks yet but watched enough to glean some big takeaways.
“[The Gators] moved him all over the place,” Bercich said. “For a guy that big, they didn’t stand him up much, but he was everywhere and he looked comfortable and looked good doing it. And (once) he gets his technique down, learns to keep his pads a little bit lower, the potential is mind boggling with this kid.
“I mean, the NFL, I don’t know if we’ve seen anything like him, physically, in quite a long time,” Bercich added. “So again, [if] not for that one question mark, this conversation would be completely different. And Rob Brzezinski was exactly right. If not for the foot, there’s no chance — zero chance — the Minnesota Vikings would [be able to get him at that spot]. I mean, he’d be sitting in Arizona right now.”
Instead, the board shook out to Minnesota’s delight. Arizona discarded positional value and drafted Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love higher than any running back since Saquon Barkley was picked second in 2018; and the “Top 10 caliber” Banks landed in the Vikings lap just past the midpoint of the first round.
“All I know is the kid only played [three] games last year and when he did, he showed up. I mean, think about that,” Bercich remarked. “He missed 10 games and then comes [back] for the last two and just balls out. (Then) he does unbelievably well at the Senior Bowl. … There aren’t a lot of guys out there that can miss 10 weeks of a season, finally get the thumbs up — and then a foot injury no less; it’s not like a shoulder or whatever where you can run and stay in shape. This is a foot injury and with foot injuries most of the time they’re booted up or you’ve got to stay off ’em completely. Well, this guy comes back from that and then lights it up off the street … lights it up for two weeks, goes to [the] Senior Bowl, lights it up. So, yeah, the injury is really the only question. And again, we [aren’t privy to all the details].”
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Banks’ availability will be all-important, which is the case for every player, but that’s where the similarities between Banks and other 2026 defensive line prospects comes to a full stop.
Just peep his Relative Athletic Score, which stacks a player’s measurements on a 0-10 scale compared to their peers. Banks uniquely checks size, speed and explosiveness boxes; his 9.83 RAS is 39th among 2,278 interior defensive linemen tracked from 1987 to 2026. Or just look at his spider chart on MockDraftable — 98th percentile height, 98th percentile wingspan, 94th percentile hand size, 94th percentile arm length, 92nd percentile broad jump, 89th percentile weight, 79th percentile vertical jump (at 327 pounds!), 60th percentile 40-yard dash (327 pounds!!) — it’s a green web shooting to the edges of extraordinary in every direction.
The point is Minnesota’s top pick is built differently as he joins a league full of athletic marvels.
“Honestly, it’s just natural, raw talent I feel like. It’s just kind of something that I have, an attribute that I have,” Banks said as to how he can move so well at such a size. “You can’t really, I don’t want to say you can’t teach it, but that’s just something that I could just do. I don’t really think, ‘OK, I’m going to do this move and it’s going to be slow.’ It’s just natural. It’s natural to me — comes to me like second nature.”
Bercich noted there’s always a risk-reward assessment in bringing players aboard, but there are scarier issues than a foot injury. Consistently flawed character, for instance, is calculated and tougher to rein in.
“There’s ifs to anybody you draft, but at least the unknowns here are a little bit more known. It’s a physical thing. You know exactly what that is. It’s not like it’s an unpredictable bit where you don’t know what this kid’s going to do on a Saturday night when he gets here,” Bercich said. “You keep this guy healthy and he’s going to make an impact immediately. And at the same time, you’ve got a guy in Flores that knows how to use [Banks’ skills], right? Flores knows how to use these uniquely talented players.”
Maybe the most exciting aspect of the pick is exactly that. Few coaches are ingenious as Flores.
“Caleb Banks’ skill set, it doesn’t matter if you run a gap control, downhill, 4-3 style defense, maybe like Tampa does, or you’re running a 3-4 like we do,” said Bercich, “He transcends, in that regard, scheme fit.”
Take Flores’ word for it, too, as far as Banks’ measurables reach.
“Size, speed and athleticism, you really can’t teach. It’s really God-given,” he said.
Minnesota Vikings Had One of NFL’s ‘Worst’ Draft Classes
Yet, others, like The Athletic‘s Dane Brugler, feel like the Vikings had one of the worst draft classes in the NFL this year, ranking 29th out of 32 teams.
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However, it wasn’t all bad. Brugler noted that Cincinnati linebacker Jake Golday was his “favorite pick,” believing he has a chance to make an immediate impact in the Vikings’ Brian Flores-led defense.
Brugler added that fifth-round cornerback Charles Demmings “could surprise” throughout his NFL career, saying that the prospect “leaves everything he has on the field.” Overall, Brugler felt like Demmings is a “worthy bet” for the fifth round.
While he’s admittedly a fan of Golday and Demmings, Brugler clearly didn’t think much about the Vikings’ draft class as a whole.
Vikings 2026 NFL Draft Report Card: Initial Grades
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2026 NFL Draft: Minnesota Vikings Draft Grade Roundup
Vikings Hit With Indirect Shot From Eagles’ Jonathan Greenard
Moreover, being in Philadelphia, Greenard noted that there’s a championship standard, given that most players on that team have won a Super Bowl in 2025. Nonetheless, while speaking about that standard with the Eagles, he kind of took an indirect shot at the Vikings and the Houston Texans, for that matter.
“It moved me so much [seeing the Lombardi Trophies],” Greenard told Eagles Insider Dave Spadaro in an April 26 article. “I was in Minnesota, I didn’t see any hardware there. I was in Houston, didn’t see any hardware. So I actually see it and hear guys talk about it, you know, Jalen (Hurts, quarterback) texted me and was like, ‘We’re gonna get one,’ and it’s not just talk. This is how everybody carries themselves around the building.
“It’s the standard, the standard is the standard. This team already had everything they need to get to that point, so bringing me here, I just feel like I can just add to that what’s already being built here and I can just be myself truly, and just play ball and everything else will work itself out.”
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Following the end of Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft, Vikings interim general manager Rob Brzezinski shared a major reason Minnesota decided to part ways with the edge rusher, despite wanting to compete in the upcoming 2026 NFL season.
“He’s an impact player,” Brzezinski said (h/t Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune). “It’s something we understand is not making the Minnesota Vikings a better team today. But there’s a lot of factors involved, and particularly with the economics, we were able to reach a resolution that made sense for the Vikings.
“We’re going to miss him. We’re happy he was able to get himself a new contract, but this is not something we’re jumping around excitedly about. We did feel like it was the best thing for the organization moving forward.”
Jauan Jennings, Veteran WRs Emerge as Vikings Options After Greenard Trade
The Vikings’ decision to trade Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles opened more than $12 million in cap space for the 2026-27 season. They did not select a wide receiver at this year’s NFL Draft, so they now have some resources to pursue a potential option in free agency. Former 49ers veteran Jauan Jennings headlines a list of realistic options still available.
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Jennings has more than 200 receptions and 2,500 yards in his five-year NFL career, but he had just 55 catches for 643 yards last season. He will turn 29 in July, and he could be a buy-low candidate for the Vikings. He’s listed at 6-foot-3, 212 pounds, and could provide Minnesota with a big body target in the red zone. The Athletic’s Alec Lewis mentioned Jennings in a post-draft story as a potential option for the Vikings.
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If Minnesota wants to go in a different direction, there are still plenty of free-agent receivers available. Deebo Samuel is looking for a new team after playing last season with the Commanders. Despite an injury-prone tag from some, he has played more than 15 games in three straight seasons. He recently turned 30, and he would bring a versatile skillset to Minnesota’s receiver room.
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Former Panthers, Commanders and Bills receiver Curtis Samuel could also make sense as a low-cost option. He had just 81 yards in six games with Buffalo, but he dealt with injuries throughout the year. He has more than 3,500 receiving yards in his career, and he’s still just 29 years old.
Vikings Encouraged to Sign $82 Million WR to Pair With Kyler Murray
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The Biggest Winners and Losers Following the Vikings’ 2026 Draft
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Why the Vikings Felt Comfortable Taking a Risky Swing on Caleb Banks
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What Excites the Vikings About Each of Their Day 2 Draft Picks
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The Vikings Just Admitted Their Last 5 Games Didn’t Matter
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Vikings Post-Draft Depth Chart: Strengths, Weaknesses, Position Battles
Yore Never Too Early 2027 Mock
Draft Results from Mock Draft Hero
Pre-Draft Rankings: Mock Draft Hero (Consensus)
Pick 12: Matayo Uiagalelei (EDGE, Oregon) – 6’5″, 272 lbs
Pick 44: Ty Benefield (S, LSU) – 6’3″, 208 lbs
Pick 76: Mark Fletcher Jr. (RB, Miami) – 6’2″, 225 lbs
Pick 86: Devin McCuin (WR, Ohio State) – 6’0″, 189 lbs
Pick 147: Jermaine Mathews Jr. (CB, Ohio State) – 5’11”, 190 lbs
Pick 150: Terrance Carter Jr. (TE, Texas Tech) – 6’2″, 245 lbs
Pick 180: Addison Nichols (OG, SMU) – 6’5″, 320 lbs
Pick 211: Kip Lewis (LB, Oklahoma) – 6’1″, 227 lbs
Pick 239: Kemari Copeland (DT, Virginia Tech) – 6’2″, 290 lbs
Note: Most of these simulators do not feel very confident in the Vikings and it seems like it does not matter who is playing QB. Apparently.
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