Minnesota Vikings 2026 NFL Draft Needs, Picks & Depth Chart

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No matter how well they did in free agency, all 32 NFL teams head into the 2026 NFL Draft with holes to fill on the roster.

Leading into the draft, we will identify the top needs for every team and break down the depth chart position by position.

What are the Vikings' top positions of need heading into the 2026 NFL draft?

Minnesota Vikings Needs: Top Positions of Need in 2026

1. Defensive Line
2. Offensive Line
3. Defensive Back

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Minnesota Vikings 2026 Draft Capital

The Vikings have the 17th-most draft capital according to our Sharp Football Draft Value.

Our Sharp Football Draft Value is a valuation of draft capital based on a combination of average performance delivered and average dollars earned on second contracts.

Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft Predictions

Find out who our top-rated experts expect the Vikings to draft:

• Brendan Donahue's 2026 NFL Mock Draft – Complete first round breakdown from the #2 most accurate mock drafter over the last five seasons.
• Ryan McCrystal's 2026 NFL Mock Draft – Complete first round breakdown from the #20 most accurate mock drafter over the last five seasons.

Minnesota Vikings Offense: Depth Chart, Analysis & Draft Needs

Rich Hribar breaks down the offensive depth chart by position for the Minnesota Vikings, identifying areas where the team could improve in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.

Quarterback

1. Kyler Murray
2. J.J. McCarthy
3. Carson Wentz
4. Max Brosmer

After being released by the Arizona Cardinals, Kyler Murray is joining the Minnesota Vikings on a one-year deal.

Murray is coming off a 2025 season in which he played only five games due to a foot injury.

Staying on the field has been an issue for Murray.

He has played just one full season since 2020, missing multiple games due to a shoulder injury, a high ankle sprain, a torn ACL, and a hip pointer before last year’s foot ailment.

Murray may have inevitably ended up getting more time in Arizona had he been healthy, but there were reasons for his release based on just his on-field play.

Before his foot injury, Murray was off to the worst start of his career, throwing a career low 6.0 yards per pass attempt with his lowest marks in passing yardage per game.

How Murray and Kevin O’Connell adjust to one another will be intriguing.

On throws between the hashes over the past four seasons (when the defensive shift started to take place), Murray ranks 43rd in rating (81.5) out of 50 passers to throw the ball 500-plus times.

Throwing over the middle of the field was a huge problem area for J.J. McCarthy last season, which altered the offense.

The biggest thing we saw go wrong for Murray and the end of his run in Arizona was that when the opposition knew Arizona was in clear passing situations, which is when he and the passing game faced their largest issues.

Staying on schedule is important for any offense, but it was particularly vital for Murray to close out his tenure with the Cardinals.

In third-and-long situations (needing 7 or more yards) over the past four seasons, Murray posted a first-down conversion rate of 24.7%.

That ranked 34th out of 38 quarterbacks who qualified for the league’s passer rating over that period.

In the fourth quarter while trailing over that run, Murray averaged 6.4 yards per pass attempt (28th) with a 3.5% touchdown rate (33rd).

O’Connell has utilized a high rate of under-center passing and play action, which Murray has not done much.

Minnesota passers have been under center for 46.9% of their snaps under O’Connell, the third-highest rate in the league over the past four seasons.

In 2025, that rate was 44.8% (8th).

Playing under center more often has led to a 29.7% play-action rate under O’Connell, fourth in the NFL.

In 2025, Minnesota had a 27.7% play-action rate (9th).

Kyler has been under center for 14.7% of his career snaps.

Only Jalen Hurts (14.4%) and Jayden Daniels (7.6%) have lower rates since Murray entered the league.

Murray has used play action on 21.5% of his dropbacks, 27th in the league since his rookie season.

Murray has been successful when he has been under center and used play action (203 career dropbacks), completing 68% of his passes for 8.5 Y/A with a 5.8% touchdown rate.

We just have not seen offenses with him operating in that fashion because you have to turn your back to the defense, and let’s face it, Murray is not a tall quarterback, and the shotgun helps him see the field better.

We saw this happen in terms of philosophy last year in Arizona, with and without Murray.

Through five weeks, Arizona had an under-center play rate of 20.9% with Murray (26th) and a 21.1% play-action rate (28th).

Over the next three games, after transitioning to Jacoby Brissett, the Cardinals had a 46.3% rate under-center (10th) and a 38.7% play-action rate (2nd).

Then the wheels fell off for the team, and they were thrown into jailbreak scripts to end the season, but there was a stark difference in how the offense could run more under-center passing and play action without Murray.

While we have largely highlighted the struggles that Murray has faced and led Arizona to move on, landing in Minnesota is a best-case scenario for recouping immediate value while providing Minnesota with the insulation to reset McCarthy.

2025 was McCarthy’s first taste of action in the NFL, but he was the first quarterback under O’Connell to complete fewer than 60% of his passes in his starts.

McCarthy was last in the NFL in completion rate for qualifiers last season (57.6%).

His 6.7 yards per pass attempt ranked 25th while he ranked 21st in touchdown rate (4.5%), last in interception rate (4.9%), and 31st in sack rate (10%).

As part of Murray’s contract at the veteran minimum, he cannot be franchise tagged after the year.

If he plays well, the two sides will have reasons to keep things going, but that does throw a wrinkle into the dynamic that Minnesota may still be looking for its long-term quarterback next offseason.

Running Back

1. Aaron Jones
2. Jordan Mason
3. Zavier Scott

The Vikings retained Aaron Jones on a one-year contract this offseason.

Jones is coming off a down year, turning 160 touches into 747 yards and 3 touchdowns.

At age 31, Jones averaged a career-low 4.2 yards per rush.

He had career lows in yards after contact per rush (2.67), success rate (39.4%), and explosive run rate (9.1%).

His 4.7 yards per touch marked the first time he was below 5.0 in his career.

Jones missed five games due to hip, shoulder, toe, and hamstring issues.

Jordan Mason added 809 yards from scrimmage and 6 touchdowns on 173 touches as a complement and fill-in for Jones when he was down.

Mason averaged 4.8 yards per rush (12th) with 3.41 yards after contact per rush (10th).

He had a 47.2% success rate (5th) as a rusher.

While Mason was an effective rusher, he was still a limited offensive asset who did not add to the receiving game.

Mason only ran a route on 28.9% of the dropbacks in his games played, which was 42nd at his position.

He caught only 14 passes, and he has 28 receptions over four NFL seasons.

Zavier Scott caught 14 passes in his limited action as a rookie but was not effective on a small sample running the ball, rushing 32 times for 114 yards (3.6 YPC).

This is not an immediate need, but with both Jones and Mason set to be unrestricted free agents after this season, the Vikings are firmly in play to add a running back at some point during the draft.

Wide Receiver

1. Justin Jefferson
2. Jordan Addison
3. Tai Felton
4. Myles Price
5. Jeshaun Jones
6. Dontae Fleming
7. Joaquin Davis

We are coming off the worst season of Justin Jefferson’s early career.

The counting stats were modest for Jefferson, catching 84 passes for 1,048 yards, but he had career lows everywhere across the board.

He only had 2 touchdowns.

His 61.6 yards per game were a massive drop from his previous career low (87.5 yards per game as a rookie).

After posting over 2.5 yards per route run in every season to open his career, Jefferson was at 1.91 last season.

Jefferson was still the focal point of the offense, commanding 30.1% of the targets (WR4) and 38.6% of the air yards (WR5), but quarterback play was his undoing.

Justin Jefferson Splits by QB in 2025

A career-high 17% of his targets were inaccurate.

McCarthy had an 18.5% inaccurate throw rate to wide receivers, ranking 32nd among 33 qualifying passers, behind only Cam Ward (19.5%).

The league rate was 13.2%.

Murray was at 13% last season and is only at 9.8% for his career throwing to wide receivers.

With McCarthy, that rate was 19.7%.

We don’t need to talk about the Max Brosmer experience, but when you look at Jefferson’s time with Carson Wentz, you still see a top-flight pass catcher.

Murray is just leaving a situation where he did not help Marvin Harrison Jr. hit the ground running in the NFL, but the one true alpha receiver that Murray has played with during his prime was DeAndre Hopkins.

Hopkins caught 115 passes for 1,407 yards and 6 touchdowns in his one full season playing with Murray at age 28 in 2020.

In 2021 and 2022, with Murray available, Hopkins still posted 2.01 yards per route run.

If Jefferson could not survive playing with McCarthy and Brosmer, then you already knew what it was going to look like for Jordan Addison.

Jordan Addison Splits by QB in 2025

Once again, the small sample with Wentz against good competition paints a more promising story.

Addison is in the final year of his rookie contract.

The Vikings have already picked up Addison’s fifth-year option for 2027.

There is little experience behind Jefferson and Addison.

With Jalen Nailor leaving in free agency, the WR3 spot is up for grabs.

Nailor was on the field for 72.5% of the dropbacks in 2025.

Tai Felton is the early favorite to have an opportunity to compete for that spot, while Minnesota is in play to add a rookie to push him

Felton was selected in the third round last year (102nd overall).

He only played 46 offensive snaps, catching 3 passes for 25 yards.

Tight End

1. T.J. Hockenson
2. Josh Oliver
3. Ben Yurosek
4. Gavin Bartholomew
5. Bryson Nesbit

As with most of this passing game from a year ago, T.J. Hockenson is coming off a down year.

Hockenson caught 51 passes for 438 yards and 3 touchdowns.

He posted career lows in yards per catch (8.6) and receiving yards per game (29.2).

He was also coming off a down year to close out 2024 after returning from his ACL injury.

That combination of limited production can be excused in both seasons, but Minnesota will surely want to see a rebound in production.

Hockenson will turn 29 this July and is in the final year of his current contract.

The team has also reduced Hockenson’s role in the three-down offense, since they have Josh Oliver, one of the league’s best tight ends in the run game.

Minnesota has run the ball on 28.3% of Hockenson’s snaps the past two seasons, compared to a 57.4% run rate with Oliver on the field.

Oliver is signed through 2028.

Offensive Line

LT: Christian Darrisaw, Ryan Van Demark
LG: Donovan Jackson, Henry Byrd, Vershon Lee
C: Blake Brandel, Michael Jurgens
RG: Will Fries, Joe Huber
RT: Brian O’Neill, Walker Rouse

The Minnesota offensive line was snakebit again in 2025.

Their starting offensive line played together for only 24.9% of the offensive snaps, 24th in the league.

Will Fries was the only starter to play in all 17 games.

Fries is signed through 2029, but has no more guaranteed money on his contract after this season.

Fries is coming off a down year, allowing a 6% pressure rate (70th among guards).

Christian Darrisaw only played in 10 games.

Darrisaw has now missed multiple games in all five seasons, missing 27 games over his career.

Darrisaw is signed through 2029 and will only turn 27 this summer.

He just needs to stay on the field.

Minnesota does not have a realistic out on that contract if they wanted to take it until after the 2027 season.

Brian O’Neill missed three games and is set to be an unrestricted free agent after 2026.

Backup tackles Justin Skule (8.2% pressure rate) and Walter Rouse (9.7% pressure rate) were a steep drop off filling in.

With Darrisaw missing so much time and O’Neill up for a new contract, future insurance and depth at tackle are things that can be improved.

Donovan Jackson made 14 starts as a rookie, also missing three games due to injury.

Jackson took his rookie lumps when on the field.

He ranked 51st in overall grade among guards at Pro Football Focus, allowing a 5.6% pressure rate (62nd) with a 55th overall run blocking grade.

For better or worse, all of the starting spots here are locked up except for center.

Minnesota could have 2027 needs at guard and right tackle, while center is an area Minnesota can still upgrade, something they tried to do last offseason when they added Ryan Kelly.

Kelly only played eight games due to concussions and retired this offseason.

With Kelly retiring, Blake Brandel is in line to start again at center.

Brandel has made 26 starts for Minnesota over the past two seasons.

Minnesota Vikings Defense: Depth Chart, Analysis & Draft Needs

Raymond Summerlin breaks down the defensive depth chart by position for the Minnesota Vikings, identifying areas where the team could improve in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.

Defensive Line

1. Jalen Redmond
2. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
3. Levi Drake Rodriguez
4. Elijah Williams
5. Jaylon Hutchings
6. Taki Taimani

The Vikings shut down running backs in 2025, allowing 3.9 yards per carry to the position (5th), forcing a negative run on 20.6% of carries (3rd), and ranking fourth in yards before contact allowed per carry.

The defensive line group is facing a big transition after the team moved on from Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave this offseason.

Jalen Redmond is back after establishing himself as a quality player in 2025.

Redmond logged 7 sacks with a 10% pressure rate, and he was fourth among all qualified defensive linemen in run stuffs.

He is scheduled to be a restricted free agent after this season.

Minnesota also has Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins and Levi Drake Rodriguez as depth options.

A fifth-round pick last year, Ingram-Dawkins played 250 rookie snaps, and Rodriguez established himself as a rotational option in his second season.

The Vikings probably do not want either to be more than that, though, which means they still need an addition to pair with Redmond at the top of the depth chart.

Edge Defenders

1. Jonathan Greenard
2. Andrew Van Ginkel
3. Dallas Turner
4. Bo Richter
5. Chaz Chambliss
6. Tyler Batty

Minnesota continued to bring the heat in 2025, ranking first in pressure rate (44.5%) and fourth in sacks (49) while blitzing at the highest rate in the league.

The biggest question for the edge rusher group is the future of Jonathan Greenard, who has been the subject of trade rumors this offseason.

Coach Kevin O'Connell has said he expects Greenard to remain with the team, but this is still a situation to watch.

Greenard was limited to 12 games and just 3 sacks last season, but he posted an elite 18.1% pressure rate on those limited opportunities.

Greenard’s absences opened up more opportunity for 2024 first-round pick Dallas Turner, who led the team with 8 sacks and posted an impressive 15.2% pressure rate.

Andrew Van Ginkel was right behind Turner in sacks (7), but he was just ahead of him in pressure rate (15.5%).

If Greenard sticks around, the Vikings have an elite trio of edge rushers atop their depth chart.

If Greenard is moved, that will open up some depth questions behind Van Ginkel and Turner.

Van Ginkel will also be 31 at the start of the season and is entering the final year of his contract.

There are enough long-term questions along the edge that it would not be surprising if the Vikings spent an early pick on a pass rusher, but it is not an immediate need as things stand.

Linebacker

1. Blake Cashman
2. Eric Wilson
3. Ivan Pace Jr.
4. Josh Ross
5. Jacob Roberts

The Vikings do not have an elite linebacking unit, but there is more than enough here to get by.

Unsurprisingly, Blake Cashman played just 13 games last season – he has played 14, 14, and 13 the last three years – but he held up well against the run when on the field, recording a tackle on 25.1% of his run defense snaps.

Eric Wilson finished tied for second among all qualified linebackers in run stuffs last season, his first with the Vikings.

He was re-signed to a three-year deal in March.

Ivan Pace handled the No. 3 job, starting while Cashman was out early in the season.

He did not see much playing time after that, but he is an experienced depth option.

Cashman is scheduled to be a free agent after this season and has a history of missing games, so an argument can be made for an addition at linebacker.

Still, this is not a pressing need heading into the draft.

Cornerback

1. Isaiah Rodgers
2. Byron Murphy Jr.
3. James Pierre
4. Zemaiah Vaughn
5. Dwight McGlothern
6. Kahlef Hailassie

Minnesota suffocated opposing passing games in 2025, allowing 6.8 yards per attempt (11th) and finishing third in EPA allowed per pass.

The Vikings do not get as many snaps out of their corners as other teams because they use more three-safety looks.

Isaiah Rodgers and Byron Murphy were the only corners who played more than 200 snaps for the team last season.

Rodgers worked as a full-time starter for the first time in his career, allowing 7.5 yards per target and an 88.2 quarterback rating in coverage.

Murphy had more success, finishing 29th among qualified corners in yards allowed per coverage snap.

The Vikings made a potential value signing in free agency, adding James Pierre on a two-year, $8.5 million contract.

Pierre was never more than a part-time player for the Steelers, including when Brian Flores was there in 2022, but he has posted very good coverage stats when given a chance.

Last year, he was ninth among qualified corners in yards allowed per coverage snap.

Pierre could push the other two for snaps if he can keep up that level of play, or he also could force the Vikings into more three-corner looks, depending on what happens at safety.

Adding some youth could make sense, but the Vikings are in an okay spot at cornerback.

Safety

1. Josh Metellus
2. Jay Ward
3. Theo Jackson
4. Tavierre Thomas

Harrison Smith has yet to make a retirement decision, which puts the safety position in flux for Minnesota.

Even if he returns, they have to start planning for the future.

Josh Metellus will continue to lead the safety room as Flores’ versatile weapon who can line up in the box, deep, or at corner.

Jay Ward filled a similar role late last season after Metellus suffered an injury.

Theo Jackson’s snaps spiked in his fourth year, but he did not play well enough to lock him into a starting spot if Smith decides to retire.

Given how important safety is in this defense, adding one early in the draft makes a lot of sense.

2026 Depth Chart Analysis & Team Needs for All 32 NFL Teams