The Minnesota Vikings have 3 selections heading into Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
- 49th overall (2nd round)
- 82nd overall (3rd round)
- 97th overall (3rd round)
In the first round on Thursday night, Minnesota addressed the need for interior defensive line. This came in the form of Florida IDL Caleb Banks. Now, the Vikings have freed themselves up to spend their 3 selections on Day 2 at other positions of need. Or, if they seem fit, they could simply just take their “best player available”.
3 Positions to Watch for the Vikings to Draft on Day 2
GettyHead coach Kevin O’Connell of the Minnesota Vikings looks on against the Cincinnati Bengals at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 21, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
Cornerback
The Minnesota Vikings have a large need for young talent all around the defensive side of the ball. Their need for a corner is a decades-old issue for Minnesota at this point.
Many corners are still available after the first round.
- Jermod McCoy
- Avieon Terrell
- Brandon Cisse
- Keith Abney
- Treydan Stukes
Minnesota very well could move up to the early second round to make a move for a corner if they see fit. However, with the way corners have already fallen in the draft, one may very well fall to Minnesota at 49.
Safety
Contrary to what many expected, the Vikings didn’t select Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman. He might end up tormenting Minnesota in the future, however, as he heads to Chicago.
Thankfully the Vikings have plenty of options available on Day 2 at the position.
- Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
- A.J. Haulcy
- Kamari Ramsey
- Zakee Wheatley
The Vikings’ options are wide open at the safety position. Their selection of Caleb Banks has allowed them to be flexible on Day 2 of the event. Minnesota could look to the safety position to provide a future at the position, with or without Harrison Smith.
Center
Minnesota has a large need at the center position. Ryan Kelly recently retired, but wasn’t available for the Vikings in 2025 all that much anyway.
The current rumor is that Minnesota will give Blake Brandel some run at the center position. Brandel is a natural tackle, so this may be some cause for concern.
Minnesota probably needs to invest legitimate draft capital into the position. Fortunately for the Vikings, they have available options. The centers weren’t expected to start going off the board until the third round.
- Jake Slaughter
- Logan Jones
- Sam Hecht
- Connor Lew
Vikings’ 3 Positions to Watch for on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft