The 2026 NFL Draft has concluded, and we now have a sense of the future for these Minnesota Vikings.
This year, they didn’t have a technical full-time general manager at the helm for the event. These duties were given to Rob Brzezinski, who has been with the team since 1999 in behind-the-scenes roles.
Have a look at their official 2026 NFL Draft class.
- Round 1, Pick 18: IDL Caleb Banks, Florida
- Round 2, Pick 51: LB Jake Golday, Cincinnati
- Round 3, Pick 82: IDL Domonique Orange, Iowa State
- Round 3, Pick 97: OT Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern
- Round 3, Pick 98: S Jakobe Thomas, Miami
- Round 5, Pick 159: FB Max Bredeson, Michigan
- Round 5, Pick 163: CB Charles Demmings, Stephen F. Austin
- Round 6, Pick 198: RB Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest
- Round 7, Pick 235: C Gavin Gerhardt, Cincinnati
If you hold a magnifying glass to the picks, there’s a clear vision from the Vikings’ shot-callers.
Vikings’ Draft Class Has a Clear Vision
GettyMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – NOVEMBER 09: Head coach Kevin O’Connell of the Minnesota Vikings looks on during the first quarter in the game against the Baltimore Ravens at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 09, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
Minnesota spent 4 of their 5 Top-100 draft picks on big, physical defenders. Banks and Golday are freak athletes. Orange is a big-body that can plug the gaps and stop the run. Jakobe Thomas is a big-time thumper playing safety.
The Vikings badly needed to infuse their defense with young talent, and that’s exactly the approach they took. They also selected an impressive corner on Day 3 in Charles Demmings, who is a big-body and plays an extremely physical brand of football.
They also may now have a future at the runningback position in Demond Claiborne. Claiborne is an extremely fluid back whom knows how to use his body to create space and won’t go down as easy as his frame implies.
Minnesota’s draft my not be in line with what many mock drafters expected, but they gave us a clear signal for the direction in which they’ll be going moving forward.
Minnesota Doesn’t Spend Serious Capital on Offense
GettyQuarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals practices during a Mandatory Minicamp at Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center on June 12, 2025 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The Vikings ended up spending 4 draft picks on the offensive side of the ball. The first selection for KOC’s offense was tackle Caleb Tiernan out of Northwestern. That was at pick 97.
The next offensive pick didn’t come until pick 159 with FB/TE Max Bredeson from Michigan. Minnesota would end their offensive picks with RB Demond Claiborne at pick 198 and C Gavin Gerhardt at pick 235.
Bredeson has been tabbed as a C.J. Ham replacement. Demond Claiborne seems likely to get some run in 2026, and may be an option to be running back of the future in the Twin Cities.
Minnesota clearly knew what they needed to do; infuse this defense with young talent. The Vikings spent 4 of their first 5 selections (all in the top 100) on the defensive side of the ball. There wasn’t really anyone on the defense with elite upside below the age of 27 except for Dallas Turner.
Vikings Reveal Clear Vision for Future With 2026 Draft Class