Part 1: Strategy — How the Vikings Could Approach the 2026 Draft

Last year was a difficult draft for most to handle or really enjoy when making mock drafts. The former general manager had decimated the Vikings’ draft capital by using future assets to move up for Dallas Turner and J. J.

McCarthy. While there is still time to prove those were the right moves, the lack of draft success before 2025 has caught up with the team to the point that the 2026 draft will have to be damn near perfect. The tough part is we really won’t know that for a couple of years as they develop.

Four Clear Draft Paths Define Minnesota’s Strategy at No. 18 In 2025, I felt the best strategy in the draft was to trade back to acquire more picks. With only four picks to start with, the Vikings needed more ammo and some key positions to fill.

The Vikings took my third option of staying put and were rewarded with left guard Donovan Jackson , one of the players I speculated they might end up with. Sure, it wasn’t the most exciting pick, but it was the best pick, and it strengthened a position that had been suffering for several years. Jackson was a solid performer and was the player Head Coach Kevin O’Connell had been dreaming about drafting.