The Vikings Could Have One Sneaky Draft Swerve in Round 1

Auburn Tigers defensive end Keldric Faulk (15) runs drills during Auburn football pro day at Woltosz Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. © Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Sometimes it’s tempting to look down at an NFL team’s roster, identify a couple of short-term roster holes , and think, “It looks like a Team X needs a player at Position Y.

” That’s even the correct line of thought from time to time. But for the Minnesota Vikings in 2026, outside linebacker could be a sneaky roster need , even if it’s not shouted from mountain tops. Minnesota may have bigger needs elsewhere, but an EDGE pick at No.

18 would not come out of nowhere. Most fans expect the purple team to draft a defensive back or defensive tackle in Round 1 — it’s a smart theory — but an EDGE defender cannot be ruled out. Jonathan Greenard’s Future Could Shape the Draft Board The case for an EDGE in Round 1.

Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard (58) bursts off the edge and takes down Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) during a key second-quarter play Nov 24, 2024, at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, halting the drive and showcasing his disruptive presence in a cold-weather divisional battle. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images Jonathan Greenard + Andrew Van Ginkel’s Future The Vikings have one main player in their trade rumor mill right now, and that’s Greenard. He’s lived there for one month.