Popular Vikings Draft Idea Loses Momentum
Jasen Vinlove The Minnesota Vikings kicked two starting defensive tackles to the curb in March, offloading Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave , a pair that logged over 1,300 snaps in 2026. Therefore, Minnesota is a prime candidate to draft a defensive tackle in Round 1, right? Not so fast.
The DT idea still has life, though the 1st-Round version is starting to wobble. While a youthful DT would be fantastic for Brian Flores’s defense , some April momentum suggests a man from that position will not be the pick for the Vikings in Round 1. The Better Path May Be Waiting on the Interior Defensive Line Rethink your Round 1 DT Vikings takes.
Clemson Tigers defensive lineman Peter Woods (11) stands on the field during pregame warmups, preparing for a marquee matchup against a top opponent under the bright lights. Aug 31, 2024 set the stage at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, where Woods readied himself for a physical test in the trenches against Georgia. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images.
Round 1 DT Class Is Evidently Underwhelming At least one defensive tackle habitually frequents the Round 1 discourse before any draft, and through a few months of draft build-up, 2026 is no different. But the reality of a DT leaving the board in Round 1 may not be true. ESPN’s Jordan Reid wrote last week , “For the first time since 2021, it is possible that no defensive tackles could be selected in Round 1.
I haven’t found a team that has a true first-round grade on any defensive tackle. ” “With Caleb Banks (Florida) recently having foot surgery, he’s likely to be a Day 2 pick. The inconsistencies of Peter Woods (Clemson) throughout the season and during the predraft process have caused most teams I have spoken with to put an early-to-mid second-round mark on him.
Continue to the original source for the full article.