Vikings ignored obvious need with 18th overall pick in 1st round of NFL Draft
Minnesota went in a different direction.
Vikings ignored obvious need with 18th overall pick in 1st round of NFL Draft originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The Minnesota Vikings had one position they were linked to in mock drafts more than any other.
But when the No. 18 overall selection rolled around Thursday night in the 2026 NFL Draft first round, they went in a different direction. The Vikings were expected by many to take a safety.
Instead, they took defensive tackle Caleb Banks out of Florida. 2026 NFL DRAFT HQ: Live tracker | Pick-by-pick grades | Best players still available It's not inherently a bad pick. The Vikings could certainly use help on the interior of the defensive line, too.
But there were two great safeties on the board, and Minnesota let them both pass by. Oregon's Dillon Thieneman eventually went to the Chicago Bears at pick 25. Toledo's Emmanuel McNeil-Warren actually made it through the first round without being picked, which was a total shock.