Insights on the Vikings Draft
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: A screen shows Caleb Banks of Florida after being selected 18th overall by the Minnesota Vikings during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Minnesota Vikings concluded an eventful three days of the NFL Draft that included a few trades, including Jonathan Greenard, the drafting of nine players, and the signing of 19 undrafted free agents. It was largely a defensive draft for the Vikings, with the first three picks going for defensive players and four of the first five.
And while that emphasis corresponded with the Vikings’ roster needs, the increased influence of newly extended defensive coordinator Brian Flores could be felt. The results also provide some insight on how the coaching staff view their existing roster, and a little into their drafting process and roster priorities. Brian Flores and the Vikings Draft Process This off-season has seen the elevation of Brian Flores in terms of influence within the Vikings organization.
The Vikings were eager to extend his contract, but Flores allowed it to lapse as he considered any head coaching opportunities. But in January he also expressed a lack of confidence in the direction of the front office, meaning general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. That reached ownership in their season-end evaluations in mid-January, with Flores still unsigned, and led to the unusually timed firing of Adofo-Mensah at the end of January after ownership had a chance to review the situation and ultimately decide to part ways with him.
The Wilfs hadn’t planned to fire Adofo-Mensah at the end of the season, otherwise they would have done so earlier in January, immediately after the season was over, which is the customary timeframe for such moves. But when Flores raised his dissatisfaction, the Wilfs fired Adofo-Mensah. It wasn’t until after Adofo-Mensah was fired that Brian Flores agreed to an extension that reportedly makes him one of the highest paid coordinators in the league, if not the highest.
Clearly that sequence of events speaks to how well Flores is regarded in the Vikings organization. And it comes after Flores didn’t see eye-to-eye with Assistant Head Coach Mike Pettine last year, which resulted in Pettine switching to the offensive coaching staff (although he had always been a defensive coach) and his retirement after last season. Head coach Kevin O’Connell clearly values Flores’ input and having him as his defensive coordinator as he has always spoken highly of him and pretty much allows him to run the defense his way.
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