Every 2026 Minnesota Vikings Draft Pick and UDFA Signing
Nonetheless, there are different to weigh risk and evaluate talent throughout an NFL offseason, especially in the NFL Draft. And that’s what has the Vikings in a bit of hot water, from various “experts” who are highly-regarded around draft circles.
The MN Vikings told us they were comfortable sticking and picking at No. 18 overall, which they proved by selecting 6’6″ athletic monster interior defensive lineman, Caleb Banks, out of Florida.
A couple months ago, they may have gotten away with taking Banks at 18, after he showed out during the combine. But that was before news got out that he had broken his foot while in Indianapolis, the second time he suffered an injury to that foot in the past year.
For context, Mel Kiper (ESPN) had Banks ranked as his 62nd best prospect in a draft class that’s widely considered underwhelming, especially early in the first round. Dane Brugler (The Athletic) liked Caleb a bit more, placing him 52nd overall.
Minnesota Vikings pull together 2026 NFL Draft class
That didn’t stop the Minnesota Vikings from passing on multiple high-end receivers, running backs, safeties, offensive lineman and even other interior defensive linemen who most had ranked above Banks.
Ultimately, as is the case most often in life, time will be the ultimate judge — not just of Caleb Banks as a mid-first round draft pick — but of the Vikings entire 2026 class.
Nonetheless, there is no doubt they came out of this latest draft with a ton of needs left on the roster, especially for a team that considers itself a playoff contender.
| Rd | Pick | Player | Pos | School |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18 | Caleb Banks | iDL | Florida |
| 2 | 51 | Jake Golday | iLB | Cincinnati |
| 3 | 82 | Domonique Orange | iDL | Iowa State |
| 3 | 97 | Caleb Tiernan | OT | Northwestern |
| 3 | 98 | Jakobe Thomas | CB | Miami |
| 4 | 159 | Max Bredeson | FB | Michigan |
| 5 | 163 | Charles Demmings | CB | Stephen F. Austin |
| 5 | 198 | Demond Claiborne | RB | Wake Forest |
| 7 | 235 | Gavin Gerhardt | C | Cincinnati |
Caleb Banks’ future successes and failures in the NFL won’t be the only thing Rob Brzezinski and the rest of Minnesota’s front office leaders will be judged on over the next few years.
There are expectations for Jake Golday, Jakobe Thomas and Max Bredeson to make immediate impacts on the Vikings’ 2026 roster. If they can’t it’s possible this team won’t have the depth to make the playoffs, let alone a postseason run.
More UDFA’s for MN Vikings to develop
After the Minnesota Vikings ran out of 2026 draft picks, they immediately turned attention to the undrafted free agency market, where they got busy signing 19 more players to compete for a spot on the final 53-man roster this summer.
| Player | Position | School |
|---|---|---|
| Marcus Allen | CB | North Carolina |
| Da’Veawn Armstead | CB | North Texas |
| Dillon Bell | WR | Georgia |
| Jordan Botehlo | OLB | Notre Dame |
| Tyreek Chappell | CB | Texas A&M |
| Monkell Goodwine | DL | South Carolina |
| Shaleak Knotts | WR | Maryland |
| Keli Lawson | LB | UCF |
| Tristan Leigh | OL | Clemson |
| Delby Lemieux | OL | Dartmouth |
| Kejon Owens | RB | FIU |
| Tomas Rimac | OL | Virginia Tech |
| Marcus Sanders Jr. | WR | Ga. Southern |
| Cam’Ron Stewart | OLB | Temple |
| Jacob Thomas | S | James Madison |
| Brett Thorson | P | Georgia |
| Arden Walker | OLB | Colorado |
| Scooby Williams | LB | Texas A&M |
| Luke Wysong | WR | Arizona |
Realistically, the UDFA with the best chance to make the roster is Brett Thorson (Georgia), who’s been on of college football’s best punters for the past two seasons. The MN Vikings lost Ryan Wright to the Saints this offseason, meaning Thorson’s only competition is 36-year-old Johnny Hekker.
NFL Insider Jason La Canfora wondered how high Thorson could go in the NFL Draft, and instead the Vikings were able to land him as an undrafted free agent. Even better, he doesn’t take up a roster spot because he’s fromt Austrailia and qualifies for the International roster exemption.
More About:Minnesota Vikings
