Then, all attention will turn to the NFL Draft, where Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will get yet another shot to change the narrative surrounding his ability to identify collegiate talent.

There are a multitude of different positions Minnesota could target in April, and mock drafts have already started to pour in. But there is only one mock draft GOAT — the OG basement draft analyst and college scout, Mel Kiper — who’s been a staple of ESPN’s draft coverage since the 1980’s.

Mel Kiper Mock Draft 1.0: Minnesota Vikings select LSU cornerback

Way back in 1979, at the age of 18, Mel Kiper began his mock drafts as a student at Essex Community College. Fast forward nearly 50 years, Kiper has become a yearly star, synonymous with the April event.

Wednesday morning, his first 2026 NFL mock draft officially hit the internet. For the Minnesota Vikings, at No. 18 overall in the first round, Kiper has Kwesi selecting cornerback Mansoor Delane, out of LSU.

Delane would bring top-end ball skills and some really good coverage technique to Minnesota. The Vikings redid their cornerback room in 2025 free agency, but they still have depth problems behind Byron Murphy Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers. Plus, Minnesota managed just eight interceptions this season (tied for sixth fewest). Well, over the past two campaigns, Delane has six picks and 18 pass breakups. That’s impact production, and coordinator Brian Flores would love to get a player such as Delane into his unit.

Mel Kiper – ESPN

The LSU product is the second cornerback off the board, behind Jermod McCoy (13th LAR), and a defensive back absolutely makes sense for the MN Vikings, who go into the offseason with Byron Murphy Jr as their No. 1.

Murphy was ranked as the No. 71 CB in the NFL last season by PFF (58.5 DEF grade). Isaiah Rodgers had a good, not great, season in his first year as a Viking (73.8 PFF grade). From there, it’s anyone’s best guess as to what Minnesota’s secondary will look like in 2026.

Mansoor Delane isn’t a “hype DB.”
He’s a toolsy, intelligent, physical corner coming out of the best DB pipeline in college football with a ceiling that hasn’t been hit yet.

He also had ideal corner size
6ft with long arms

Fluid at the hips
Smooth transitions

Can flip and… pic.twitter.com/LsqJpoXx2t

— Korey 🐅 (@BengalsKorey) January 5, 2026

Delane transferred from Virginia Tech to LSU for his senior season. He posted 45 tackles and picked off a pair of passed while being named an All-American. At 6’0″ and 190 pounds, he also has respectable size for the position.

Vikings must be flexible in 2026 NFL Draft

Given the reality that the Minnesota Vikings have multiple positions they could target, it will matter how the board falls when they are on the clock. Kiper sees Kenyon Sadiq going 15th to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which would remove the target another draft expert — Dane Brugler (The Athletic) — recently mocked for Minnesota.

Despite the questions surrounding JJ McCarthy, it seems unlikely that the Vikings will use another first round pick on a quarterback, but Alabama’s Ty Simpson could be in their range, should they be inclined. Kiper has Simpson going 16 to the New York Jets.

Other talents to watch for the Vikings, that Kiper has all being selected after Minnesota’s first pick, include Avieon Terrell (CB – Clemson), Peter Woods (DT – Clemson), Kayden McDonald (DT – Ohio State), and Kadyn Proctor (G/T – Alabama).