The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine is over for the Minnesota Vikings and the 31 other teams around the league. 319 prospects were invited, and many of those either performed up to expectations or exceeded them.
There are plenty of lists and videos on the winners from each day and how those players helped their draft stock. Unfortunately, there's also the flip side of that.
Some prospects do not hit the metrics that many scouts, teams, and analysts believe they will. Fair or not, they are quickly labeled losers, and their draft stock takes a tumble. Other than a major medical red flag, prospects truly don't lose that much ground from an underwhelming workout.
However, a bad performance can't be overlooked, and there are three players the Vikings should move down a few slots on their draft board after disappointing showings at the combine.
3 prospects who fell down the Minnesota Vikings' draft board at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine
Jermod McCoy - CB (Tennessee)
Jermod McCoy has been a popular mock draft pick for the Vikings with the 18th overall selection. It's for good reason, too.
He's got great size at 6-foot-1 and 188 pounds, broke up 16 passes from 2023 to 2024, and intercepted six passes. He's got all the tools to be a shutdown cornerback in the NFL, but he is coming off an ACL injury suffered last January.
Many expected that the Scouting Combine would be the place where we'd all finally get a look at McCoy, as he had been medically cleared to compete and test. However, he made the decision not work out, despite admitting he's medically cleared but "Just didn't feel ready yet."
McCoy is going to do all the workouts at his Pro Day, but the lack of wanting to compete amongst his peers rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. He had the green light to perform, and teams wanted to see if he still had the speed, fluidity, and lower-body explosion that made him such a tantalizing prospect.
Working out only at his Pro Day is a way to protect himself and his draft stock. He can work out in a familiar atmosphere with his coaches leading the drills. The decision to wait is disappointing and does raise questions about his competitive drive, but the biggest factor will be what the medical tests reveal.
If McCoy comes back with some chronic concerns about his knee, then his stock will take a major tumble. If things look good, there are still enough questions here for the Vikings to move him down their board a few spots and take a cornerback prospect with fewer concerns or address a different position altogether.
Emmett Johnson - RB (Nebraska)
One prospect who showed up on just about every single Scouting Combine losers list was Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson.
Johnson was expected to be in the running to be the second or third running back off the board behind Jeremiyah Love, but after his performance at the Scouting Combine, that looks unlikely.
The Minneapolis native has plenty of positives in his game. He's got great vision, can cut on a dime, and is an excellent catcher of the football.
His stats were very impressive a season ago as he rushed for over 1,450 yards with 12 touchdowns and caught 46 passes for 370 yards and three touchdowns. However, there were questions about his overall speed and athleticism, and he answered those in all the wrong ways.
Johnson posted the slowest 40-yard dash time amongst the running backs with a 4.56. The rest of his workout numbers were pretty substandard with a 35.5" vertical jump, a 10'0" broad jump, and a bench press of just 16 reps.
His overall athleticism score of 64 was 20th amongst the running backs who participated. The workout was disappointing for sure, and something Johnson will have to rectify at his Pro Day to get his stock back on track.
Johnson has expressed his desire to play for his hometown Vikings and said the team did meet with him. Minnesota is expected to either add a back through free agency or the draft, and Johnson is a guy they probably thought they'd have to take in the second round if they wanted to add him.
After his Scouting Combine performance, there's a good chance he'll be there in the third round, and someone they could now potentially land with their expected compensatory pick.
Malachi Fields - WR (Notre Dame)
Wide receiver is a wild card need for the Vikings in this year's NFL draft. Jordan Addison and Jalen Nailor's futures with the team are uncertain, and Tai Felton doesn't look close to contributing anytime soon.
One prospect who was intriguing was Malachi Fields from Notre Dame. The 6'4 1/2" big-bodied receiver wowed at the Senior Bowl and saw his draft stock skyrocket. There were plenty of mock drafts that even had him sneaking into the back end of the first round. Those talks will now cool off after a poor showing at the Scouting Combine.
The biggest concern regarding Fields was his speed. This was a guy who lived off of go routes and his ability to go up and get the football. A 4.5 or better would've solidified his first-round status, but he posted a 4.61, and now there are serious concerns if he'll be able to create separation at the next level.
Fields also had a couple of drops in the gauntlet drill, bringing up concerns about his hands.
The Vikings probably weren't looking at Fields as a possible first-round pick, but if he fell to the second and they deemed him the best player available, perhaps they could've snatched him up there. Now they'll likely wait another full round before they take a slow receiver despite his exceptional size.