The NFL Draft is less than three weeks away, and the picture of what the Minnesota Vikings are going to do with the 18th overall pick is starting to become clearer. Mock drafts have listed numerous players over the last few months, with positions of need like safety, cornerback, and defensive tackle often being common selections.
Lately, it's hard to look at a mock draft without seeing Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman being the Vikings' pick. It's become so commonplace that it would be a bit of a shock if it didn't come into fruition.
The NFL Draft is full of surprises, and teams often select players who aren't commonly mocked to the team. Could that be the case for the Vikings this year? If so, here are four sleeper players the Vikings could take with the 18th overall pick.
Which prospects should interest the Minnesota Vikings at pick 18 during the 2026 NFL Draft?
Keldric Faulk Edge, Auburn
Defensive tackle, safety, center, and cornerback are primarily seen as the Vikings' biggest needs this offseason. There's one that is nipping at the heels of those, and it is edge. With Jonathan Greenard's future in limbo and not much reliable on the depth chart, a pass rusher is needed. It can't be ruled out in the first round, and a guy who would make a lot of sense is Auburn's Keldric Faulk.
Faulk is a 20-year-old phenom who has massive size, standing 6'6" and weighing 285 pounds. He's got a very long wingspan that he can use to ward off blockers, is explosive off the snap, and possesses plenty of power. What will have Brian Flores licking his chops is Faulk's versatility. Not only can he line up at the edge, but Faulk could play with his hand in the dirt at the end, or kick inside to tackle. He is a true Swiss Army Knife type of player and could essentially improve multiple positions at once.
The big concern with Faulk is his lack of production a season ago. Despite his massive frame and elite athleticism, he only mustered two sacks. Some of that was because of how he was used in the Auburn front, but the lack of domination is a bit worrisome. That being said, Faulk's upside and potential are through the roof, and he has to be someone that Brian Flores will be pounding the table for, perhaps even loud enough that he'll be the selection when the Vikings are on the clock.
Jordan Tyson WR, Arizona St.
If the Vikings took another first-round wide receiver, a lot of Vikings fans would moan and groan about it, but with Kevin O'Connell as the head coach and with his love of the passing game, it can't be ruled out. A player who would make sense if they shock the world and go that route is Jordan Tyson from Arizona State.
It has been reported that the Vikings want to add a bigger-bodied pass catcher to their receiving room, and Tyson fits that bill. He's 6'2" and 200 pounds, and despite that big frame, he's a smooth mover who runs fluid routes. Tyson was ultra-productive at Arizona St. as he racked up 2282 yards on 158 career receptions and found the end zone a jaw-dropping 22 times. The only knock on Tyson is that he's missed a lot of time due to injuries, and that's why this talented player could still be on the board when the Vikings get to pick.
Adding a player like Tyson would take this Vikings offense to another level. He'd play on the outside opposite Justin Jefferson, with Jordan Addison being a terror in the slot. That is a scary three-headed monster for any team facing the Vikings, and one that would put a smile on the face of whoever ends up being the quarterback for the Vikings.
CJ Allen LB, Georgia
Even with Eric Wilson's re-signing, linebacker remains a position of need for the Vikings. Cashman and Wilson are a fantastic starting duo, but there's no depth behind them. Ivan Pace Jr. failed as a starter last year and looks like a long shot to make the final 53-man roster. Behind Pace are players that even a diehard Vikings fan would be unable to recognize. It's a need that isn't getting talked about enough, and one that could be addressed with the 18th pick.
If the Vikings do surprise and go linebacker in the first round, the man whose name would be called is Georgia linebacker CJ Allen. Allen possesses all the traits required to be an excellent starting NFL linebacker. He's smart, has great speed, has the size, and is a big-time hitter. What will make him extra attractive to Brian Flores and the Vikings is his ability to blitz. Allen excels at shooting gaps and getting to the quarterback. He would fit in perfectly in Flores's scheme and would be the ideal successor to Eric Wilson.
There are some concerns about Allen's coverage ability, and while it can be criticized, it isn't a huge weakness and is an area he can work to improve. His 205 career tackles, four and a half career sacks, and 13.5 career tackles for a loss point to the type of impact player he'll be at the next level.
Kenyon Sadiq TE, Oregon
A report came out last week from Ian Rappaport, stating that the Vikings were going to go with the best player available with the 18th pick. Teams always say they take the best player on their board, when in reality, they are just taking the best player at a position of need. If the Vikings end up grabbing Kenyon Sadiq with the 18th pick, it will truly be because he was the best player available, and years from now could be looked at as one of the best players from this entire class.
Sadiq is an athletic freak who tested off the charts at the Combine. He measured in at 6'3" and 241 pounds, and ran a blazing 4.39 40-Yard dash at that size. He had the highest overall athleticism score from all the tight ends at the Combine, proving he is a rare specimen at the position. Sadiq is a matchup nightmare, with the ability to split out wide, play on the line, or even line up in the slot. That versatility led to a very productive college career with 80 receptions for 892 yards and 11 total touchdowns. The only slight concern would be his blocking ability, but even that is more than adequate.
Tight end is a secondary need for the Vikings. TJ Hockenson restructured his contract, but will be gone at season's end. Josh Oliver is a heckuva blocker, but the depth falls off a cliff with a late round pick with back issues, and some undrafted players. Adding Sadiq to an offense that includes Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison would be unstoppable. Teams wouldn't be able to double-team any of these guys, leaving them one-on-one with their defenders.
Having that trio as pass catchers would also open up the running game and make life so much easier for Kyler Murray or JJ McCarthy at quarterback. It's unlikely Sadiq makes it to pick 18, but he's the type of player you take over a position of need because he's just that good.