The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft is history, and the Minnesota Vikings got their man when they shockingly took former Florida defensive lineman Caleb Banks with the 18th overall pick.
He'll be a big boost on Minnesota's defensive line, assuming he stays healthy, and while the team is definitely excited about that impact, there are still a lot of holes that need to be addressed on this roster. Safety, cornerback, center, and running back are all major areas of need.
The Vikings are set to be on the clock again midway through the second round at pick No. 49 on Friday, and here are four of the best players who are still out there to be had.
CJ Allen - LB (Georgia)
It's a shame that CJ Allen wasn't a first-round pick. The dude is truly the total package when it comes to the inside linebacker position.
He has a super high football IQ, can track sideline to sideline, is an above-average blitzer, and can cover. Allen recently had a very solid Pro Day, running faster and overall just putting on a better athletic performance than many expected.
He had the production in college with 205 total tackles, four and a half sacks, and 13.5 tackles for a loss.
So the reason for the fall is that teams just had bigger needs at other positions or that they viewed other positions as more valuable.
The Vikings do have a need at inside linebacker. It's not glaring as Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson are a dynamic duo, but Wilson is entering the twilight of his career.
Allen would be an ideal replacement who could get acclimated to the NFL game slowly, playing rotationally but with an increasing snap count each week.
If Allen makes it to the 49th pick, Minnesota should waste little time calling his name because his talent and production warrant a much earlier selection.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren - S (Toledo)
The Vikings could've addressed their need at safety in the first round, but decided to pass on Dillon Thineman for Caleb Banks.
While that move initially looks like a head scratcher, if they can land McNeil-Warren in the second round, all will be forgiven.
McNeil-Warren was a player often mocked to the Vikings early in the draft process, and even was picking up steam about a week ago.
He's an instinctive player who can cover and lay the big hit. He seemed like an ideal fit in Flores's system and a guy who could help ease the loss of Harrison Smith if he does choose to retire.
He was very productive at Toledo with 214 career tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, 13 pass breakups, and five interceptions.
It's a bit surprising that McNeil-Warren is still available. It might be because he's from a small school, or that he ran the 40-yard dash in only 4.5 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine, or maybe a combination of both.
Those are issues, but not enough to keep this talented player from being one of the first 32 selections.
If Minnesota can somehow land him in the second round, it would be a huge value, and one that could help improve the Vikings' draft grade after their reach in the first round.
Colton Hood - CB (Tennessee)
Minnesota didn't grab a cornerback in the first round, and there's still plenty of talent on the board.
Jermod McCoy is the big boy who's around, but with those knee issues, that wasn't a surprise.
After using their first round pick on Banks, there's zero chance the Vikings can afford to gamble again and take a guy with medical issues, so that puts Colton Hood to the forefront.
Hood has the desired size at about 6-feet and nearly 200 pounds. The dude is a perfect fit for Brian Flores's defense as he can play on an island and win most of those one-on-one battles.
He's got a big wingspan and excels in run support. He checks all the boxes in what Flores wants in his corners, but the question lingers if he'll be there or not.
He was a borderline first-round talent, and even Daniel Jeremiah had him going to Minnesota in the first round in his final mock draft.
Cornerback isn't the Vikings' biggest need, but if Hood continues to fall and is around at pick No. 49, it would be a no-brainer for Minnesota.
Denzel Boston - WR (Washington)
There have been rumblings coming out of Minnesota that the Vikings want a big bodied reciver to put on the outside opposite Justin Jefferson.
They don't get much bigger than Denzel Boston, as the dude stands about 6-foot-4 and weighs 212 pounds. He's a contested catch specialist and can be a major threat in the red zone.
Boston was very productive in college, hauling in 132 passes for 1781 yards and 20 touchdowns.
He's flying a bit under the radar this draft season, and that's a major reason why he's still on the board.
Wide receiver isn't the Vikings' biggest need, but if Rob Brezesznki is truly going to go with the best player available, then Boston should be the choice.
He's easily one of the best 50 players in this class and would be a huge asset for whoever ends up being the Vikings' starting quarterback for next season.
Let's not forget that Kevin O'Connell is going to have a major say in who is picked in this class, and he loves to throw the football.
If Boston and a defensive player are available with this pick, the head coach may pull his weight and add another weapon for what he loves to do best, and that is put the ball in the air.
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