There were a lot of selections that got the Minnesota Vikings fans' attention, but one was somewhat puzzling for them, and it might end up actually being one of their best picks.
The Vikings selected Cincinnati linebacker Jake Golday in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft after many fans were calling for them to go in another direction, like safety. ESPN NFL Draft expert Jordan Reid named Golday a developmental pick to watch from the draft that could be a great player.
"He won't play a ton early on in his career because of a crowded depth chart, but Golday has the perfect defensive coordinator to unlock his skill set in Brian Flores. Look for big things in 2027 and beyond."
The Minnesota Vikings might have something special in Jake Golday if they are patient
Golday is a really good linebacker who shone brightly last season with the Bearcats, racking up 104 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 3 pass deflections, and 1 forced fumble. He was named as a first-team All-Big 12 selection for his play on the field.
The instincts that Golday has in finding the ball carrier are what stick out on his game tape. Vikings fans aren't going to see him miss many tackles, as he can fly all over the field. When talking about flying, what that means is his 4.6-second speed helps him stay up with any offensive player on the field.
Many Vikings fans were wondering why they decided on Golday over any of the safeties that were available in the draft in Round 2. Minnesota could be planning for when Ivan Pace and Blake Cashman become free agents next offseason.
Minnesota can have Golday on the bench for the year, learning and helping on special teams, and potentially rotating in at linebacker occasionally throughout the season. This way, Golday isn't rushed onto the field and can learn from the starters before he eventually takes a starting spot in 2027.
It also presents an opportunity for Flores to work with his young linebacker to play the style of defense he wants him to. In the past, Flores has developed some great young talent, and he hopes to do the same with Golday.
Selecting Golday won't yield an immediate payoff in his rookie season in the NFL, but once he develops into a full-time starter under Flores, the possibilities are endless for him and the Minnesota Vikings.
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