For the first time since 2011, the Minnesota Vikings don't have an official general manager as they prepare to make their selections in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Back in January, the Vikings made the decision to fire Kwesi Adofo-Mensah after he spent the last four years as their general manager. Instead of finding a replacement for Adofo-Mensah right away, Minnesota is planning to begin its search for a new general manager after the conclusion of this year's NFL Draft.
So, leading the Vikings' front office this week is current Executive Vice President of Football Operations, Rob Brzezinski, who has been with the team since 1999. Will Minnesota have a successful NFL Draft this year with Brzezinski in charge, or will not having an official general manager end up proving to be a terrible decision?
- Minnesota Vikings 2026 NFL Draft snapshot
- Best Remaining Targets in the 2026 NFL Draft
- What the NFL Draft Experts are Saying
- Updated Minnesota Vikings 2026 Depth Chart
- NFC North Rivals' Draft Picks in 2026
- Minnesota Vikings NFL Draft Pick Tracker
Minnesota Vikings 2026 NFL Draft snapshot
- Current Draft Capital:Â Picks No. 18, No. 49, No. 82, No. 97, No. 117, No. 158, No. 163, No. 196, No. 198, No. 211, No. 234, No. 235, No. 244
- Primary Needs:Â Interior defensive line, safety, running back, wide receiver, offensive tackle, cornerback
- Latest Mock Selection:Â Dillon Thieneman - S (Oregon)
- Last Updated:Â Monday, April 20, 2:00 p.m. CST
Best Remaining Targets in the 2026 NFL Draft
Jeremiyah Love - RB (Notre Dame)
Jeremiyah Love joining the Vikings' offense would immediately give fans flashbacks to the franchise's iconic 1998 team that lit up the scoreboard week after week. Chances are low that Love will be around for Minnesota to draft, but one can dream, can't they?
Caleb Downs - S (Ohio State)
Another safety has been constantly mocked to the Vikings this draft season, but Caleb Downs would be an incredible option to replace longtime Minnesota safety Harrison Smith, who might have potentially already played his last snap with the organization.
Carnell Tate - WR (Ohio State)
Jordan Addison is possibly entering his final season with the Vikings, and not a lot of people are talking about it. If Minnesota were to find a way to snag Carnell Tate in this week's NFL Draft, that would not only fill the team's WR3 hole in 2026 but it would also give the Vikings a replacement for Addison in 2027.
Kayden McDonald - DL (Ohio State)
Jalen Redmond has been a pleasant surprise for Minnesota in the middle of its defensive line, but some additional talent is still needed for the position group after the offseason departures of veterans Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave.
Allen and Hargrave didn't live up to expectations in 2025, but the Vikings still need to fill the void they left behind, even if it's a small one.
D'Angelo Ponds - CB (Indiana)
D'Angelo Ponds is one of the most versatile prospects in the entire 2026 draft pool, and that's a trait that typically translates well in a Brian Flores defense. Flores would certainly get the most out of Ponds' skill-set, and that would potentially make Minnesota's defense even more frightening than it already is.
What the NFL Draft Experts are Saying
Jordan Reid's Prediction (ESPN): Kenyon Sadiq - TE (Oregon) at pick No. 18
"Tight end isn't the Vikings' biggest need -- those would be safety and defensive tackle -- but Thieneman is off the board as a possible Harrison Smith replacement and there isn't a defensive tackle worth taking at this point of the draft. Sadiq is a speedy (4.39 seconds in the 40-yard dash) receiving tight end whom Minnesota could use in multiple ways in its offense."
Dane Brugler's Prediction (The Athletic): Jermod McCoy - CB (Tennessee) at pick No. 18
"McCoy is a tough player to project in a mock draft — some teams are comfortable with his 2025 knee injury, while others won’t consider him in the first round. I don’t know how the Vikings feel, but adding his level of talent to a Brian Flores defense would be fun to watch."
Charles McDonald's Prediction (Yahoo Sports): Kayden McDonald - DT (Ohio State) at pick No. 18
"The Vikings could use a big-time talent on the interior of their defensive line, and they get that here with McDonald. He is one of the underrated gems of this draft class, being a bit overshadowed by his teammates who were (mock) drafted prior to this pick.
He has a lot of playmaking ability for a nose tackle prospect, notching an absurd 65 tackles (31 solo) with nine of them going for a loss. He also had three sacks and two forced fumbles. That level of production is a bit of an anomaly — he’d be the active run plugger this defense quietly needs in a big way."
Chad Reuter's Prediction (NFL.com): Colton Hood - CB (Tennessee) at pick No. 18
"The Vikings come away from this pick hoping the speedy, fiery Hood ends their interminable search for a shutdown outside corner. They have a long-term need at the position, too, with Isaiah Rodgers set to enter free agency after 2026 and Byron Murphy Jr. due a huge base salary ($17.4 million, per Over The Cap) in 2027."
Updated Minnesota Vikings 2026 Depth Chart
Offense
- QB:Â Kyler Murray, J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, Max Brosmer
- RB:Â Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, Zavier Scott
- WR:Â Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Tai Felton, Myles Price, Jeshaun Jones, Dontae Fleming, Joaquin Davis
- TE:Â T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Ben Yurosek, Gavin Bartholomew, Bryson Nesbit
- OL:Â Christian Darrisaw (LT), Donovan Jackson (LG), Blake Brandel (C), Will Fries (RG), Brian O'Neill (RT), Ryan Van Demark (OT), Walter Rouse (OT), Joe Huber (OG), Henry Byrd (OG), Michael Jurgens (C), Caleb Etienne (OT), Vershon Lee (OG)
Defense
- IDL:Â Jalen Redmond, Levi Drake Rodriguez, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Taki Taimani, Elijah Williams, Jaylon Hutchings
- EDGE:Â Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Dallas Turner, Bo Richter, Tyler Batty, Chaz Chambliss
- LB:Â Blake Cashman, Eric Wilson, Ivan Pace Jr., Josh Ross, Jacob Roberts
- CB:Â Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, James Pierre, Kahlef Hailassie, Dwight McGlothern, Zemaiah Vaughn
- S:Â Josh Metellus, Jay Ward, Theo Jackson, Tavierre Thomas
Special Teams
- K: Will Reichard
- P: Johnny Hekker
- LS: Andrew DePaola
NFC North Rivals' Draft Picks in 2026
Chicago Bears:Â No. 25, No. 57, No. 60, No. 89, No. 125, No. 129, No. 165, No. 206, No. 239, No. 241
Detroit Lions:Â No. 17, No. 50, No. 81, No. 100, No. 118, No. 157, No. 181, No. 199, No. 205, No. 213, No. 222, No. 233
Green Bay Packers:Â No. 20, No. 52, No. 84, No. 120, No. 160, No. 201, No. 236, No. 255
Minnesota Vikings NFL Draft Pick Tracker
Pick | Player |
|---|---|
1-18 | |
2-49 | |
3-82 | |
3-97 | |
4-117 | |
5-158 | |
5-163 | |
6-196 | |
6-198 | |
6-211 | |
7-234 | |
7-235 | |
7-244 |
Add us as a preferred source on Google