As Minnesota Vikings fans inch closer to the 2026 NFL Draft, it feels like the franchise could go in so many different directions with its 18th overall pick.
Early on, a lot of mock drafts were going safety in the first round for the Vikings as they look for a replacement for Harrison Smith, but it feels like, of late, that wide receiver might actually be the play for them.
The Minnesota Star Tribune's Ben Goessling recently appeared on KFXN- FM radio, where he discussed what the play is at wide receiver for Minnesota will be in the near future regarding whether they will use a first-round pick or sign a veteran.
Goessling thinks both will happen with a veteran name being dropped in the response.
“I’m going to answer that yes… to both. I think, if they could find a veteran — I mean, DeAndre Hopkins name has come up.
…If you could get a guy in here like a Hopkins, that has rapport with Kyler Murray — it depends on what he wants to play for, it depends on what he wants his role to be.”
Minnesota Vikings could be drafting and signing a veteran at wide receiver
The early speculation for the draft is that Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson has been dropping on NFL teams' boards and could slide in the first round. If Tyson is available for the Vikings in the first round, it might be hard to pass up on such a great talent.
There have been other names brought up at wide receiver that would make sense for the Vikings, with Washington's Denzel Boston getting some looks.
While it might be a reach for someone projected to go later in the first round and potentially drop in the second, Boston is a large, possession receiver who would help replace Jalen Nailor, who left in free agency for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Hopkins is becoming harder to ignore as a solid option at receiver for the Vikings. That's another possession receiver Minnesota could use to help them in goal-line situations when they need to throw the fade route.
It's easy to connect Hopkins to new Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray since both players' best seasons came when they were together with the Arizona Cardinals. The Vikings could get Hopkins at a cheap cost and have someone Murray can be familiar with to start his time in Minnesota.
Minnesota could be trying to get through the NFL Draft first before deciding on whether they want to bring Hopkins in, but if any other position is selected in the first round, fans might as well help Hopkins buy a one-way first-class ticket to Minneapolis.
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