October feels early to be doing mock drafts, but with both the college and NFL seasons somewhere around the midpoint, the picture for what might happen next April is beginning to take shape.
Minnesota Vikings fans like to lament general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's draft record, which has only marginally improved from the disaster class that was his first draft class in 2022.
But if some players in the last couple of drafts develop as hoped, that track record will start looking better quickly.
The best NFL teams aren't married to drafting for need, and in a broad sense, the Vikings should be in that position in the first round of the 2026 draft. The proverbial "best player available" should be in play, with little or no regard for having to fill a major need.
Minnesota Vikings go in an unexpected direction in new 2026 NFL mock draft
In his new 2026 mock draft, PFF's Trevor Sikkema has Minnesota taking Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with the 18th overall pick.
"Love’s season started with a quiet showing against Miami, but that was less on him and more about a lack of opportunities. Since then, he’s been on a tear, showcasing once again that he is the most talented back in the country with an 88.0 rushing grade and 69.9 receiving grade. He’s already forced 26 missed tackles with a 3.65 yards after contact per attempt average."
Love is widely regarded as the best running back in the 2026 draft class, and as such, he is the only running back in Sikkema's new mock. He has topped 100 yards from scrimmage in four of his last five games, with 11 total touchdowns over that five-game stretch.
At a glance, Minnesota seems fairly well set at running back in 2026 with Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones both under contract.
But neither of them is under contract beyond next season right now, and while it would involve a notable dead money hit, the Vikings could part with Jones before $2 million of his 2026 salary becomes guaranteed on the third day of the league year.
With the volatility and short shelf life of the position, keeping the running back pipeline filled is always on the radar for teams.
If Love is the best player available when the Vikings are on the clock in the first round next April, it'd be hard to turn away from him in deference to a "need" at another position.s