This is the danger zone of the draft.
Picks 17 through 20 typically belong to teams that hovered around the playoff picture — competitive enough to matter, flawed enough to be exposed. And in 2026, that description fits this group perfectly.
The Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers, and Green Bay Packers (whose selection now belongs to the Dallas Cowboys following the Micah Parsons trade) all enter draft weekend with real expectations — but also very real roster pressure points.
These aren’t teardown teams. They’re close.
But “close” in the NFL can mean very different things. For some, it’s about fixing a defense that couldn’t get off the field in January. For others, it’s about offensive consistency, depth in the trenches, or long-term answers at premium positions.
This range is often where teams must decide: double down on a strength or patch a weakness?
With veteran contracts maturing, cap flexibility tightening, and playoff windows narrowing, these selections carry more urgency than rebuilding picks at the top of the board. Miss here, and you stay stuck in the middle. Hit, and you’re hosting a playoff game next January.
In this batch, we break down:
- The biggest roster holes for each franchise
- Contract situations and future cap implications
- Which positions should be prioritized for veterans and rookies
- Potential fantasy football implications
These teams are close enough to contend — but not complete enough to coast.
Up next: the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers, and the Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay’s selection).
Salary cap contract information provided by Spotrac.
- Fantasy Football Research & Advice
- Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
- 2026 NFL Mock Drafts
- Fantasy Football Trade Tools
- NFL Team Needs: Raiders, Jets, Cardinals, Titans (2026)
- NFL Team Needs: Giants, Browns, Commanders, Saints (2026)
- NFL Team Needs: Chiefs, Bengals, Dolphins, Cowboys (2026)
- NFL Team Needs: Falcons, Ravens, Buccaneers, Colts (2026)
- NFL Team Needs: Lions, Vikings, Panthers, Packers (2026)
- NFL Team Needs: Steelers, Chargers, Eagles, Jaguars (2026)
Pick 18: Minnesota Vikings
2026 Free Agents:
- QB: Carson Wentz, Brett Rypien, John Wolford
- RB: Ty Chandler
- WR: Jalen Nailor, Zavier Scott (ERFA)
- TE: Ben Sims (RFA)
- OL: LT Justin Skule, RT Matt Nelson
- EDGE: Bo Richter (ERFA)
- DL: Jalen Redmond (ERFA)
- LB: Eric Wilson, Ivan Pace (RFA)
- CB: Jeff Okudah, Fabian Moreau
- S: Tavierre Thomas
- ST: Ryan Wright, Andrew DePaola
2027 Free Agents:
- RB: Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason
- WR: Jordan Addison (CLUB), Joaquin Davis (ERFA), Dontae Fleming (ERFA), Jeshaun Jones (ERFA)
- TE: Bryson Nesbit (ERFA)
- OL: OT Brian O’Neill, C Ryan Kelly, G Blake Brandel, G Henry Byrd (ERFA), OT Caleb Etienne (ERFA), G Vershon Lee (ERFA)
- EDGE: Andrew Van Ginkel
- DL: Javon Hargrave, Taki Taimani (RFA), Jaylon Hutchings (ERFA)
- LB: Blake Cashman, Josh Ross (RFA)
- CB: Isaiah Rodgers, Theo Jackson, Dwight McGlothern (RFA), Zemaiah Vaughn (ERFA)
- S: Kahlef Hailassie, Jay Ward
Team Needs: QB, RB, OL, EDGE, CB, LB, S, TE
J.J. McCarthy was a glorified rookie QB in 2025 after missing his true rookie year due to injury.
He has started just 10 games in his first two years in the NFL. And missed time due to more injuries, as he did in Year 1, which definitely hindered his growth potential.
Needless to say, the 2025 results put Minnesota in a tough place at QB. They have ensure of a better backup QB plan in 2026. Because McCarthy is in danger of losing his job, even at 23 years old.
After last year’s bumpy ride, Minnesota has to add another piece to the QB room. Head coach Kevin O’Connell has discussed creating a more competitive QB room next year because this team can’t let another Max Brosmer situation play out. Or watch McCarthy fail and waste any effort by the Brian Flores-led defense.
Simply put: The general manager who drafted McCarthy No. 10 in 2024 has been fired, and the coach who was in full agreement with that decision is now under considerably more scrutiny. Whoever they decide to bring in as the new GM would play a big role in this new QB addition.
Potential Options: Mac Jones, Kyler Murray, Kirk Cousins, Tua Tagovailoa (Frank Smith was the former Dolphins OC and is now the Vikings assistant HC), Aaron Rodgers, Derek Carr, and Jimmy Garoppolo.
At the time of this writing, the GM role remains vacant with no plans to fill the role until after the NFL Draft. Rob Brzezinski is filling the GM role through the draft. He’s the current executive vice president of football operations while also serving as the interim GM. Been with the Vikings organisation since 1999.
Given the current hierarchy, it would appear that KOC has the most prominent voice in the building, especially regarding the team’s next QB.
RB and TE are skill positions that need to be addressed with both Aaron Jones and T.J. Hockenson on the potential salary cap chopping block. Jones owns the 3rd-highest RB cap hit ($15 m) this year. He is also a 31-year-old RB who battled injuries last season.
If Jones is cut…RB becomes a top need with nobody left under contract in 2027.
A big part of why the Vikings struggled offensively in 2025 was the offensive line. It was gutted by injuries. OT Christian Darrisaw only played 10 games. Starting center Ryan Kelly only played eight games (and might be another cut candidate). The starting unit should be back next season, which bodes well if they can benefit from greater injury luck.
However, OT Brian O’Neill and Kelly will both be FAs at the end of the year.
Defensively, Brian Flores is going to push for an edge rusher in Round 1 – not necessarily a cornerback (Tony Pauline). Both are needed with the defensive interior in good shape.
Linebacker needs to be addressed, with the top two guys from last season in need of new deals. Same goes for CB – just need more bodies.
And as it is every year…Harrison Smith will eventually need to be replaced at safety. He just turned 37 years old.
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