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    Andrew Erickson | Tue, Mar 24th 2026, 8:09am EDT

2026 NFL Draft Team Needs & Predictions: Vikings

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.

Pick 18: Minnesota Vikings

Team Needs: EDGE, DT, RB, OL, S, CB, TE

2026 Free Agent Key Losses: WR: Jalen Nailor, DL Jonathan Allen, DL Javon Hargrave, S Harrison Smith

2026 Free Agents:

2027 Free Agents:

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. He 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 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 had 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.

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 organization 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.

The Vikings eventually settled on Kyler Murray as their veteran QB after he was released from the Arizona Cardinals. He will play for the Vikings under the $1.3 million league minimum for one season.

Last year, Murray finished fourth in rushing yards per game among QBs (34.6). The new Vikings QB has been a top-20 QB every year of his career – including 4 top-10 finishes (5 in PPG, including the season from injury in 2023).

The Vikings also re-signed Carson Wentz to a one-year deal.

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 originally owned the 3rd-highest RB cap hit ($15 m) this year. He is also a 31-year-old RB who battled injuries last season (AC Joint). It’s a scary injury because it’s easy to re-aggravate, as he saw happen in 2025.

If Jones is cut…RB becomes a top need for Minnesota with nobody left under contract in 2027. It was confirmed on March 1st that Jones would be released.

However, Jones appeared to take a revised deal to stay with the Vikings. Still, the long-term need at the position will need to be addressed.

Jones split backfield work last year with Mason, finishing as the RB34 in PPG (8.9).  The long-time veteran rushed for a career-low 4.2 yards per carry and 2.7 yards after contact per attempt in 2025.  The former Packers RB is definitely starting to show signs of decline, hence why the Vikings forced him to take a pay cut.

He did finish the season on a decent high note after missing Weeks 3-7. Weeks 14-17, Jones averaged just shy of 10 fantasy points per game with touch counts of 14, 15, 23 and 21 to conclude his 2025 season. However, Mason was also playing through injuries over this time (left Week 16 versus the Giants).

When both guys are healthy, it’s likely a committee approach with Jones seeing more of the pass-game usage. Jones was heavily involved as a receiver, particularly in starts by McCarthy (2.3 receptions per game overall and a 14% target share than ranked 8th among RBs).

Mason also has the slight edge near the red zone…however, they used both guys in that area of the field last season.

Mason did flash some decent rushing upside earlier in the year when Jones missed five games, averaging 13.5 PPR PPG, 15 carries and 75 rushing yards.

Final takeaway: In their 10 healthy games together, Jones averaged 8.3 PPG (half-PPR as RB38). Mason was buried at 5.6 PPG (RB58). He really needs an injury to Jones for him to be fantasy relevant unless the roles/touches dramatically shift in his favor.

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). Kelly announced on March 6th that he was retiring from football.

The rest of the starting unit should be back next season, which bodes well if they can benefit from greater injury luck.

However, OT Brian O’Neill will be a free agent at the end of the year. The signed OT Ryan Van Demark from Buffalo.

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. However, the team released both DT Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen.

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.

Linebacker Eric Wilson signed a three-year extension. CB James Pierre also signed a two-year deal.

And as it is every year…Harrison Smith will eventually need to be replaced at safety. He just turned 37 years old. They re-signed safety Tavierre Thomas to a 2-year deal worth $4.6 million.

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