The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in Pittsburgh next April, a city that hosts a team, the Steelers, with whom the Vikings will play in Dublin this season. Before next April, though, there will be plenty of speculation and buildup for the team and who they may add to the roster through the draft.
CBS Sports’ Mike Renner recently released the latest 2026 NFL mock draft of the cycle. In a somewhat surprising move, the Vikings were given Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey. The former Stanford defender made his way to Lubbock this year through the transfer portal, and with him, he brought his raw pass-rush ability.
Renner discusses the pick, writing, “David Bailey has a lightning quick first step that would fit in nicely in Brian Flores’ defense. He would give them another front-seven option who would keep offensive lines’ head spinning on third downs.”
While the idea of adding a pass rusher isn’t a bad one, it points to the pressure being applied to Dallas Turner, who has not yet returned on his investment of being a first-round draft pick. While Brian Flores has done his best to get the most out of him, so far he has not lived up to the billing.
Bailey is a raw but talented pass rusher and would be a fun piece to add to the Vikings defense. However, if they get Dallas Turner to perform in 2025, this pick could go a different direction.