The Minnesota Vikings ended up seeing their 2025 season go completely sideways. After having immense just the season prior with Sam Darnold under center, the hope for Minnesota was that they could turn the offense over to JJ McCarthy and let him start to gain experience while showing he could be the franchise quarterback.
The experience was gained, but the results did not show. McCarthy struggled, and while the Vikings finished with a record above .500, they struggled in numerous spots during last season that gave them more questions than answers for the 2026 offseason.
With the 2026 NFL Draft, there are numerous different directions the Vikings could end up going to try and get the team back on track.
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Minnesota Vikings 7-Round NFL Mock Draft
The Vikings currently hold 10 picks overall throughout the entire draft. Their first pick in the first round comes at 18th overall. This amount of draft capital allows them to get impact players, while also correctly build out the depth of the team.
In this installment of the 2026 NFL 7-Round Mock Draft series, TWSN analysts Marissa Myers and Steve Bradshaw go through what a successful draft would look like for the Vikings.
Mock Draft Done Using the PFF Mock Draft Simulator.
Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson: First-Round Pick, 18th Overall
It should be something that is expected at this point when it comes to the. Vikings and taking a cornerback in a mock draft. Until the position can show improvement and that the backend can produce sustainable results, it will continue to be a position the Vikings must address.
When it comes to Avieon Terrell, he is extremely fluid in coverage and does a great job of tracking the ball in the air. Terrell plays with a competitive fire, which allows him to win even against bigger receivers while also helping stop the run.
Just last season, Terrell only allowed 340 yards on 29 receptions, and that was with being targeted 51 times. He is scheme versatile, so he can fit right in with the Vikings.
Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame: Second-Round Pick, 49th Overall
Now that Aaron Jones is 31 years old, it’s time for the Minnesota Vikings to find their next RB1. At 5’11, 210 lbs, Jadarian Price is perfectly capable of that.
Especially because Price doesn’t have to be a bellcow, as Jordan Mason is a strong RB2. Price is viewed as the consensus RB2 in this class, and this seems like a very realistic selection in round three.
Jake Slaughter, C, Florida: Third-Round Pick, 82nd Overall
The Vikings have real concerns with the interior of their offensive line, especially at the center position. Ryan Kelly dealt with three concussions last season, and should consider retiring. Behind him, the depth is just Blake Brandel and Michael Jurgens, neither of which should be trusted to start.
By drafting Slaughter, the Vikings would solve this issue instantly. Slaughter plays efficiently and is able to seal off defenders quickly with his impressive movement skills. Over his entire career, Slaughter only allowed four total sacks, with two coming in 2023.
The strength Slaughter displays in pass protection, as well as the pop he gets in run blocking to clear lanes, all point to reasons why Minnesota must consider drafting him.
Carson Beck, QB, Miami: Third-Round Pick, 97th Overall
Instead of getting extremely aggressive, the Vikings can choose to add another quarterback to the room with Carson Beck.
This pick was made in a previous TWSN Vikings mock draft, and here’s why: “Beck, on the other hand, doesn’t have a ton of upside, but he has somewhat of a high floor. With Beck, he plays very well without pressure, and when things are going right for him.”
With that in mind, Beck makes a ton of sense to potentially take over for McCarthy.
Pat Coogan, C, Indiana: Fifth-Round Pick, 161st Overall
Again, the center depth isn’t great, so the Vikings should not overlook the chance to better solidify their depth there, as well as bring in competition to get the right center under center.
With Coogan, he only allowed two sacks across three seasons, with zero last season. He spent the last two seasons playing center, but did also play at left guard in 2023, showing he can provide the versatility along the lineup if that is what gets him playing time.
Bishop Fitzgerald, S, USC: Fifth-Round Pick, 195th Overall
Harrison Smith is 37 years old, and the Vikings need to add some more depth at safety. Bishop Fitzgerald isn’t an elite prospect, but the consensus big board actually has him at 161.
Not only that, but Fitzgerald posted an elite 90.8 PFF coverage grade on 290 coverage snaps this past year. In round five, Fitzgerald is a good pick.
Kaleb Elarms-Orr, LB, TCU: Sixth-Round Pick, 197th Overall
In case the Vikings can’t re-sign either Eric Wilson or Ivan Pace, they need to start thinking about drafting more depth at the spot.
Elarms-Orr is a physical defender that Brian Flores would be able to unlock at the NFL level. Over his past two seasons at TCU, Elarms-Oree ended up with 184 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, and 6.0 sacks.
He isn’t necessarily elite with his quickness, but he does have the range to play from sideline-to-sideline. He also is able to come downhill quickly to stop the run. He has shown the growth each season, and that is something the Vikings can bank on with his upside.
Dae’Quan Wright, TE, Ole Miss: Sixth-Round Pick, 202nd Overall
T.J. Hockenson only had 438 yards this past year, and at 28 years old, his time in Minnesota might be coming to an end. Hockenson hits free agency in 2028, but even for 2026, the Vikings could use some more depth.
There’s not a ton of great options, but Dae’Quan Wright was the selection here. Wright comes in at 6’4, 255 lbs, but he was actually significantly better with his PFF receiving grade (75.5) than his pass block grade (43.2).
He also played 201 in-line snaps compared to 152 in the slot last year (per PFF). Even so, Wright makes sense as a potential depth option.
Josh Cameron: Seventh-Round Pick, 234th Overall
The Vikings don’t have a pressing need for a wide receiver on the surface, but they still should look to address the position. Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are a good duo, but the Vikings need to start looking for a third wide receiver that can be relied upon.
With Cameron sitting here, he is worth the Vikings taking. Cameron was the top target for Baylor, and is coming off a season in which he had 872 yards and nine touchdowns. The strength and balance in which he plays with will allow him to be another reliable receiver for Minnesota, and further help them diversify their receiving room.
Joey Aguilar, QB, Tennessee: Seventh-Round Pick, 240th Overall
Going back to quarterback, Joey Aguilar makes sense as more of an upside shot. Aguilar has proved that he can push the ball down the field with over 20 big-time throws in 2023 through 2025 (per PFF).
With a 6’3, 225 lb frame, Aguilar is an intriguing quarterback prospect.
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