{"id":840518,"date":"2026-03-29T07:21:35","date_gmt":"2026-03-29T07:21:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/840518\/"},"modified":"2026-03-29T07:21:35","modified_gmt":"2026-03-29T07:21:35","slug":"the-final-vikings-mock-draft-of-march-is-here","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/840518\/","title":{"rendered":"The Final Vikings Mock Draft of March Is Here"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"AggiesAug 30, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver KC Concepcion (7) after returning a punt for a touchdown in the first quarter against the UTSA Roadrunners at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Sean Thomas-Imagn Images.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

April arrives on Wednesday, which means draft month is near, and we asked VikingsTerritory writers to get together for a collaborative mock draft to close out free agency month. Using NFL Mock Draft Database\u2019s simulator<\/a>, here\u2019s what the panel came up with for the purple team.<\/p>\n

One more seven-round Vikings forecast before April starts scrambling everything.<\/p>\n

No trades were executed in the interest of simplicity and may be scarce in the first place because Kwesi Adofo-Mensah no longer works for the Vikings.<\/p>\n

Projecting Minnesota\u2019s Best Pre-April Draft Blueprint<\/p>\n

Our first writers swerved to start the festivities. <\/p>\n

\"KCTexas A&M Aggies wide receiver KC Concepcion (7) breaks free on a punt return, racing downfield for a touchdown during the second half, Oct. 25, 2025, at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, against the LSU Tigers as coverage collapses and the sideline erupts during a pivotal moment in the game. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images.<\/p>\n

Round 1 (Pick 18)
KC Concepcion (WR) | Texas A&M
The Mock Drafter: Wes Johnson<\/p>\n

Drafting should be about the best player available (BPA), and then need, so Concepcion checks both boxes. <\/p>\n

With the recent contract extension of Seattle Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba<\/a>, averaging a bit over $42 million a year, the indicators are pretty clear: WR is considered a premium position by the NFL. Looking further into the Vikings, they are a team in need of a WR3 on the 2026 roster, and delving deeper, they will need to add to their pass-catching group in 2027 when the contracts of Jordan Addison<\/a> and T.J. Hockenson expire.<\/p>\n

Enter Concepcion, who is a dynamic playmaker with the ball in his hands.<\/p>\n

He has the size to play the Z, but would be eased into the offense in the slot. I\u2019ve got Concepcion over Jordyn Tyson here because Tyson struggled to separate in college, something I feel Kevin O\u2019Connell\u2019s offense depends on. Concepcion reminds me a bit of Addison, and should the Vikings decide to move on, Concepcion will slot right in.<\/p>\n

Round 2 (Pick 49)
Lee Hunter (DT) | Texas Tech
The Mock Drafter: Kyle Joudry<\/p>\n

Saying no to running backs in Round 2 is painful, but it\u2019s the DT. Lee Hunter is the pick. Trenches still matter, so snagging a promising player for the defensive line is the move.<\/p>\n

Round 3 (Pick 82)
Mike Washington Jr. (RB) | Arkansas
The Mock Drafter: Janik Eckardt<\/p>\n

After impressive testing results, including a sub-4.35 forty-yard dash \u2014 a particularly notable time for a 225-pound running back \u2014 Washington Jr. has rapidly climbed draft boards.<\/p>\n

Washington\u2019s burst, acceleration, and big-play ability give him significant home-run potential, making him an attractive option for the Vikings, who are seeking to inject speed and explosiveness into their offensive scheme with youth at RB. <\/p>\n

Round 3 (Pick 97)
Genesis Smith (S) | Arizona
The Mock Drafter: Adam New<\/p>\n

The Vikings need a safety, and in Genesis Smith<\/a>, they get one of the best coverage safeties in the draft with great play-making ability. Smith is a steal at 97.<\/p>\n

Round 5 (Pick 161)
Hezakiah Masses (CB) | California
The Mock Drafter: Steven Hoikkala<\/p>\n

With the Vikings adding Masses, they gain a corner with decent size at 6\u20191 who ran a 4.46 40 time and has good ability to flip his hips in coverage. He gives Minnesota depth at corner<\/a>, and could turn into a starter with his ability to also take the ball away after showing off his hands with 5 INT\u2019s in 2025 for California.<\/p>\n

Round 6 (Pick 196)
Pat Coogan (CB) | Indiana
The Mock Drafter: Dustin Baker<\/p>\n

\"IndianaIndiana players Pat Coogan (78), Riley Nowakowski (37), Charlie Becker (80), and Aiden Fisher (4) celebrate together on the podium after winning the College Football Playoff National Championship, Jan. 19, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens as confetti falls and teammates gather following the title-clinching performance. Mandatory Credit: Rich Janzaruk-Imagn Images.<\/p>\n

In this scenario, the Vikings will roll into 2026 with Blake Brandel<\/a> or Michael Jurgens as the starting center after Ryan Kelly\u2019s retirement \u2014 probably Brandel \u2014 and add Coogan as a mid-to-late-round hopeful.<\/p>\n

NFL Draft Buzz on Coogan<\/a>: \u201cCoogan has started 41 games across two Power 4 programs, called protections in a national championship game, and improved his grades every single season. He will earn trust quickly in a meeting room because he knows his assignments, communicates clearly, and plays with discipline.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the right gap or power-heavy scheme, there is genuine starting potential here. He is the kind of interior lineman who may not test his way into a roster spot but will absolutely play his way into one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Round 7 (Pick 234)
Eli Heidenreich (WR\/RB) | Navy
The Mock Drafter: Dustin Baker<\/p>\n

Heidenreich offers the versatility, special-teams value, and roster flexibility that Minnesota can\u2019t ignore in Round 7. <\/p>\n

His role at Navy transcended that of a traditional fullback. He lined up in multiple positions, including the backfield and slot, and frequently motioned to create mismatches against linebackers. The adaptability would translate well to a modern NFL offense that values unpredictability. For Minnesota, Heidenreich could be an affordable asset, adding offensive variability in short-yardage or play-action situations.<\/p>\n

His primary appeal, however, lies on special teams. Players drafted in the later rounds often secure roster spots through special teams contributions, and Heidenreich possesses the requisite size, toughness, and discipline for coverage units. <\/p>\n

Heidenreich also provides depth. Considering the Vikings\u2019 offensive injuries in 2025, a player capable of filling multiple roles \u2014 H-back, emergency tight end, or situational runner \u2014 would offer the coaching staff greater flexibility without requiring additional roster spots.<\/p>\n

With C.J. Ham freshly retired<\/a>, Heidenreich makes sense. <\/p>\n

Round 7 (Pick 240)
Mikail Kamara (OLB) | Indiana
The Mock Drafter: Dustin Baker<\/p>\n

\"MikailIndiana defender Mikail Kamara (6) celebrates on the field following the College Football Playoff National Championship victory, Jan. 19, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens as emotions spill over and teammates surround him after securing the program\u2019s biggest win on the national stage. Mandatory Credit: Rich Janzaruk-Imagn Images.<\/p>\n

We were surprised to see the board allow this, Kamara falling to Round 7. Most mock drafts perceive him as a 5th-Rounder. It was a no-brainer to pounce in Round 7, adding the National Champion EDGE to the roster as an OLB4 or OLB5 contender as early as this fall.<\/p>\n

Round 7 (Pick 244)
Brett Thorson (P) | Georgia
The Mock Drafter: Dustin Baker<\/p>\n

Thorson is considered the top punting prospect among 2026 rookies. Given the recent signing of Johnny Hekker<\/a>, why not invite Thorson to Eagan this summer to compete for the team\u2019s punter position? After all, Hekker was a middle-of-the-road punter in 2025. <\/p>\n

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