{"id":869967,"date":"2026-04-19T14:27:37","date_gmt":"2026-04-19T14:27:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/869967\/"},"modified":"2026-04-19T14:27:37","modified_gmt":"2026-04-19T14:27:37","slug":"if-we-were-the-vikings-this-would-be-the-pick-at-no-18","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/869967\/","title":{"rendered":"If We Were the Vikings, This Would Be the Pick at No. 18"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"JordanUSC wide receiver Jordan Addison poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the Minnesota Vikings, with Apr 27, 2023 marking the first round of the NFL Draft at Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri. Addison celebrated the moment as Minnesota made him the 23rd overall pick. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Before every draft, VikingsTerritory slings its official endorsement, a tradition running for years. Recently, we endorsed the Vikings\u2019 2022 draft pick of Kyle Hamilton, a trade-up for C.J. Stroud in 2023, a trade-up for Drake Maye in 2024, and Omarion Hampton<\/a> in 2025. Now, it\u2019s time for the 2026 edition.<\/p>\n

One slot. One call. Here\u2019s our pick.<\/p>\n

Folks will learn the pick\u2019s identity in four days; here\u2019s what we would do if one assumes that players like Jeremiyah Love (RB, Notre Dame), Sonny Styles (LB, Ohio State), and Caleb Downs<\/a> (S, Ohio State) don\u2019t tumble down the board. If one of those men fell all the way to No. 18, it would be an obvious no-brainer to select either man.<\/p>\n

The Strongest Paths Minnesota Could Take at No. 18<\/p>\n

It\u2019s time \u2014 way overdue \u2014 for Minnesota to nail a draft.<\/p>\n

\"OregonOregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq (18) looks on before the game against the James Madison Dukes, Dec 20, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon, standing on the sideline during pregame warmups as he surveys the field ahead of a postseason matchup with heightened attention surrounding his role in the Ducks\u2019 offensive plans. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The VT Endorsement: Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq at No. 18<\/p>\n

The Vikings\u2019 current leadership says it believes in the \u201cbest player available\u201d strategy. If so, they should prove it and draft Sadiq, assuming he\u2019s on the board at No. 18.<\/p>\n

Sadiq is a freakish athlete, a willing blocker, and can truly take the top of the Vikings\u2019 offense, which is especially important for a team that doesn\u2019t habitually prioritize WR3 targets. Think of it this way: for the next five years, Sadiq can own the WR3 target load, hopefully with Kyler Murray<\/a> at quarterback.<\/p>\n

Minnesota has never used Round 1 draft capital on a tight end. The upside usually taps out on good tight ends like Kyle Rudolph, T.J. Hockenson, and Steve Jordan. The Vikings should draft a tight end who can be great.<\/p>\n

Always remember: the Vikings didn\u2019t have a roster need in 1998 when they drafted Randy Moss. They didn\u2019t have a roster need in 2007 when they drafted Adrian Peterson<\/a>. Get Sadiq and be filthy rich on offense, especially with Hockenson scheduled for free agency in 2027.<\/p>\n

Secondary Endorsement: Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s pretend that the Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles Rams, or Tampa Bay Buccaneers draft Sadiq, rendering the first part of this endorsement useless.<\/p>\n

The club should pick McCoy at No. 18, snapping the cornerback draft drought. Minnesota hasn\u2019t drafted a productive cornerback who lasted beyond a rookie contract since 2013: Xavier Rhodes. McCoy has the coverage skills, playmaking, and speed to succeed. The only thing to worry about is his injury history.<\/p>\n

Nobody knows how much better Brian Flores\u2019s defense could be with a fantastic cornerback. Let\u2019s find out.<\/p>\n

Just-in-Case Endorsement: Trade Down, Stack Picks, Draft CB Chris Johnson<\/p>\n

If Sadiq and McCoy are off the board, Minnesota should trade down, grab an extra mid-round pick or two, and select Chris Johnson<\/a> of San Diego State.<\/p>\n

His draft stock has climbed as of late, but he should be gettable at the end of Round 1. For example, Minnesota could trade its 18th overall pick to Miami, grab two 3rd-Rounders, and pick Johnson. The Dolphins could then, for instance, pick a wide receiver.<\/p>\n

\"SanSan Diego State defensive back Chris Johnson speaks with media members during the NFL Combine, Feb 26, 2026, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, addressing questions at the podium as scouts and reporters evaluate his background, performance, and potential fit ahead of the upcoming draft. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Johnson has the skill set to succeed in the pros. <\/p>\n

The Ringer\u2018s Todd McShay on Johnson<\/a>: \u201cHe\u2019s a fundamentally sound press corner who uses the proper hand to disrupt receivers at the line of scrimmage, stays balanced when flipping his hips, and doesn\u2019t panic with his back turned to the quarterback. Johnson reads receivers\u2019 breaks, tracks the ball well, and takes sound angles, and he doesn\u2019t get pushed around at the top of his routes in off coverage.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s quick to trigger, and he drives through the receiver when breaking on passes. He has big hands and possesses the timing and ability to stay in a receiver\u2019s back pocket. Even though his arm length is below average, he\u2019s good at breaking up passes. He had four interceptions last season and returned two of them for touchdowns.\u201d<\/p>\n

Johnson also attended Kevin O\u2019Connell\u2019s alma mater, San Diego State<\/a>.<\/p>\n

McShay added, \u201cJohnson is a top five corner, a top 50 overall prospect, and one of the best Group of 5 players in this year\u2019s draft. Johnson has the traits to develop into an effective no. 2 corner while working in sub-packages and contributing on special teams early in his career.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKansas City corner Nohl Williams is an interesting comp \u2014 he didn\u2019t get many snaps playing in a crowded secondary as a rookie last year, but he made the most of his opportunities, and he\u2019s expected to start in 2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Jeremiyah Love Caveat<\/p>\n

The dream for VikingsTerritory is for Love to end up with the Vikings. Full stop. End the discussion.<\/p>\n

\"NotreNotre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love (4) scores a touchdown during the first half against the Army Black Knights, Nov 23, 2024, at Yankee Stadium in New York City, powering through defenders near the goal line as he finishes a drive with a physical scoring run in a high-profile neutral-site matchup. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

But trading next year\u2019s 1st-Rounder \u2014 a draft that will be astoundingly deep \u2014 is just a non-starter. Still, if Love fell to pick No. 10 or so and a team was willing to do business, our endorsement would be to trade for Love.<\/p>\n

Pairing him with Kyler Murray, Justin Jefferson<\/a>, Jordan Addison, and Brian Flores\u2019s defense is the stuff of dreams.<\/p>\n

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