{"id":870193,"date":"2026-04-19T20:54:27","date_gmt":"2026-04-19T20:54:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/870193\/"},"modified":"2026-04-19T20:54:27","modified_gmt":"2026-04-19T20:54:27","slug":"dont-rule-out-these-3-vikings-draft-surprises","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/870193\/","title":{"rendered":"Don’t Rule Out These 3 Vikings Draft Surprises"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"ClemsonDec 7, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive end T.J. Parker (3) reacts after a play during the third quarter against the Southern Methodist Mustangs in the 2024 ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Minnesota Vikings fans and pundits are hyperfixated on the club drafting a safety, cornerback, or defensive tackle<\/a> on Thursday night, as the roster calls for it. But what if they don\u2019t? What if the Vikings get funky? The following is a look at the Vikings\u2019 dark horse draft outcomes, even if they\u2019re somewhat unrealistic.<\/p>\n

Three surprises. One draft. Anything can happen.<\/p>\n

Always remember: a team like the Atlanta Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr.<\/a> two years ago after handing Kirk Cousins a $180 million contract.<\/p>\n

The Unexpected Paths Minnesota Could Still Explore<\/p>\n

.. and the stuff on Thursday that would make you scratch your head.<\/p>\n

\"StaceyNFL Network reporter Stacey Dales interviews Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love during the NFL Scouting Combine, Feb 28, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, as he speaks on his college production and draft outlook while evaluators and media gather around during one of the league\u2019s key pre-draft events. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

1. A Splashy Trade Up the Draftboard for Love, Styles, or Downs<\/p>\n

The premise of this article is dark-horse draft outcomes that could unfold: strange, unprecedented, unexpected, and thrilling.<\/p>\n

Here, the Vikings would bet it all on Jeremiyah Love (RB, Notre Dame), Sonny Styles<\/a> (LB, Ohio State), or Caleb Downs (S, Ohio State). All three play non-premium positions, but Minnesota disregards \u201csmart person\u201d logic to obtain the best football player.<\/p>\n

For example, if Love is available between pick 6 and 10, the Vikings could send a basket of draft picks to a a team in Top 10 and secure the draft\u2019s top playmaker. Love would then cook in Kevin O\u2019Connell\u2019s offense, likely forcing him to run the football at a normal NFL clip.<\/p>\n

This option will be expensive and probably won\u2019t happen because Minnesota needs all of its draft picks to onboard young talent. Still, this would be the ultimate \u201call in\u201d move.<\/p>\n

SI.com\u2018s Will Ragatz wrote<\/a> about the notion of trading up this week, \u201cJeremiyah Love would be an incredibly fun addition to the Vikings\u2019 offense, but I\u2019m not sure he\u2019ll even fall far enough to be a realistic trade-up candidate for Minnesota. The one that stands out as a possibility is Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe could potentially slide a bit because of the positional value of safeties and the fact that he didn\u2019t run at the combine or OSU\u2019s pro day. It\u2019s possible Brian Flores loves Downs and thinks he has a chance to be an All-Pro in the Vikings\u2019 scheme.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s worth noting that Minnesota would likely have to donate a fortune to land Love or Downs, including next year\u2019s 1st-Rounder. <\/p>\n

Ragatz continued, \u201cWith that said, I don\u2019t think the Vikings will want to part with the draft capital required to move up from 18 to, say, the Chiefs\u2019 pick at No. 9. But if Downs falls out of the top 10, it might be worth making some calls to see about the price on moving up 5-7 spots.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUltimately, I don\u2019t think it\u2019s particularly likely they go up or land Downs.\u201d<\/p>\n

2. Picking an Offensive Lineman<\/p>\n

Christian Darrisaw\u2019s torn ACL recovery has concerned Vikings fans, Brian O\u2019Neill<\/a> is on deck for 2027 free agency, Will Fries\u2019s guaranteed money runs out after the 2026 season, and Minnesota doesn\u2019t have a starting center.<\/p>\n

Those concerns are perhaps easily fixable, but what if the Vikings\u2019 offensive line situation is causing distress behind closed doors? They could pick offensive tackle Spencer Fano<\/a> from Utah or the best interior offensive lineman in the draft, Penn State\u2019s Olaivavega Ioane.<\/p>\n

\"PennPenn State offensive lineman Olaivavega Ioane (71) lines up against Boise State during the Fiesta Bowl, Dec 31, 2024, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, battling in the trenches throughout a postseason matchup as both teams compete in one of college football\u2019s premier bowl games. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Minnesota proved in the last draft that it was serious about the trenches with Donovan Jackson. What if they make it two years in a row?<\/p>\n

Sadly, an offensive tackle selection would signal significant fears about Darrisaw\u2019s future, whether that\u2019s accurate or not.<\/p>\n

3. Drafting an EDGE with Greenard, Van Ginkel, and Turner on the Roster<\/p>\n

Do the Vikings need an EDGE rusher? They do not. Is EDGE one of the most important spots in the NFL? It is. <\/p>\n

Interim general manager Rob Brzezinski has vowed to select the best player available on Thursday night, and that might just be an outside linebacker like Keldric Faulk<\/a> (Auburn) or T.J. Parker (Clemson). Think of it this way: Jonathan Greenard has been the subject of trade rumors; he wants a new contract. The upcoming season is scheduled to be Andrew Van Ginkel\u2019s last in Minnesota.<\/p>\n

EDGE rushers break the bank in free agency; positions like safety and running back do not. EDGE is a premium position. <\/p>\n

\"AuburnAuburn defensive end Keldric Faulk (15) celebrates a defensive stop against South Alabama, Sep 13, 2025, at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama, reacting with energy as the Tigers build a lead before halftime in a home matchup during the early portion of the college football season. Mandatory Credit: Jake Crandall\/Advertiser-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a world where Brian Flores<\/a> pounds the table for another pass rusher. It really wouldn\u2019t be that weird.<\/p>\n

Of course, the need for an OLB would explode through the roof if Minnesota traded Greenard during the draft. Texans EDGE Will Anderson just secured a contract worth $50 million per season; Greenard could reasonably ask for $35 million. Would the Vikings have that in their budget?<\/p>\n

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