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Adam New’s Post Super Bowl 2026 Vikings Mock Draft

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Jul 16, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida State Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks answers questions from the media during the SEC Media Days at Omni Atlanta Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images

Nearly a month after my first Vikings mock draft of 2026, and with the curtain pulled on the 2025 season and the Seattle Seahawks reigning supreme. It’s time to look again with my 2026 Vikings mock draft 2.0.

Adam New’s Post-Super Bowl Blueprint for the Vikings’ 2026 Draft

In my first mock draft, I concentrated on the defensive side of the ball early, and that trend remains. I firmly believe that’s how the Vikings should attack this draft, while making room for an RB, TE, and C at some point, depending on how the board falls on draft day. I have gone for a different position in round one this team, looking to add beef up front first, rather than boosting the secondary — that comes on Day 2. Here is my Vikings mock draft 2.0.

Round 1: Pick 18 – Caleb Banks (DI), Florida

There are a few areas of the Vikings’ defense that need to be addressed in this draft, and I start by finding a long-term partner for Jalen Redmond in the center of the Vikings’ defensive line. At 6’6″, 325 pounds, with arms over 35″, Caleb Banks has overwhelming size, length, and forklift power, to pair with inhuman burst and quickness at that size.

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Florida defesive tackle Caleb Banks in 2023. Vikings mock draft 2026.
Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks (88) hypes the crowd during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, October 7, 2023. © Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK.

The only concern is a longer-than-ideal injury history, but the raw talent is there, and Banks can be the final piece to a completely dominant Vikings defensive line.

Round 2: Pick 49 – Keionte Scott (CB), Miami (FL)

Keionte Scott is a nickel CB who can have a big impact on a game. During Miami’s run to the national championship game in 2025, he amassed 13 tackles for loss, five sacks, and two pick-sixes. An explosive long-striding closer, with springy coverage and an elite processor with a fast-flowing style and relentless physicality, Scott should be a great fit in the Brian Flores defense.

Round 3: Pick 82 – Genesis Smith (S), Arizona

The Vikings need to replace Harrison Smith and never really replaced Camryn Bynum last season. Genesis Smith would be the Bynum replacement with rare range and long-strider speed as a center-fielder and single-high safety, and his playmaking instincts are elite. Smith is one of the best coverage safeties in this draft class, which is just what the Vikings need in their secondary.

Round 3: Pick 97 – Jadarian Price (RB), Notre Dame

Jadarian Price has been living in the shadow of Jeremiyah Love in the Notre Dame backfield. While you might need to spend a top 10 pick to acquire Love’s services, Price may be the better value pick on Day 2. An exciting draft prospect in his own right,

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Price is an explosive vertical threat with a great blend of vision, spatial instincts, and foot speed. He has a smooth running style, and he goes 0-to-100 in the blink of an eye when he sees a gap to exploit.

Round 5: Pick 156 – Jake Slaughter (C), Florida

The first player to land on the Vikings with the same pick as in my first Vikings mock draft. With the future of Ryan Kelly uncertain after a series of concussions, and in the last year of his contract. The Vikings need to think about the future at center.

Florida offensive lineman Jake Slaughter (66) gets a hug after an NCAA football game against Tennessee at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 22, 2025. Florida lost to Tennessee 31-11. © Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.

The free agency addition of Tyler Linderbaum would be the dream scenario, but Jake Slaughter would make a good plan B, especially if Kelly does try to play on. Minnesota will need some insurance at center.

Round 7: Pick 234 – Drew Allar (QB), Penn State

This isn’t the draft to try again for a top QB, but taking a punt on one in the later rounds is always worthwhile, even if it’s for a guy whose ceiling is career backup. Drew Allar has the tools to be that and more potentially.

A former five-star recruit, standing at 6’5 “, 235 pounds, he has a rocket arm, and he has the nimble mobility and arm elasticity to work off-platform — as well as goodpre-snap command and post-snap processing. So why might he be available this late? Accuracy issues and poor mechanics will need much work for Allar to have any success in the NFL. At this point in the draft, it’s worth a gamble.

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Round 7: Pick 235 – Jeff Caldwell (WR), Cincinnati

Jeff Caldwell transferred to Cincinnati for a step up in competition in the 2025 season and reeled in 32 receptions for 478 yards and six touchdowns.

Nov 29, 2025; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver Jeff Caldwell (9) comes off the field after scoring against the TCU Horned Frogs during the first half at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

I seem to suggest every off-season that the Vikings need a big physical wide receiver, and Caldwell brings this (6’4, 208 lbs) while also having the speed to be a vertical threat. An explosive talent that comes in at No. 29 on Bruce Feldman’s annual Freaks list, Caldwell would be a great get on Day 3.

Round 7: Pick 244 – Riley Mahlman (OT), Wisconsin

As the 2025 season proved, good depth on the OL is always valuable. Picking up a well-rounded if unspectacular OT prospect like Wisconsin’s Riley Mahlman, who is strongest in pass protection, would be an excellent use of a seventh-round pick — especially if the Vikings get back to the explosive passing offense that Kevin O’Connell wants.

Round 7: Pick 244- Jack Velling (TE), Michigan State

The second player to make it onto both of my Vikings mock drafts to date, though a few spots lower in the seventh round this time. The Vikings went TE-heavy towards the end of last season to help out their QB. If that trend continues, then a fresh face at the position makes sense.


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Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.

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2026 debut win for $2.7m St Gotthard, Switzerland’s little brother

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Carrying a $2.7 million label and star-quality bloodlines, St Gotthard was the focus at Warwick Farm, and the colt met the hype head-on.

The margin was only narrow, yet the brother to 2024 Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Switzerland showed resolve, responding boldly to the challenge from runner-up Peyton to secure Wednesday’s Kia Ora Bloodlines to Headlines Handicap (1200m) by a half-neck.

Jockey James McDonald praised St Gotthard as innate talent, adding that his auction price lost relevance post-sale.

“It means nothing. He’s just a beautiful horse and everything he does, he does with ease,” McDonald said.

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“He’s got a nice nature. He’s the full package.

“He was in foreign territory there being outside the leader and left in front a long way from home. He just felt like he floated a little bit, but he’s got plenty of talent and he’s a beautiful horse going forward.”

Chris Waller honed Switzerland and will advance cautiously with the youngster.

While Queensland’s winter carnival is an option, Waller’s main goal is developing St Gotthard for a prosperous three-year-old program.

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He also filled third, fourth and sixth spots with Nations League, Wonka and Lafite, considering the runs essential groundwork.

“They need to have a few runs to get ready for their three-year-old year, so that’s the first box ticked for all four of our horses here,” he said.

“It’s great to get horses up to Queensland, or if the weather holds in Sydney to keep them here too. You can win a Saturday race in Sydney for $160,000 and with BOBS bonuses, it’s almost equal to a Listed race in Queensland.

“So here is the main centre of attention. Obviously, we’ve got the Group One J J Atkins if we get up that far, but the next few weeks we’ll be letting go some good two-year-olds.”

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David Payne fielded thrilling filly Bangkok Hottie, who went from fifth in the Kindergarten Stakes (1100m) to victory in the Hyland Race Colours Handicap (1200m).

Bred by champion Too Darn Hot, she caught Payne’s eye immediately, prompting a break for spring targets like the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m).

“We’ve always had an opinion of her. Her first run, we were going to run her at Gosford, and she drew badly, so I said to the owner, ‘let’s give her a run on a big track and teach her to settle, she won’t disgrace herself ‘and if she’d drawn a gate, I think she would have been right there,” Payne said.

“She will go for a spell now, and I’ll bring her back for the Princess Series.”

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Bangkok Hottie, a Thompson family homebred, joins their history that includes 2000 Caulfield Cup hero Diatribe.

Discover betting sites offering racing odds for handicaps like the Kia Ora Bloodlines to Headlines.

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NBA Play-In Highlights (home)

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NBA Play-In Highlights (home)

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Oleksandr Usyk sums up Tyson Fury’s performance against Makhmudov

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Oleksandr Usyk has shared his thoughts on Tyson Fury‘s display against Arslanbek Makhmudov.

This past weekend saw Fury make his return to the ring after not competing since his two defeats to Usyk in 2024, taking on imposing Russian Makhmudov at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

Fury was comfortable throughout the contest as he claimed a one-sided unanimous decision win, but certain onlookers believe ‘The Gypsy King’ showed signs of rustiness as he took part in his first fight in 16 months.

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Usyk himself has now weighed in on his former rival’s performance, telling The Ring that he thought it was a good victory for Fury.

“Tyson’s win is good. I watched the first six rounds. I remember maybe fourth/fifthround, Makhmudov punched Tyson and I say ‘be careful, woah woah Tyson hands up please.’ Congrats. Great. Good [come]back.”

Some fans have criticised Fury for being unable to stop Makhmudov inside the distance, and in a separate interview with The Stomping Ground, Usyk also admitted that he wanted to see that happen.

Tyson’s win is good. It’s a win. It’s not loss. Maybe a lot of people want Tyson to knock him out. Me too. 12 rounds. Tyson win. Congrats.”

Fury is now hoping to finally secure a showdown with long-term rival and countryman Anthony Joshua, with ‘AJ’ also having suffered two losses to Usyk earlier in his career.

Having taken on both men, the Ukrainian has made his prediction for how a potential bout between ‘The Gypsy King’ and Joshua would go.

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RBC Heritage 2026 parlay, props, predictions: PGA longshot picks from proven model

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Two-time green jacket winner, Rory McIlroy, is taking a well-deserved break after the Masters, so you won’t be able to target him when constructing a 2026 RBC Heritage parlay. However, any PGA picks or golf props can utilize several others who competed at Augusta, such as Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas or Shane Lowry. After his runner-up last week, Scheffler is the +390 favorite in the RBC Heritage 2026 odds, followed by Schauffele (+1500), Matt Fitzpatrick (+1600), Cameron Young (+1800) and Russell Henley (+1800). Four of the top five favorites this week finished in the top 10 at the Masters, with Fitzpatrick being the exception.

Meanwhile, Lowry recorded an ace at Augusta, and predicting a hole-in-one is an RBC Heritage pick that could go into your golf longshot parlay. Every player in the field has +10000 golf odds to notch an ace at Harbour Town Golf Links, and the four par-3s on the course give several chances to do so. Play begins at 7:05 a.m. ET on Thursday. Before making any 2026 RBC Heritage picks or golf parlays, you need to see this PGA Tour parlay from the proven computer model at SportsLine.

Visit our DraftKings promo code review to see their latest offers and get started.

SportsLine’s proprietary model, built by DFS pro Mike McClure, has been red-hot since the PGA Tour resumed in June 2020. 

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This same model has also nailed a whopping 17 majors entering the weekend, including the 2026 Masters — its fifth Masters in a row — as well as last year’s PGA Championship and Open Championship. Anyone who has followed its golf betting picks could have seen massive returns on betting sites

Now that the 2026 RBC Heritage field is locked in, SportsLine simulated the tournament 10,000 times. It has locked in betting picks to form a golf parlay that pays out almost $90,000 for a $10 bettor. See the picks and full parlay by heading to SportsLine.

Top 2026 RBC Heritage parlay, PGA Tour picks

For the RBC Heritage 2026, one of the picks featured in the model’s PGA Tour parlay is Chris Gotterup Top 10 finish at +310. Gotterup has three top 10s this season, incudling a pair of victories, and he held his own in his first Masters appearance, notching a top 25 finish. He’ll compete at the RBC Heritage for the first time, but his strengths as a ball-striker should play well at this course.

Gotterup bombs off the tee, ranking fourth in driving distance, as his driver should eat up a course which is among the shortest on the PGA Tour at just over 7,200 yards. Overall, Gotterup ranks in the top 16 in strokes gained: total, SG: tee-to-green and SG: off-the-tee. With a sixth place finish in his last non-major, and with Gotterup ranking sixth in FedEx Cup standings, betting him to record a top 10 this week is a golf prediction worth making. See the rest of the PGA Tour parlay legs here.

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How to make PGA Tour parlay picks 

The model has also picked an outright winner, plus a prop that returns well over +500 among its six PGA picks for the 2026 RBC Heritage parlay that pays almost $90,000 on just a $10 bet. You can only see the picks and the full parlay at SportsLine.

So, who will win the RBC Heritage 2026, and what combination of PGA Tour props could unlock a payday of almost $90,000 on just a $10 bet? Visit SportsLine now to get the PGA Tour parlay and picks for the RBC Heritage, all from the golf model that’s nailed a whopping 17 majors entering the weekend, and find out.

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Hugo Ekitike ruled out for season and World Cup with serious Achilles injury

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Liverpool have confirmed Hugo Ekitike has sustained a serious Achilles injury and will miss this summer’s World Cup with France.

The 23-year-old was injured during the first half of Tuesday night’s 2-0 Champions League quarter-final second-leg defeat by Paris St Germain at Anfield and the full extent of the injury became clear on Wednesday.

France boss Didier Deschamps revealed Ekitike would have to sit out the World Cup and Liverpool have now revealed scans confirm a rupture of the Achilles tendon.

“Liverpool FC can confirm Hugo Ekitike has sustained a serious Achilles injury,” the Premier League club said in a statement on Thursday.

“The forward had to be substituted during the first half of Tuesday’s Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield after a slip on the turf.

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“Scans on the issue have subsequently confirmed a rupture of the Achilles tendon.

“Ekitike will therefore be sidelined for the remaining weeks of the club season and unable to participate at this summer’s World Cup with France.

“Further updates will be provided at the appropriate time, with Hugo receiving the full support of everyone at LFC.”

Ekitike, a £69million summer signing from Eintracht Frankfurt, was carried from the field on a stretcher, 31 minutes into Tuesday’s game.

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He has scored 17 goals in all competitions for Liverpool this season and become a firm favourite with Reds’ fans.

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Ohtani strikes out 10 as Dodgers send Mets to 7th straight loss

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LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani pitched one-run ball over six innings and struck out 10, which he had not done since 2021, and the Los Angeles Dodgers routed the Mets 8-2 Wednesday night, sending New York to its seventh straight defeat.

Dalton Rushing, who replaced Ohtani as designated hitter, hit his first career grand slam off Mets closer Devin Williams in the eighth. Kyle Tucker added a two-out solo shot — his first at home as a Dodger — off Austin Warren, making it 8-1.

Ohtani (2-0) had tossed 33 consecutive innings without an earned run before MJ Melendez’s RBI double in the fifth trimmed New York’s deficit to 2-1. It was his first earned run allowed since Aug. 27 against Cincinnati.

Ohtani wasn’t in the batting lineup during a mound start for the first time since May 28, 2021, with the Los Angeles Angels. Manager Dave Roberts said it was because Ohtani was still sore after getting hit in the back of his right shoulder by Mets pitcher David Peterson on Monday.

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Ohtani’s strikeouts were a season high by a Dodgers pitcher. He twice fanned Francisco Lindor in a battle of All-Stars. The second time, Lindor laughed as Ohtani blew a 99 mph fastball past him on his 11th and last pitch to end the third. Ohtani smiled wryly.

Ohtani walked two on 95 pitches, 63 for strikes. He struck out the side in the sixth to end his outing. Ohtani had 22 swing and misses, his most with the Dodgers.

The Dodgers (14-4) swept the Mets at home for the first time since June 19-22, 2017. Along with sweeps of Arizona and Washington, the Dodgers are 9-0 against National League opponents this season.

The Dodgers led 2-0 on Hyeseong Kim’s two-run homer off Mets starter Clay Holmes (2-2) in the second. Teoscar Hernández added an opposite-field solo shot leading off the sixth against reliever Tobias Myers.

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The Mets managed five hits playing their 11th game without injured slugger Juan Soto (calf). They were outscored 14-4 in the series.

Melendez was the only Met with any success against Ohtani, going 2-for-2 with a pair of doubles after being called up from triple-A Wednesday.

The Dodgers improved to 18-4 on Jackie Robinson Day — best mark in the majors — since MLB first declared a special day in 2004 for the player who broke baseball’s colour barrier in 1947 with Brooklyn.

Mets RHP Kodai Senga (0-2, 7.07 ERA) starts Friday against Chicago Cubs RHP Edward Cabrera (1-0, 1.62). Also Friday, Dodgers RHP Tyler Glasnow (1-0, 4.00) starts at Colorado against Rockies RHP Tomoyuki Sugano (1-0, 2.16).

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World Snooker Championship 2026: Match schedule, seeds, BBC TV times and prize money

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The 2026 World Snooker Championship takes place at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield from 18 April to 4 May – and you can watch every shot of the tournament live on the BBC.

Zhao Xintong, who became the first champion from China by beating Mark Williams in last year’s final, will get the 17-day tournament under way against qualifier Liam Highfield at 10:00 BST on Saturday.

Zhao is one of a record 11 players from China in the field of 32, beating the previous high of 10 from last year.

Ronnie O’Sullivan hopes to win a record eighth world title at the age of 50 – 25 years after claiming his first – to finally move clear of Stephen Hendry as the championship’s most successful player.

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World number one Judd Trump will aim to lift the trophy for the second time, while other contenders include four-time champions Mark Selby and John Higgins, three-time winner Mark Williams and 2024 champion Kyren Wilson.

There are four debutants including England’s Stan Moody, 19, and Liam Pullen, 20.

This year is the 50th championship to be held at the Crucible since the tournament moved to Sheffield in 1977.

The two-day final starts on 3 May, with the winner taking home £500,000.

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He will need to win 71 frames over four matches to lift the trophy.

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Thunder secure two first-round picks after play-in results

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Sam Presti and the Oklahoma City Thunder have just secured themselves two more first-round picks in this year’s NBA Draft, including one that is in the lottery.

After Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors eliminated the Los Angeles Clippers from the Play-In Tournament on Wednesday night, OKC now has the right to a 2026 pick swap with the Clippers. They also acquired the 76ers’ first-round pick after Philadelphia beat the Orlando Magic to secure the No. 7 seed in the East.

The Clippers’ pick was acquired in 2019 as part of the blockbuster trade that sent Paul George to Los Angeles in exchange for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, and numerous picks.

Depending on the play-in results, the pick could be No. 11 in the lottery if Golden State beats the Phoenix Suns to secure the No. 8 seed, or No. 12 if the Warriors fall short.

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The 76ers’ pick had been top-four protected, but now goes to the Thunder as part of a 2020 trade that saw Philadelphia offload Al Horford’s contract to the Thunder in exchange for Danny Green.

The Thunder, who finished the regular season with an NBA-best 64-18 record and are the defending NBA champions, will open its playoff run on Sunday against the winner of the Suns-Warriors matchup.

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Todd McShay’s Mock Draft Throws a Grenade at Vikings

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Washington WR Denzel Boston at the NFL Combine in 2026
Feb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Washington wideout Denzel Boston (WO08) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images.

For the last five weeks, nine out of ten NFL mock drafts have featured Oregon Safety Dillon Thieneman to the Minnesota Vikings. Only very recently has the mock-draft community begun to diversify. Among those examples is The Ringer‘s Todd McShay, formerly of ESPN. connecting Minnesota to Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston in Round 1.

McShay may have reopened Minnesota’s WR debate at No. 18.

Fans shouldn’t rule out a WR pick, and one week before the draft, McShay is all over it.

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Why a Receiver at No. 18 Has Real Traction

The idea sounds jarring, though the logic is easy to find.

Denzel Boston reacts after catching a touchdown pass against Iowa at Kinnick Stadium. Denzel Boston Vikings
Washington Huskies wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) reacts after hauling in a touchdown reception during second-quarter action, Oct. 12, 2024, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, celebrating the scoring play as Washington builds momentum against Iowa in a cross-conference matchup. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.

McShay: Boston to MIN at No. 18

Passing on Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq and Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy, McShay rolled with Boston to Kevin O’Connell’s team.

He defended the selection, “The Vikings had real issues catching the football last season, and the situation hasn’t exactly improved. With Jalen Nailor now in Las Vegas, they’re currently planning to give Tai Felton and his three rookie receptions a starting role. That’s a problem.”

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“This pick might feel a bit rich for Boston, but based on conversations I had with a couple of teams over the weekend, the gap between him, KC Concepcion, and Omar Cooper Jr. isn’t nearly as wide for some teams as the draft community may think. It really comes down to stylistic preference, and for Minnesota, the need is clear: a big, physical outside receiver to complement Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Boston fits that mold perfectly.”

It’s the first prominent mock draft to link Boston to the Vikings.

Boston’s Rookie Profile

Boston is 6’4″ and 210 pounds. He’s 22 and ran a 4.6 forty at the NFL Combine. The Washington alumnus is a deep-ball killer, touchdown scorer, and yards-after-catch guy on top of it all. On the downside, he might struggle to beat man coverage early in the pros, and the 4.6 speed obviously isn’t dazzling.

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At Washington in the last two seasons, Boston tabulated 125 receptions, 1,715 yards, and 20 touchdowns.

NFL Draft Buzz on Boston: “Boston isn’t going to run past NFL corners with pure speed, and his decision to skip the 40-yard dash at Washington’s pro day only adds to the questions about his long speed. When a receiver with his profile chooses not to run, evaluators notice.”

“The vertical jump improvement to 37.5 inches at the pro day was a nice touch, reinforcing the short-area explosiveness, but it doesn’t answer the straight-line concerns. Still, he plays the position with intelligence and physicality that should translate.”

The Vikings don’t have many tall receivers, and Boston would instantly fix that.

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Denzel Boston celebrates a touchdown during the Apple Cup against Washington State. Denzel Boston Vikings
Washington Huskies wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) celebrates after reaching the end zone during first-half action, Sep. 20, 2025, at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium in Pullman, marking a touchdown in the Apple Cup rivalry matchup against Washington State. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images.

NDB added, “The adjustment period at the next level will center on his release package and ability to defeat press coverage consistently. Physical NFL corners will test him early, and he’ll need more variety and craftiness off the line to avoid getting rerouted.”

“The speed questions won’t go away until he proves it on Sundays, and that’s a fair concern for a receiver being discussed in the first-round conversation. That said, his ball skills are dependable, his competitive makeup suggests he’ll put in the work, and he has the tools and mentality to develop into a productive starter who wins his share of one-on-one opportunities.”

Yes, a WR Could Be the Pick

Some fans will see wide receiver for the Vikings in mock drafts and think, “What are we even doing?” On the surface, that’s a fair assessment.

However, Justin Jefferson’s guaranteed money runs out after 2026, Jalen Nailor no longer works for the Vikings, Jordan Addison’s off-the-field patterns are sketchy, and no one knows if last year’s rookie, Tai Felton, is any good. Then, that’s it for Vikings wide receivers.

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Denzel Boston catches a touchdown pass against Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium. Denzel Boston Vikings
Washington Huskies wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) secures a touchdown catch during second-quarter play, Nov. 8, 2025, at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, completing the scoring play against Wisconsin as Washington’s offense capitalizes on a key drive in conference action. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images.

The position is not an urgent need, but the case for a Round 1 wideout in Minnesota is not silly. Also remember that Minnesota has a rich, rich history of drafting wide receivers. It’s the Vikings’ thing.

Other Frontrunners

If you want the Vikings to pick a wide receiver next week, with the plan for that man to contribute sooner rather than later, but Boston isn’t quite the guy, then the draft list looks like this with one week to go:

  • Makai Lemon (USC | R1)
  • Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State | R1)
  • Omar Cooper Jr. (Indiana | R1)
  • Kevin Concepcion (Texas A&M | R1)
  • Chris Bell (Louisville | R2)
  • Chris Brazzell (Tennessee | R2)
  • Germie Bernard (Alabama | R2)
  • Zachariah Branch (Georgia | R2)
  • Antonio Williams (Clemson | R3)
  • Malachi Fields (Notre Dame | R3)
  • Elijah Sarratt (Indiana | R3)
  • Ted Hurst (Georgia State | R3)
  • Skyler Bell (UConn | R3)
  • Bryce Lance (North Dakota State | R3)
  • Deion Burks (Oklahoma | R3)
  • Ja’Kobi Lane (USC | R4)
  • Brenen Thompson (Mississippi State | R4)
  • De’Zhaun Stribling (Mississippi | R4)

The Vikings have reportedly met with Williams, Hurst, and Stribling.

Boston will turn 23 in December.


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Mike Trout achieves a Yankee Stadium first since 2013

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Angels center fielder Mike Trout is enjoying his time in the Bronx. He homered against the Yankees, again, Wednesday night. Here’s the video proof: 

Trout homered twice on Monday and then hit another on Tuesday, so this gives him four homers in the series and at least one in each of the three games so far. If that seems rare to you, you’re correct. 

This is the first time an opposing player has homered in three consecutive games in Yankee Stadium since Miguel Cabrera did it for the 2013 Tigers (via MLB Stats). Of course it was Miggy and then Trout, right? Those two are destined to be tied together forever in baseball lore. 

Remember, in 2012, there was a massive debate between old- and new-school baseball people regarding whether Trout or Cabrera should win the MVP. Cabrera won the Triple Crown in the AL, but Trout had 10.5 WAR to Cabrera’s 7.1. Cabrera prevailed. The next season, we were treated to a similar argument and Cabrera again won the MVP after slashing .348/.442/.636 (all three marks led the majors) while Trout led in WAR over Cabrera, 8.9 to 7.5. Trout had two full seasons and two MVP runner-up finishes behind Cabrera. In 2013, Trout was his first of three MVPs. 

Trout now has 410 home runs in his career. This means he’s passed Mark Teixeira on the all-time list and sits 57th all-time, two shy of Alfonso Soriano. He’s signed through 2030, so the hallowed mark of 500 is on the table, health permitting. 

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Trout is likely done winning MVPs. He’s 34 and has had trouble staying on the field the last several years. He last won MVP in 2019 and last finished in the top 10 in 2022, when he finished eighth despite appearing in only 119 games. 

We still see plenty of flickers of his all-time great prowess, though. Through the first 17 games this season, Trout had already racked up 1.1 WAR and led the AL with 17 runs scored. He’s now up to six homers and 15 RBI in 18 games — and he can still do things that very few other players can. 

This series in Yankee Stadium has been a nice reminder of that.

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