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8 Early Draft Crushes for the Vikings

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Florida defesive tackle Caleb Banks in 2023
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 2026 NFL Draft Combine is about one week away, but we asked VikingsTerritory writers to identify one “draft crush” apiece before the party gets started. Our contributors could pick any player from any round — here’s what they came up with.

Vikings draft season is already warming up, and a few early names feel like clean fits based on talent and long-term trajectory.

The Vikings will have at least nine draft picks in 2026, much more than last year when the cupboard was barren.

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Eight Names We Want for Minnesota’s 2026 Draft Board

Our dream fits for the purple team.

Indiana players celebrate on the podium after winning the national championship at Hard Rock Stadium. Vikings early draft crushes.
Indiana players Pat Coogan (78), Riley Nowakowski (37), Charlie Becker (80) and Aiden Fisher (4) gather on the podium on Jan. 19, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens after securing the College Football Playoff National Championship. The Hoosiers celebrate together beneath the confetti following the title game. © Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.

1. Pat Coogan | Center, Indiana
Crush Holer: Sean Borman

Watch this guy’s playoff tape, then tell me you don’t like watching offensive linemen play football.

2. Malachi Fields | WR, Notre Dame
Crush Holder: Brevan Bane

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A mountain of a man at 6’4, Fields could fill a need if the Vikings let Jalen Nailor walk. In a hopeful scenario, Jefferson and Fields could be the boundary receivers with Addison (status on the team TBD) working primarily out of the slot. Fields is a “go up and get it” type of receiver, something the Vikings have been lacking for a while.

3. Dillon Thieneman | S, Oregon
Crush Holder: Tony Schultz

Everyone will be staring down that 1st-Round pick at 18. Will the Vikings stay put? Move up? Move down? There are so many directions the team could go player-wise alone, and then add in being saddled with a new decision-maker (makers?) with the recent firing of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.

Rob Brzezinski is a “money” guy and may try to find a young replacement for an aging position at that point. I’m looking at Day 2 at the earliest for a guy I don’t want the team to miss out on. Dillon Thieneman is a guy I hope they have in their sights as a replacement for Harrison Smith.

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He comes from a strong program and has decent size for a safety. More importantly, he is smart. Some have described him as an extension of the defensive coordinator on the field, and that’s a guy Brian Flores will covet. If he’s there in the 2nd Round, I hope the Vikings grab him.

If he lasts until their 3rd-Round pick, they should sprint to the podium. Reading the experts’ opinions, he matches Smith in their draft breakdowns in almost every way.

4. Akheem Mesidor | EDGE, Miami
Crush Holder: Kyle Joudry

Once upon a time, I played defensive line myself. I therefore enjoy watching great defensive linemen. Seeing Canadian edge rusher Akheem Mesidor get drafted would be fine by me.

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5. Mansoor Delane | CB, LSU
Crush Holder: Ali Siddiqui

The Vikings have multiple needs, and CB is definitely one of them. Delane could be gone by no. 18, but if available, they should definitely take him. Isaiah Rodgers is in the final year of his deal.

6. Jermod McCoy | CB, Tennessee
Crush Holder: Steven Hoikkala

The Vikings need to upgrade their secondary, and McCoy would help solidify the backfield going forward. With Mansoor Delane likely off the board when Minnesota picks, McCoy will be a top CB target in this draft if Minnesota decides to upgrade the defense at No. 18.

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7. Nick Singleton | RB, Penn State

Nick Singleton celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Indiana.
Penn State running back Nick Singleton reacts after a 2-yard touchdown run on Oct. 28, 2023, at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania, during a matchup with Indiana. Singleton’s first-half score helped power the Nittany Lions to a 33-24 victory. © Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK.

How would you feel about a running back who just turned 22, is 6’0″ tall, weighs 220 pounds, has 4.39 speed, marked 23.6 mph in game speed at one point on the field last season, and catches the ball out of the backfield? That’s Singleton. He can also get-got in Round 3 or 4. Sign me the hell up.

t8. Caleb Banks | DT, Florida
Crush Holder: Adam New

The Vikings need help in the secondary, but adding Caleb Banks, an interior defender with the skillset to thrive in both run defense and pass rush, would give them a great young duo in the middle of the DL, along with Jalen Redmond. Already strong on the edge, this formidable defensive front is the stuff of my dreams.

t8. Caleb Banks | DT, Florida
Crush Holder: Janik Eckardt

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Carson Beck throws under pressure from Caleb Banks during a Georgia-Florida game.
Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (15) looks to throw as Florida defensive lineman Caleb Banks (88) applies pressure on Oct. 28, 2023, at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, during the annual rivalry clash. Beck navigates the pocket while Georgia pulls away for a 43-20 win. © Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.

The Vikings lack a massive human being in the running game. Banks brings that to the table and can be a real difference-maker in the ground game. He pairs that frame with nice short-area quickness, giving him an intriguing ceiling. With Jalen Redmond already in the building, the Vikings could form the interior duo for years to come by picking up the projected 1st-Round talent.

t8. Caleb Banks | DT, Florida
Crush Holder: Wes Johnson

Vikings addressed the trenches last offseason and injected youth into the offensive line via the draft. This year, they focus on youth on the defensive side and double down on the trenches. Banks had a phenomenal Senior Bowl and will be a projected riser come the draft. Pegged as an early 2nd Round pick before the Senior Bowl, he’s now cracked the back end of the 1st round.

t8. Caleb Banks | DT, Florida
Crush Holder: Josh Frey

I want to say Mansoor Delane, but I think he will go sooner. The big spending on DT in free agency last offseason didn’t exactly pan out for the Vikings, so it’s time to get a really disruptive presence on a rookie contract. Banks can be exactly that as a massive player at 6’6″ and 330 pounds. Injury cut his 2025 season short, but when healthy, he’s proven he can impact a defense both as a run stopper and a pass rusher.

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Australian Open 2026 prize money: What men’s singles finalists earn | Other Sports News

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The Australian Open 2026 reached its conclusion today with in the marquee men’s singles final at the iconic Rod Laver Arena on Saturday Carlos Alcaraz beat Novak Djokovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 and 7-5 to win his maiden Australian open title. The season-opening Grand Slam has delivered high-quality tennis over the past fortnight, and the final promises a fitting finale between two of the sport’s biggest stars.

 

Before the tournament began, Tennis Australia announced a record USD 75 million prize pool for Australian Open 2026 — a 16 per cent increase from last year’s USD 63 million. Singles players are among the biggest beneficiaries of the hike, with champions set to earn 18.57 per cent more than in 2025, while doubles champions receive an 11.11 per cent increase compared to last season. 

 

 

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Here is a detailed look at the men’s singles prize money distribution for Australian Open 2026.


Australian Open 2026: Prize money for men’s singles winners


The winner of the men’s singles final Carlos Alcaraz will take home USD 2.79 million, reflecting the increased prize pool this year. The runner-up Novaj Djokovic will not leave empty-handed either, earning USD 1.45 million for finishing second after an impressive campaign at Melbourne Park.


Australian Open 2026: Prize money for men’s singles semi-finalists


The two players who bowed out at the semi-final stage — Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev — will each receive USD 840,000. Sinner pushed Djokovic in a five-set battle before losing, while Zverev fell short against Alcaraz in another hard-fought encounter.


Australian Open 2026: Prize money for men’s singles quarter-finalists


Reaching the last eight also comes with a substantial reward. Quarter-finalists Alex de Minaur, Learner Tien, Lorenzo Musetti, and Ben Shelton will each earn USD 500,000 for their efforts at the tournament.

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Australian Open 2026: Prize money for men’s singles round 1 to round 4


Players eliminated in the fourth round will receive USD 322,000 for their campaigns. Those knocked out in the third round take home USD 220,000, while second-round exits earn USD 151,000. Even first-round losers are assured a healthy payout, with USD 101,000 awarded to all players who featured in the men’s singles main draw at Australian Open 2026.

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Mike Tyson says 2 men stand above the rest as the greatest heavyweights ever

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Boxing fans regularly debate who they believe to be the greatest heavyweights of all time and now boxing legend Mike Tyson has weighed in himself with his own verdict.

Tyson is often mentioned in those debates, after establishing himself as ‘The Baddest Man On The Planet’ during a ferocious run throughout the 1980s.

He became the youngest world heavyweight champion in history, and later secured undisputed status, claiming knockout wins over fighters such as Larry Holmes and Michael Spinks along the way.

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A shock defeat to Buster Douglas ended his title reign, and while he would become champion again, further losses to the likes of Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis somewhat diminish Tyson’s claim to be one of the best ever.

It would appear that ‘Iron Mike’ disagrees though, as when asked on The Big Podcast With Shaq who he thinks are the two best ever, Tyson placed just one name above his own.

“Muhammad Ali then me.”

Tyson then insisted that the majority of the general public would agree with his placement.

“If you put up some stats or something, ask the world. Not one guy — 10 guys. Ask the world.”

It comes as no surprise to see Tyson rank Ali above himself as the number one heavyweight ever, with the Louisville-native living up to his iconic nickname of ‘The Greatest.’

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He has a record which stacks up against any other heavyweight throughout history, earning wins over fellow greats such as George Foreman and Joe Frazier, and there would be very few boxing fans that would argue about Ali being viewed as the best of all time.

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NFL Players from Valor Christian H.S. (Highlands Ranch, CO)

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NFL Players from Valor Christian H.S. (Highlands Ranch, CO) | SuperWest Sports





















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Here’s an up-to-date list of all NFL Players from Valor Christian High School in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.

The list includes only those players who have played in an NFL game.

See where it ranks among other schools in the state here.

NFL Players from Valor Christian HS
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I think he often goes under the radar

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Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has lauded Shivam Dube for his fine cameo in the T20 World Cup 2026 match against Pakistan. The contest was played on Sunday, February 15, at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Asked to bat first, India posted 175/7, with Ishan Kishan top-scoring with a brilliant 77 off 40 balls, while Shivam Dube contributed a valuable 27 off 17, including three fours and a six. In response, the Men in Green were bowled out for 114 in 18 overs, falling short by 61 runs.

Speaking in a video on his YouTube channel after the game, Pathan said that Dube often goes under the radar, having delivered under pressure in the past, including the T20 World Cup 2024 and the Asia Cup 2025 final. The 41-year-old also highlighted the southpaw’s exceptional hitting ability, saying:

“There is another batsman who played really well, someone who often goes under the radar and doesn’t get much attention. In the Asia Cup final, it was Shivam Dube; in the World Cup final, Shivam Dube; and here as well, against Pakistan, he came in towards the end and played a quick cameo.”

“It took him a little time, about 9-10 balls, to get set for the big shots, but after that, he played a quick, effective innings before getting run out. I think he often goes under the radar, but his hitting ability is absolutely tremendous. Overall, by the time the team reached 175, the match was essentially over because the Pakistani batting lineup didn’t have enough firepower,” he added.

Pathan also praised skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who scored 32 off 29 balls, noting that he came in with a proper game plan against Usman Tariq and played a solid innings. Pathan said:

“Suryakumar Yadav’s batting also stood out because it seemed like he was taking a long pause against Tariq. Generally, he tends to show a bit of initial movement, like stepping forward slightly at the time of release, and then adjusting his front or back foot later to play the shot. But if you watch the highlights of Usman Tariq’s bowling, it was very clear.”

“While Suryakumar was batting, his feet hardly moved. Even after the pause, he was waiting patiently, and at the time of release, both his feet remained still. It was very clear that his planning worked perfectly. Suryakumar played a really good innings, especially the shots he played between long-on and mid-wicket. Top-quality batting. That kind of batting was exactly what was needed,” he added.

Meanwhile, the emphatic win ensured that India secured their place in the Super 8s.


“Our Indian team’s bowling is really strong” – Irfan Pathan heaps praise on the Men in Blue attack

In the same video, Irfan Pathan also asserted that India has a strong bowling attack, which was on full display against Pakistan. He highlighted Hardik Pandya dismissing Sahibzada Farhan in the first over, followed by Jasprit Bumrah removing Saim Ayub and Salman Agha in the next. While praising the Indian bowlers, Pathan also expressed puzzlement over Pakistan captain’s approach, saying:

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“Our Indian team’s bowling is really strong, very sharp, and it was clearly visible when they came on to bowl. In the first over Hardik dismissed Sahibzada Farhan. He tried to play a cross-batted shot on a length ball, but the ball hung in the air. Then Jasprit Bumrah straight away, goes for the yorker, delivers a sharp in-swinging yorker, gets the LBW, and then comes Salman Ali Agha.”

“As a captain, I didn’t understand his approach. When two wickets have fallen, you need to consolidate a bit, but he went after Bumrah with big shots. And what happened? Within two overs, three wickets went down, including the captain, playing poor shots. This approach didn’t make sense. The score wasn’t even over 200,” he added.

India will now return to action on Wednesday, February 18, when they take on the Netherlands in their final Group A game in Ahmedabad.