5 Draft Curveballs the Vikings Could Throw

The 2026 NFL Draft will arrive in about 2.5 weeks, and the Minnesota Vikings are anxious to know the outcome of the team’s first few picks, as interim general manager Rob Brzezinski has four selections in the Top 10. But what if he swerves? Always remember — the Atlanta Falcons drafted Michael Penix about six weeks after signing Kirk Cousins two years ago.

Minnesota has several sneaky draft paths that could catch fans and analysts off guard.

Here’s a look at the realistic curveballs Minnesota could throw at you in the draft.

A Few Unexpected Draft Moves Remain in Play for Minnesota

Ranked in no particular order, this is the sneaky stuff Minnesota might have up its sleeve.

1. Trading Up for RB Jeremiyah Love

Love would make the Vikings’ offense unstoppable; let’s get that out there. With Kyler Murray in the house, the sky is the limit for Kevin O’Connell’s scheme, and landing Love would change everything about the franchise. It’s O’Connell’s ticket to changing a pass-happy offense into a balanced killer.

The trade, however, won’t be cheap. To get Love, whether at pick No. 4, No. 6, or No. 10, the Vikings will have to surrender their 18th pick, a 2nd-Rounder, and perhaps a 3rd-Rounder. If they love Love, it might be worth it.

2. Drafting TE Kenyon Sadiq at No. 18

At 6’3″ and 245 pounds, Sadiq is still 21, allowing him ample time to develop compared to other prospects. Across 42 games at Oregon, he logged 80 receptions for 892 yards and 11 touchdowns. Highlighting his athleticism, Oregon also used him as a kick returner in ’23 and ’24.

Sadiq’s versatility sets him apart as a potential first-round pick. His capacity to catch passes and block for both runners and quarterbacks is a rare combination for a tight end his age.

TE1 T.J. Hockenson will be a free agent next offseason. There’s absolutely no reason the Vikings or the team’s fans should say, “We have Hockenson; we don’t need a tight end.”

Embracing the best player available mindet, Minnesota could take the plunge with Sadiq at No. 18. The coaching staff won’t regret it.

3. Trading Jonathan Greenard, Jordan Addison, or J.J. McCarthy

A Greenard trade has been rumored for over a month. If he wants a contract over $30 million per season, Minnesota might have to trade him for budgetary purposes. After all, Micah Parsons earns $46 million per year in Green Bay. Greenard’s at $19 million. Quite the variance. The Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles have evidently been side-eyeing Greenard’s trade price for weeks.

Then, an Addison trade is unlikely after exercising his fifth-year option this week. But what if a team dangled a 1st-Rounder, which Minnesota could parley into Jordyn Tyson or Omar Cooper? Would you do it?

On McCarthy, teams like the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals need long-term quarterback fixes, or at least plans in that direction. If Minnesota could pry loose a 2nd-Rounder or 3rd-Rounder for McCarthy, Brzezinski would have to listen.

4. Picking a WR at No. 18

Jalen Nailor now works for the Las Vegas Raiders. He was the Vikings’ WR3 in 2024 and 2025. On deck as his replacement? Tai Felton — who barely played at all on offense as a rookie last year.

On top of those factoids, Addison’s legal problems (the WR2) are troublesome. He could be arrested at any minute, sending the Vikings’ offensive planning into disarray. That’s just a fear the Vikings must live with by now.

Pretend Minnesota let Nailor walk because it planned to spend a 1st-Rounder on a new wide receiver. These players could be on the board at No. 18:

• Makai Lemon (USC)
• Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State)
• Omar Cooper Jr. (Indiana)
• KC Concepcion (Texas A&M)
• Denzel Boston (Washington)

The Vikings do one single thing really, really well throughout the last four decades: draft fantastic wide receivers. Maybe they’ll shock the world and do it again. After all, O’Connell is an offensively minded head coach (and now the default Team CEO).

5. Choosing an EDGE in Round 1

The deepest spot on the Vikings’ roster, less than three weeks from the draft? Outside linebacker. These men headline the group:

• Jonathan Greenard
• Andrew Van Ginkel
• Dallas Turner

Still, drafting an EDGE cannot be ruled out because Greenard is evidently on the trade block to some extent, and Van Ginkel will be a free agent next offseason.

These are the names to keep in mind:

• Keldric Faulk (Auburn)
• Akheem Mesidor (Miami)
• T.J. Parker (Clemson)
• Cashius Howell (Texas A&M)
• Zion Young (Missouri)

The Vikings have drafted one EDGE rusher in Round 1 in the last 20 years: the aforementioned Turner. Adding another isn’t the worst idea in the world; fans rarely complain about their favorite team having “too many good OLBs.”