Dustin Baker’s 2026 Vikings Mock Draft 3.0 Has Arrived

The Vikings shook operations up just a bit during free agency, notably adding quarterback Kyler Murray and CB3 James Pierre, in addition to new punter Johnny Hekker and offensive tackle Ryan Van Demark. So, it’s time for a mock draft — version 3.0 — the second-to-last before the main event on April 23rd.

This seven-round projection leans defense early and keeps building Minnesota’s depth for the long haul.

As always, these mock drafts are predictive, not necessarily what the author wants, but rather what he believes the Vikings will do on draft weekend.

A Full Seven-Round Prediction for Minnesota’s Draft Moves

The Vikings have nine picks this go-round.

**TRADE**
Vikings Get:
30th Overall Pick
2026 3rd-Rounder (Pick No. 215)
2027 3rd-Rounder
— for —
Dolphins Get:
18th Overall Pick (Kenyon Sadiq, TE)

Round 1 (Pick 30)
Emmanuel McNeill-Warren (S) | Oregon

It really doesn’t matter for the draft’s sake if Harrison Smith returns or retires — the Vikings need a young safety as their succession plan. After doing business with Miami above, the Dolphins fill their tremendous TE1 need with Sadiq, while Minnesota rolls with McNeill-Warren as the Smith replacement.

Round 2 (Pick 49)
Jadarian Price (RB) | Notre Dame

Lord, oh Lord, do the Vikings need to put their foot down and draft a rookie running back. The last elite one was named Dalvin Cook, and he joined the club nine years ago.

Price profiles somewhere between Tony Pollard and Javonte Williams as a pro comp. That will work for the 2026-2029 Vikings.

Round 3 (Pick 74) — from MIA
Sam Hecht (C) | Kansas State

A sneaky roster need right now for Minnesota? Center. Unless the team loves and trusts Blake Brandel or Michael Jurgens, it needs a center to replace Ryan Kelly, who retired last week. Hecht has the juice to be a Day One starter, and outside of signing a free agent like Ethan Pocic or Lloyd Cushenberry III, that’s what the Vikings need.

Round 3 (Pick 82)
Davison Igbinosun (CB) | Ohio State

Igbinosun is a “Brian Flores cornerback.” Our Janik Eckardt noted on his skill set this month, “Davison Igbinosun is a long, physical cornerback whose size, press ability, and competitive mindset translate well to boundary coverage roles. While his Combine testing reflects solid rather than elite athleticism, his experience against Power Five competition and reliable coverage traits give him early-round draft value.”

“In press-oriented systems, he projects as an early contributor with starter upside as technique refinement continues. Igbinosun projects as a Day 2 selection, most commonly in the Round 2–3 range. His size, physicality, and experience against top competition make him a strong fit for defenses that prioritize press-man concepts and boundary physicality.”

Minnesota could put his physicality to use sooner rather than later.

“Early in his NFL career, he profiles as a rotational outside corner and special teams contributor, with the potential to develop into a dependable starter in schemes that emphasize leverage discipline and physical coverage at the line of scrimmage,” Eckardt concluded.

Round 3 (Pick 97)
Bryce Lance (WR) | North Dakota State

Lance is a native Minnesotan — Marshall — who banked 2,157 receiving yards and 25 paydirts in the last two campaigns at NDSU. Meanwhile, with Jalen Nailor departed for the Las Vegas Raiders, Minnesota has just Tai Felton and Myles Price as rosterable commodities on the current depth chart.

Kevin O’Connell can put Lance’s 6’3″ frame to work immediately.

Round 5 (Pick 161)
Reggie Virgil (WR) | Texas Tech

Why not two wideouts? Back-to-back even.

Felton barely played on offense in 2025, and some called that pick a dumb one in the first place. Price, the kick and punt returner, also doesn’t play much on offense. Lance and Virgil would add the WR depth needed after Nailor vamoosed.

Round 6 (Pick 196)
Nick Barrett (DT) | South Carolina

Barrett is known as a run-stuffing defensive tackle. The Vikings said goodbye to Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave at the beginning of free agency. Like Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins last year, Barrett is late-round DT depth.

Round 7 (Pick 234)
Quintayvious Hutchins (OLB) | Boston College

Bo Richter is the Vikings’ OLB4 after Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Dallas Turner. Hutchins is known for a combination of smoothness and a nasty streak, an ironic and fantastic combo.

Round 7 (Pick 240)
Nolan Rucci (OT) | Penn State

Christian Darrisaw’s ACL recovery has bent weirdly, and Brian O’Neill will turn 31 around Week 2. Next to Walter Rouse, Rucci is the new insurance.

Round 7 (Pick 244)
Brett Thorson (P) | Georgia

Thorson is the top rookie punting prospect in 2026, and after the Johnny Hekker signing this week, why not Thorson for a “may the best man win” competition later this summer in Eagan?