If We Were the Vikings, This Would Be the Pick on Friday Night

Night No. 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft is in the books, as the Minnesota Vikings shocked the world by selecting Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks. Now, it’s time for Rounds 2 and 3 on Friday night, and VikingsTerritory‘s writers have recommendations.

The board still offers value. Minnesota needs the right fit.

We asked our staff to name one player the Vikings absolutely cannot leave Friday night without, and here’s how they replied.

Day 2 Brings Minnesota a Chance to Balance the Roster

Need Vikings-themed draft recommendations for Friday night? We got ’em.

1. Connor Lew | C, Auburn

Recommender: Henrique Gucciardi

I initially didn’t like the Banks pick, but I feel better about it after sleeping on it. If they are comfortable enough to pick Banks coming off an injury-riddled season, then selecting Lew at either 82 or 97, who, to me, is the best center in the Draft, coming off a torn ACL, is a likely scenario.

2. A.J. Haulcy | S, LSU

Recommender: Adam New

Haulcy lands the Vikings the true deep safety that they desperately need. Getting to 49 would be a great result.

3. Malachi Fields | WR, Notre Dame

Recommender: Brevan Bane

I have been pounding the table all offseason for the big-body WR out of Notre Dame, and the Vikings passed on Makai Lemon in the first round. Fields would give the Vikings a loaded WR room without the first-round investment some were scared of this year.

4. Sam Hecht | C, Kansas State

Recommender: Cole Smith

There are several positions the Vikings should address, but I’ll be shocked if they don’t end the night with a new center. I think Kansas State’s Sam Hecht is their preference, but Florida’s Jake Slaughter, Auburn’s Connor Lew, and Iowa’s Logan Jones are viable options as well in the third round. It’s Hecht for me.

5. Germie Bernard | WR, Alabama

Recommender: Sean Borman

Bernard has sure hands, can line up anywhere, and can get after it in the open field. Giving Kyler Murray 3 legit WR’s and Hockenson (and maybe a rookie TE) to target is a good way to ensure you’ll be able to move the ball consistently on offense. Not to mention the Jordan Addison insurance.

6. Treydan Stukes | DB, Arizona

Recommender: Josh Frey

The Vikings added a big-body to their DT room last night, but there’s still work to be done on the defensive side of the ball. Treyden Stukes can serve as the new free safety for the Vikings, and this is a team that is still trying to find a replacement for Camryn Bynum.

7. Jonah Coleman | RB, Washington
— or —
Jaishawn Barham | EDGE, Michigan

Recommender: Dustin Baker

The Vikings cannot delay the young running back predicament any longer — they need one. Jadarian Price would’ve been a sweet prize in Round 2, but the Seattle Seahawks ruined that.

Minnesota should draft Coleman in Round 3, either at pick No. 82 or 97. He’s the best pass-blocking tailback after Jeremiyah Love in this class, meaning when he morphs into the RB1, he won’t have to come off the field on 3rd Down.

If Coleman isn’t an option, the Vikings should draft Michigan EDGE Jaishawn Barham at No. 82. Andrew Van Ginkel will be a free agent in 2027; let’s plan for his possible off-ramp.

t8. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren | S, Toledo

Recommender: Tony Schultz

After last night’s surprise pick of Caleb Banks, the Vikings need to address the best player available and a position of need. He may be the third choice at the position, but let’s hope that McNeil-Warren is still on the board.

Taking him will patch a lot of the hurt that fans think they have endured for not following everyone’s mock drafts. He can make it to 49 because the path is pretty clear, with the number of good corners available and the team’s needs ahead of him. If they can add Sam Hecht and Emmett Johnson, that’s just icing on the cake.

t8. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren | S, Toledo

Recommender: Janik Eckardt

Everyone sent safety Dillon Thieneman to the State of 10,000 Lakes in mock draft season, but the Vikings went in a different direction. Some, however, thought Toledo’s McNeil-Warren would be an even better fit. Safety remains a need for Minnesota, and McNeil-Warren is one of the top players on the board. It remains to be seen if he’s falling to 49; it might be time to call some other front offices to move up a little.

t10. De’Zhaun Stribling | WR, Mississippi

Reccomender: Kyle Joudry

Size, speed, and blocking. Looks like a very good option to compete at WR3.

t10. De’Zhaun Stribling | WR, Mississippi

Reccomender: Wes Johnson

The Vikings need to come away with some combination of the following at the end of day 2 (WR, C, and S). Luckily, many players fit that bill. The Vikings have flirted with later-round WRs over the past few years, but let’s face it, historically, WRs taken after pick 60 are rarely anything more than serviceable.

The Vikings need impact after losing Jalen Nailor to the Raiders this offseason. Enter Top 30 prospect Stribling from Ole Miss. Stribling has been a late draft riser, and many view him as a plug-and-play pro. He’d be a can’t-miss selection in the 2nd or 3rd round.