Some “Unfiltered” NFL Executives Toss Criticism at Vikings’ Draft

The Vikings’ draft effort in 2026 wasn’t without some detractors. Consider the anonymous NFL executives among those who aren’t totally sold.

Mike Sando of The Athletic leveraged his league connections to assemble a piece covering the NFC’s draft hauls alongside the AFC’s draft hauls. Maybe predictably, the Minnesota Vikings didn’t earn pristine grades. Check out what some NFL employees had to say about the draft haul under Rob Brzezinski.

NFL Executives Aren’t Sold on Vikings’ Draft Picks

On a basic level, the Vikings did much to beef up the roster. Minnesota went defense early, showing a particular preference for the front seven (consider a complete tracker if there’s a desire for more precise details).

Sando’s article offers a few words on opting for Randy Moss a while ago, a similarly controversial pick that happened to turn out alright. Can the same be said of the Caleb Banks decision? Someday, perhaps, but not everyone thinks it will turn out well.

To begin, there’s a reflection on the influence of Minnesota’s defensive coordinator. Some Sando and some NFL executive thoughts:

“The takeaway from the Minnesota draft is that (defensive coordinator) Brian Flores has a lot of say in the building,” an exec said.

In 2019, when Flores was the Dolphins’ new head coach, many believed he wanted to draft defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, who was not invited to the combine after video footage (from 2016, when Simmons was in high school) showed him punching a woman while she was on the ground. The Dolphins, then led by fourth-year GM Chris Grier, instead drafted Christian Wilkins, a solid player with less perceived risk.

Flores got his guy this time. There is no denying the immense talent Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks brings to the field — if he makes it there after breaking his left foot before the 2025 season and again at the combine.

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Consider another opinion: “‘Caleb Banks is really talented but does not play with great desire and is hurt all the time,’ a different exec said. ‘Scares me to death.’”

Likewise, there’s skepticism about the merit of moving on from Jonathan Greenard. “‘Greenard is too good of a player at a premium position to let go,’ a fourth exec said. ‘You gotta figure out a way to make that one work.’”

Note that there’s some optimism about the Jake Golday addition sprinkled into the mix, with a different NFL executive insisting that he’s “‘a perfect scheme fit for what Flores wants to do on the edge there.’”

Add it together and there’s an overwhelming takeaway: the Vikings made some risky decisions that defied expectations. People outside of the NFL and inside of the NFL don’t see things working out particularly well. Or, at the very least, there’s a widespread leaning toward a more negative assessment.

Minnesota’s path toward a strong draft haul begins with DT Caleb Banks. Seeing him turn into an elite defensive lineman who generates All Pro attention will mean that Vikings did tremendously well. Falling short of that lofty ideal means criticism will be upcoming, especially if the problem ends up being due to his health.

What should be remembered, though, is that the Vikings aren’t betting everything on the powerful defensive lineman. Minnesota’s legendary 2015 draft is considered so remarkable not because of the 1st-Round selection (CB Trae Waynes) but due to the 2nd-Round selection (LB Eric Kendricks), 3rd-Round selection (EDGE Danielle Hunter), and 5th-Round selection (WR Stefon Diggs).

So, keep an eye on what the other young lads do. They’ll be leaned on to help the Minnesota Vikings, too. Getting a stud in the Golday selection, the Domonique Orange add, and/or the various others (I’ve got my eye on CB Chuck Demmings) will mean that the chorus of critics start singing a different song. Even the UDFA haul has a role to play.

Next week, the Vikings are going to get into rookie minicamp. There will then be OTAs alongside mandatory minicamp coming up (read more). The other most notable story to watch is how these young fellas develop alongside whether the Vikings get a Jauan Jennings deal done.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.