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The Boldest Vikings Predictions for the 2026 NFL Draft

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Video board on NFL Draft stage showing “The Pick Is In” for the Minnesota Vikings during the third round in Green Bay
Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; April 25, 2025; A wide shot captures the stage video board displaying “The Pick Is In” for the Minnesota Vikings during the third round of the NFL Draft, as fans and team personnel await the announcement inside the draft theater in Green Bay. Mandatory Credit: Perry Knotts-Getty Images

Next week, our staff will formally predict the Minnesota Vikings’ 1st-Round pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, but first, we asked our writers to get funky — the bold stuff that might unfold between April 23rd and 25th. “Bold predictions,” by design, are supposed to be “out there” and even a little bizarre.

These predictions lean weird for a reason.

Minnesota has nine picks this time; here’s what our people say will happen if things get a bit weird.

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12 Vikings Calls That Could Rattle Minnesota’s Draft

Thinking outside the box for the 2026 NFL Draft.

Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson celebrating a touchdown against UCLA at the Rose Bowl. Vikings predictions 2026 NFL Draft.
Pasadena, California, USA; Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson (21) celebrates after reaching the end zone during first-half action against UCLA at the Rose Bowl, Nov 8, 2025, as teammates react nearby and momentum swings in Nebraska’s favor during a high-energy matchup. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

1. The First 4 Pick Are Offensive Players

Predictor: Wes Johnson

The Vikings are in a prime position to add to the offensive side of the ball, and when you futurecast it, you can see why they’ll lean that way. Jordan Addison had his 5th-year option picked up, which means he will be on the 2027 books for around $18m.

Justin Jefferson will come in around $49.5m, with the two WRs set to command about 21% of the cap. That’s not sustainable for future years, and thinking about the position’s future is smart football.

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WRs KC Conception or Jordan Tyson could be targets in the first round. Tight end is another area to focus on for the future. T.J. Hockenson will be a free agent and has slowed down since his knee injury.

Drafting someone dynamic on Day 2 should be a must; Eli Stowers, Max Klare, or Oscar Delp would be options here. Finally, finding a center of the future to shore up the line moving forward will only help keep the pocket clean for Kyler Murray. At pick No. 97, I can see them bringing home Emmitt Johnson, who many are saying is an Aaron Jones clone. Who better to learn under than Jones in what might be a swan-song year for #33?

2. Offensive Tackle Drafted Early

Predictor: Janik Eckardt

On paper, the Vikings don’t need an offensive tackle with Brian O’Neill and Christian Darrisaw still on the roster. Furthermore, the franchise signed backup Ryan Van Demark this offseason. Still, with injury concerns surrounding both starters, the front office will select a tackle in the Top 100 to add a long-term backup to the squad, who will be developed until he’s ready to enter the starting lineup in a year or two.

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3. Vikings End up with 10 Picks + Plus One Banked for 2027

Predictor: Kyle Joudry

The Vikings go into the event with nine picks. By the time it’s done, the Vikings will have made 10 selections and added an extra pick for 2027.

4. Vikings Trade Down, Draft DT Peter Woods

Predictor: Steve Hoikkala

The Vikings trade back from Pick No. 18 and stay in the 1st Round to select DL Peter Woods from Clemson to pair with Jalen Redmond. The Vikings know they need to build in the trenches to be successful on defense.

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5. J.J. McCarthy Traded, Rookie QB Drafted

Predictor: Ted Schwerzler

Not only is J.J. McCarthy gone, but the Vikings can also land a developmental prospect. By trading McCarthy, Minnesota gets mid-round draft capital this cycle. They’ll stick with Kyler Murray when it works, and landing Taylen Green (Arkansas) or Cole Payton (NDSU) on Day 3 gives Kevin O’Connell a lower-profile project.

6. The Pick Is Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq

Predictor: Dustin Baker

When the Vikings reworked T.J. Hockenson’s contract, making him a free agent in 2027, many fans thought, “Hockenson is back, huh? I guess they’re not drafting a tight end.”

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What they should have thought? “Hockenson’s last year in Minnesota is 2026, so a tight end from the draft is now in play.”

The pick at No. 18 is Sadiq, who will help compensate for the Vikings’ lack of WR3 at the moment — and so much more.

7. First 2 Picks Are Safeties

Predictor: Henrique Gucciardi

Flores seems happy with his starting cornerbacks, but even if Harrison Smith returns, the safety position must be addressed. With that in mind, interim GM Rob Brzezinski selects either Dillon Thieneman or Emmanuel McNeil-Warren on Day 1 and pairs him with A.J. Haulcy as their second pick

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8. Vikings Trade Out of Round 1 Altogether

Predictor: Adam New

This year’s draft appears low on top-end talent, and the Vikings look like they are in a good spot to trade back. They go out of the first round completely for more Day 2 picks.

9. Jeremiyah Love Somehow Lands in MIN

Predictor: Cole Smith

Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love rushing while a USC defender attempts a tackle. Vikings predictions 2026 NFL Draft.
South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love (4) carries the football while USC safety Bishop Fitzgerald (19) closes in defensively during second-half play at Notre Dame Stadium, Oct 18, 2025, as the Irish offense pushes for yards in a tightly contested matchup. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

The Vikings land Jeremiyah Love … without trading up. That’s it. That’s the prediction. This is what I’m rooting for, and I think there’s a world in which it happens. Very unlikely, but I don’t want the Vikings trading up for him either.

10. No Safety in First 3 Rounds

Predictor: Josh Frey

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There are plenty of reasons for the Vikings to pick a safety early in this spring’s draft, but do they outweigh needs at other positions? I’m not so certain. The Vikings won’t end up with a new safety by the end of Day 2.

11. No Offensive Players until Rounds 4-7

Predictor: Brevan Bane

Brian Flores watching from the sideline during a Vikings playoff game against the Rams. Vikings predictions 2026 NFL Draft.
Glendale, Arizona, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores stands on the sideline observing defensive alignments during the NFC Wild Card game against the Los Angeles Rams, Jan 13, 2025, as postseason intensity builds and communication remains critical throughout the matchup. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Vikings won’t select any offensive players until Day 3. Given how much the defense needs young talent and how the board could likely shake out, Minnesota could have some decent looks at good defenders at its selections at 18, 49, 82, and 97.

12. Vikings Draft DL and OL with First 3 Picks

Predictor: Sean Borman

Vikings bypass the secondary and WR early in the draft to use their first three picks on a “trench-first” overhaul of IDL and C. This strategy prioritizes long-term cap sustainability and leans into Brian Flores’ identity by betting that elite physical line play is more critical to success than high-priced cornerbacks.

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It’s building the roster from the inside out. After all, three of the four starting trenchmen who were signed in free agency last offseason are already gone.


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Trump attends UFC 327 in Miami after Iran war ceasefire agreement

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President Donald Trump was greeted by a packed crowd at UFC 327 in Miami Saturday night during the president’s first appearance at a sporting event since the start of the Iran war. Fans in attendance erupted into raucous applause as Trump walked into the venue. 

Trump made his way out with UFC CEO and president Dana White and went around to the announcers and had an exchange with Joe Rogan, who was sitting at the announcers’ table. 

Secretary of State Marco Rubio was standing nearby the seats right before Trump walked out, then leaned in to Trump and started whispering very closely to the president, cupping his hands over his mouth and they each exchanged a few words. Trump then turned around, pumping his fist to those sitting behind him, smiling and waving, then pointed a few times to the crowd. 

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President Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump arrives at UFC 327: Jiri Prochazka vs Carlos Ulberg at Kaseya Center in Miami, on April 11, 2026. (Jim WATSON / AFP)

Trump has been a frequent fixture at UFC and other combat sports events during his presidency, during his 2024 campaign and even dating back to his first term.

In 2025, Trump attended UFC 316 and Miami fight night. In 2024, he attended UFC 302 in June and UFC 309 in November.

U.S. President Donald Trump waving to media after exiting Air Force One at Miami International Airport

President Donald Trump waves to the media after walking off Air Force One at Miami International Airport in Miami, Fla., on April 11, 2026. Trump was in town to attend a UFC fight. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

In 2019, he attended UFC 244.

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Before Saturday, the last major sporting event Trump attended was the College Football Playoff national championship game between Indiana and Miami at Hard Rock Stadium Jan. 19.

IRAN POSTPONES TEHRAN FAREWELL CEREMONY FOR KHAMENEI WHERE LARGE CROWDS WERE EXPECTED TO GATHER

President Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump chats with UFC CEO and president Dana White before UFC 327: Jiri Prochazka vs Carlos Ulberg at Kaseya Center in Miami, on April 11, 2026. (Jim Watson / AFP)

Trump was notably absent from this year’s Super Bowl and the Winter Olympics in Italy and didn’t attend any other events after the Iran war broke out.

But after Tuesday’s ceasefire agreement, Trump has returned to sport. Trump addressed the ongoing situation with Iran at the White House before departing for Joint Base Andrews to travel to Miami for the UFC event.

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“We’re in very deep negotiations with Iran. We win regardless. We’ve defeated them militarily,” Trump told reporters. “Whether we make a deal or not makes no difference to me. And the reason is because we’ve won, whether you listen to the fake news or not.”

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

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NASCAR hands out major penalties for Kyle Larson, Ross Chastain after pre race inspection for Cup Series race at Bristol

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Kyle Larson, Ross Chastain and three other drivers will start on the back foot at Bristol Motor Speedway. The teams have lost pit selection and a crew member after failing NASCAR’s pre-race inspections.

Of the five drivers, Larson and Chastain are the only ones to start among the top-10. Chastain has qualified in sixth, while Larson trails him by two spots. Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney put his car on top with a top speed of 127.064 mph.

Notably, Chastain and Larson are the only drivers from their respective teams to make the top-10. Larson is also competing in the O’Reilly race in preparation for Sunday.

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NASCAR reporter Toby Christie shared the list of penalties on X.

“Ross Chastain, Kyle Larson, Cole Custer, and Chad Finchum will be without their car chiefs and will lose pit selection after two pre-race inspection fails. Michael McDowell (also failed twice) will lose pit selection and has had an engineer ejected,” he wrote.

Ross Chastain, Kyle Larson, Cole Custer, and Chad Finchum will be without their car chiefs and will lose pit selection after two pre-race inspection fails. Michael McDowell (also failed twice) will lose pit selection and has had an engineer ejected. #NASCAR

Kyle Larson is looking to end his nearly year-long winless streak. The Hendrick Motorsports driver admitted that wins are tough to come by.

The two-time Cup champion keeps winning in sprint cars, however. He last won the High Limit Series season opener at Las Vegas, beating the likes of HMS prodigy Corey Day.

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Sunday’s Food City 500 is scheduled for 3 PM ET. Fans can watch the race on FS1 and HBO Max, or listen to radio updates on SiriusXM NASCAR radio.


Kyle Larson compares heart rate between NASCAR and sprint car races

Kyle Larson recently went over his heart rate at NASCAR and sprint car races. In a press conference at Bristol, Larson was asked about his Fitbit stats at tracks like Daytona.

“Average would probably only be like 135,” Larson responded, “but like you go to Bristol or something, and it’ll probably be an average of 165, you know, because there’s just more action and you’re like physically working a little harder.”

“And then sprint cars. It’s like 197 or higher. Yeah, if a race goes green, you know, seven- minute race. Like, you’ll be more worn out for that than a three and a half hour NASCAR race,” he added.

Kyle Larson has racked up impressive stats at Bristol. The No.5 driver has nabbed two consecutive wins and five top-5 finishes in the Next Gen Era. He has won thrice at the half-mile concrete, with three runner-up finishes to boot.

Larson had his most dominant outing during the 2024 Bristol Night Race, where he swept both stages and led 462 laps up front. The Californian replicated the feat in 2025 and led 411 laps with two stage wins.

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His last race at the track, however, saw him finishing a paltry 32nd.