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.
Advertisement
12 Vikings Calls That Could Rattle Minnesota’s Draft
Thinking outside the box for the 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.
Advertisement
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.
Advertisement
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.
Advertisement
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.”
Advertisement
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
Advertisement
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
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
Advertisement
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
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.
Advertisement
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.
Graveyard Keeper is a very interesting simulation game where you have to do some shady graveyard work to make money and unlock new technologies to progress.
There are many tasks at hand such as expanding your church and spreading your influence that requires a lot of paperwork in Graveyard Keeper. Doing the paperwork also requires a lot of writing supplies and ink, and crafting ink can be confusing if you are starting out.
While you can buy ink from the Astrologer early on, crafting it yourself is essential to avoid spending money on something that is very important in the gameplay. Here is a straightforward, step-by-step guide to producing your own ink from scratch in Graveyard Keeper.
Advertisement
Guide to making ink in Graveyard Keeper
You need to make black paint in Graveyard Keeper before making ink (Image via Lazy Bear Games || YouTube@jamasinplays)
Before you can start mixing ingredients, you must unlock the necessary workstations in your technology tree:
Writing supplies: This technology node allows you to craft ink and paper at the church workbench.
Alchemy: You must navigate the swamp and speak to Clotho the witch to unlock the alchemy tech tree. This allows you to build the alchemy workbench (tier I), which is mandatory for mixing dyes.
The biggest hurdle in making ink is obtaining black paint. There are a few alchemical recipes, but two methods are great for players who have just started Graveyard Keeper or progressed a little ahead. These methods are mixing ash with oil and adding graphite powder with water.
Ash: Easily obtained by cremating corpses on pyres instead of burying them.
Oil: You can buy “seed oil” from Dig (the vendor east of the tavern) or press it yourself from hemp seeds.
Note: You cannot put a glass bottle of “seed oil” directly into the alchemy bench. You must open your inventory, select the seed oil, and click “Use” to extract 10 drops of usable oil. Combine the ash and oil at the tier I alchemy workbench to create your paint.
The other method involves mixing graphite powder with water and it is not recommended for early gameplay. Here’s how you can make ink using this method.
Graphite powder: Mine coal, smelt it into graphite in a furnace (level 2 or higher), and grind it down using an alchemy mill.
Water: Draw a bucket from the well near your house and “Use” it in your inventory to get water droplets. Combine the powder and water at the bench.
Once you have your black paint, you need two final components to thin it out and store it:
Water (1x): Sourced from your home well.
Conical flasks (1x): Crafted at a furnace using glass (smelted from river sand and water) or purchased directly from the Astrologer.
Once you have all the necessary raw material, you can craft ink using the workbench (Image via Lazy Bear Games || YouTube@jamasinplays)
Head down to the church basement and interact with the church workbench. Combine your 1x black paint, 1x water, and 1x conical flask. This recipe is highly efficient, yielding 5x ink per craft. To turn your newly crafted ink into a usable writing tool, combine it with feathers (purchased from the village egg vendor) to make pen and ink.
If you have not set up your alchemy lab yet and just need to finish an early quest, like making flyers for the Inquisitor, do not panic. The Astrologer sells ink and feathers once a week. Buying a single bottle of ink to craft three sets of pen and ink is a great way to avoid the early grind until your graveyard economy is fully operational.
Why did you not like this content?
Advertisement
Was this article helpful?
Thank You for feedback
Are you stuck on today’s Wordle? Our Wordle Solver will help you find the answer.
Bred more for speed than endurance, Single Choice still holds strong prospects to hand trainer Matt Cumani a breakthrough Group One in the South Australian Derby.
A product of Anders, celebrated for explosive sprint ability, Single Choice asserted superiority to win the Listed Galilee Series Final (2400m) at Caulfield over the weekend.
Originally the standout favourite, he drifted to $5 third choice at the jump with Jamie Mott steering, settling the runner outside the frontrunners.
The race unfolded with a lethargic start before quickening, enabling Single Choice to burst clear for a 1-1/4 length margin over Arabian Prince ($3.70) as $2.90 favourite Amazake endured severe checking midrace around the turn.
“I was very nervous about whether he’d get the trip, but he got a beautiful ride by Motty,” Cumani said.
“No speed early, but they went pretty solid from the 800 (metres) out, even earlier than that and he had to sustain a pretty hard run.
“But he’s got to be of that turn of foot and that’s really valuable for a horse that can get a bit of a trip.
Advertisement
“I think we’ve got to go to Adelaide off that. This race was a bit of a test to see if he might get a derby distance, and even though it might not have been a solid run 2400 throughout, I think it’s provided enough of a test to say that we can go there and give it a go.”
Rider Jamie Mott was impressed by Single Choice’s adaptation, particularly after the horse’s wide trip to victory in the Autumn Classic two runs previous.
“It was bit of a new scenario for him, and he adapted well, and I think if he takes his form today to the Derby, they’ll know he’s there for sure,” Mott said.
Visit premier betting sites to find the keenest racing odds on the upcoming South Australian Derby.
Badminton Asia Championships Final Live Score: Ayush Shetty vs Shi Yu Qi Badminton Asia Championships Final Live Score: India’s emerging badminton talent Ayush Shetty is on the cusp of a historic achievement as he gears up to face China’s Shi Yu Qi in the men’s singles final of the Badminton Asia Championships on Sunday.
The 20-year-old has been the breakout star of the tournament, putting together an impressive run against some of the world’s best. Now, just one victory separates him from a landmark title that would mark a defining moment in his young career and a significant milestone for Indian badminton.
Semifinal heroics: Shetty stuns world No. 1 Shetty delivered a performance of immense character in the semifinal, overcoming reigning world No. 1 Kunlavut Vitidsarn in a gripping three-game encounter. After a one-sided opening game, the Indian showed resilience and tactical maturity to fight back, turning the match around with aggressive shot-making and improved control in the rallies.
Shi Yu Qi cruises into final In contrast, Shi Yu Qi had a far more straightforward passage to the final. The Chinese star produced a dominant display in his semifinal, winning in straight games with authority. His control over rallies, sharp net play, and ability to dictate tempo ensured he rarely allowed his opponent any foothold in the match.
Advertisement
On Saturday, the 20-year-old Ayush dethroned Kunvalut 10-21, 21-19, 21-17, while world No.2 Shi outclassed Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei 21-9, 21-13 in the semifinals of Badminton Asia Championships.
When and where to watch live Date: Sunday, April 12, 2026 Time: 1:00 PM IST Live Streaming: Available on Badminton Asia’s official Facebook and YouTube channels TV Broadcast: No live telecast in India
China’s Shi Yu Qi leads the head-to-head record against India’s Ayush Shetty 2-0 . The two shuttlers are scheduled to meet for the third time today. While Shi Yu Qi has won both previous encounters, their last meeting at the Malaysia Open in January was a closely contested three-game battle, suggesting Shetty is closing the gap.
Head-to-head and challenge ahead Shi Yu Qi currently leads the head-to-head 2-0, but their most recent meeting at the Malaysia Open earlier this year was a closely fought three-game encounter. That match suggested that Shetty is steadily closing the gap against one of the world’s best.
Advertisement
Shetty will also draw inspiration from fellow Indian Lakshya Sen, who defeated Shi Yu Qi at the All England Championships last month, a result that proved the Chinese star can be beaten.
Apr 11, 2026; San Jose, California, USA; Vancouver Canucks right wing Brock Boeser (6) and San Jose Sharks defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin (85) battle for control of the puck during the first period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images
Macklin Celebrini tallied his 109th and 110th points of the season, but the San Jose Sharks couldn’t win their home finale of the season, falling 4-3 to the Vancouver Canucks in a shootout on Saturday night.
Jake DeBrusk and Linus Karlsson found the back of the net for the Canucks in the shootout, which went to six rounds.
DeBrusk, Teddy Blueger and Marco Rossi scored in regulation, and Kevin Lankinen made 28 saves for the Canucks (23-48-8, 54 points), who had lost four straight games and nine of their last 10. Vancouver has been eliminated from playoff contention.
Igor Chernyshov scored twice, Celebrini had two assists and Yaroslav Askarov made 38 saves for the Sharks (37-34-8, 82 points), who have lost three straight. Saturday’s loss keeps the Sharks five points behind the Los Angeles Kings, who are in the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference playoff standings.
Advertisement
Chernyshov put San Jose ahead 1-0 at 16:19 of the first period. Celebrini won a faceoff in Vancouver’s zone and fell as he fed the puck to Chernyshov, who scored on a backhand shot in front of the net.
Rossi tied the game 1-1 at 5:56 of the second period. Askarov went to play the puck behind the net, then tried to adjust before Rossi’s shot caught him out of position. The netminder pulled the net down on the puck, but officials called the goal good for Vancouver.
Tyler Toffoli gave the Sharks the 2-1 lead at 9:02. Sam Dickinson broke up the ice and set Toffoli up with a drop pass. The veteran center scored on a wrist shot.
DeBrusk tied the score back up 2-2 on a power play at 17:37. Askarov stopped a shot by Filip Hronek, and DeBrusk successfully scored on the rebound. San Jose challenged the goal for goaltender interference, but the call stood. It was DeBrusk’s 20th goal of the season, and 17th on the man advantage.
Advertisement
Chernyshov’s second goal of the night put the Sharks up 3-2 at 12:44 as Celebrini set him up for a wrist shot. Blueger tied the game 3-3 with 3:00 left in regulation with a wrist shot.
Apr 11, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego FC midfielder Onni Valakari (8) shoots against the Minnesota United FC during the first half at Snapdragon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Abe Arredondo-Imagn Images
Kelvin Yeboah scored his fourth goal of the season just before halftime and visiting Minnesota United held on for a 2-1 victory over 10-man San Diego FC on Saturday night.
Kyle Duncan also scored in the first half and Owen Gene had assists on both goals for the Loons (3-2-2, 11 points), who completed a second straight away win.
They were aided by a third red card received by a San Diego player in as many games, when defender Christopher McVey received his second booking in the opening minutes of the second half.
It was also McVey’s second ejection in as many appearances.
Luca Bombino, 19, scored his second career MLS goal and first of the season on a thunderous early volley for San Diego (3-2-2, 11 points), which is winless in its last five matches across all competitions.
Advertisement
Before that slide, the second-year club had won five out of its first six between MLS and CONCACAF Champions Cup play.
Duncan pulled Minnesota level in the 15th minute, eight minutes after going behind.
After a nice sequence of passes on the left attacking half, Gene picked out Tomas Chancalay on the left flank.
Advertisement
Chancalay lofted a left-footed cross to the back post, where Duncan met it with a firm header past Duran Ferree.
Next, Yeboah punished some reluctant San Diego defending to give the Loons the lead in the 40th minute.
This time it was Gene sending in an early cross from the right to the back post, where Anthony Markanich met it with a downward header.
Defenders reacted slowly, and Yeboah reached the loose ball to stab it across the line from close range.
Advertisement
It got worse for the hosts in the opening seconds of the second half when McVay fouled Minnesota’s Nicolas Romero.
For the second time, referee Victor Rivas produced a caution in McVey’s direction. His previous dismissal late in a 2-2 draw against Real Salt Lake on March 22 also resulted from multiple bookings.
The hosts still applied pressure for a leveler, coming closest when Anders Dreyer forced Drake Callendar into a leaping save late in second-half stoppage time.
In a captivating Group One spectacle, Idle Flyer has overshadowed a highly competitive field, handing trainer Matthew Smith his second Queen Of The Turf Stakes success.
The pace-setting Pride Of Jenni rolled freely as predicted, pulling the pack apart for a demanding 1600-metre affair.
Zac Lloyd kept Idle Flyer poised in fourth, and as Lady Shenandoah mounted her bid to catch the frontrunner for second, Lloyd timed his move perfectly to score by three-quarters of a length.
Treasurethe Moment filled third, three-quarters farther adrift, prompting Smith to reflect that a feature win over The Championships made his early alarms and long shifts rewarding.
Advertisement
“It’s what you get up in the mornings for. It means everything,” Smith said.
“I just can’t believe she’s won. I knew she was going good, but I didn’t think she’d win that. We’ll take it.”
Oct 25, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq (18) warms up before a game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Autzen Stadium. The Ducks are wearing uniforms celebrating the Grateful Dead. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
There is no such thing as a “sure thing,” whether you’re talking about gambling or the NFL Draft. A horse race begins with a guess about the winner, and in a few minutes, you have confirmation.
When it comes to the draft, you may not know if a player is a winner or a bust until years later. Some get labels prematurely all the time. On draft day, teams can only do the best with the information they have from the combine and what they see on film.
These Top Prospects Could Force Minnesota’s Hand on Draft Night
With that knowledge in hand, there will be players that teams can’t pass on, no matter the need to shore up other positions. That doesn’t mean the Vikings will have the chance to draft them unless they take a tumble down the draft boards as other teams shore up positions of need. The chance is always there.
Advertisement
The argument over drafting for “position of need” versus “best player available” is a long, arduous one with no perfect answer.
The Vikings could be viewed as operating in either mode: drafting Justin Jefferson and Christian Darrisaw when they needed to fill those roles, or drafting Randy Moss and Adrian Peterson when they already had a great receiving duo in Cris Carter and Jake Reed, or a 1,000-yard rusher in Chester Taylor. The best scenario is when it fits both aspects.
Last year, there was a glut of running backs, which could allow teams to wait until later rounds to draft one. There were still some players who, if they came to their team’s draft position, would have to take, or think long and hard about passing them up.
Advertisement
There were also many players in the top end of the 2025 draft that every team had to think a bit before changing those players’ and the team’s destiny. That all made it possible for more top players to slide down draft boards and cause chaos with picks most weren’t expecting. It’s a new year, and the team has new needs. This year’s draft is top-heavy but has some good depth. So, which players should the Vikings take without thought at pick 18 and a little beyond?
Sonny Styles
LB Ohio State
Linebacker isn’t in dire need of help, but there is a definite lack of depth. Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson have been very solid at the position the last few years, with the defense struggling when Cashman was out 2 seasons ago, and Wilson was on the Packers.
When he was out in 2025, Wilson really held everything together until he got back into the lineup. Styles is more athletic than both of them and has the potential to become a player like Micah Parsons, with his speed and ferocity at the position. The term “freak” gets thrown out at some players too often, but Styles is in that realm of possibly meeting those expectations.
With Cashman’s injury history and Wilson past 30, a youthful infusion and great upside in skill would make the defense even more dangerous, with a speedy blitzer coming from any angle. He could most likely move outside on passing downs and spell Johnathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel at times. Styles can hit, tackle, and drop into coverage and never have to leave the field, no matter the down or situation. He probably won’t slip all the way to 18, but if he does, the Vikings should use a Corvette to hand in the card.
Chances: 5%
Jeremiyah Love
RB Notre Dame
Advertisement
“Running backs are a devalued position in today’s NFL.” You can’t escape that statement in the off-season. However, I don’t think it’s as strong a statement as it has been. The last great running backs that teams built around were LaDainian Tomlinson and Adrian Peterson, and it’s been about 10 years since they were viewed that way.
When the Super Bowl rolls around, it always seems the two teams have strong defenses and running backs that can keep the sticks moving. Kenneth Walker III was the MVP this year. Love may be in the vein of past running backs, with some experts saying he could be a generational player. He can do it all with the ball in his hands, whether the quarterback places it there with a handoff or a pass.
Once he gets loose, you can’t catch him, and if you do, he is hard to bring down. He also does a good job with pass protection, which head coaches love when they have a great or premier passer. Kevin O’Connell definitely rates that trait highly. Regardless of who quarterbacks the Vikings, Love would make the offense a headache for defensive coordinators.
Teaming him up with Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason gives the room depth like never before, with the trio capable of wearing the opposition down by sprinting and grinding out yardage. He has a good chance of slipping down due to his position, but there isn’t the depth of backs like last year, meaning teams will snatch them up earlier. The Vikings should ignore other positions if he is sitting there waiting to run rampant on the NFC North.
Advertisement
Chances: 50%
Carnell Tate
WR Ohio State
Do the Vikings need wide receiver depth? Do they need to take a receiver this early? On the first question, yes. The depth at receiver is questionable at best. On the second question, no, but it doesn’t hurt if the best is available. Tate is the prototypical wide receiver coming out of “THE” Ohio State: he is tall and can catch anything in his orbit.
Advertisement
Dec 6, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) scores a touchdown against the Indiana Hoosiers in the first quarter during the 2025 Big Ten championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
Adding him to Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson would make the passing game frightening should they all remain on the team. He is also immediate insurance should there be an injury, an off-field incident, or should Addison be traded or released in the future. Tate has the size, the hands, and the precise route running to put defensive backs on skates.
The only thing he lacks is top-end speed, but it doesn’t really matter. Cris Carter wasn’t known for his speed, and he seemed to do just fine in the NFL. His quickness off the line gets him in position quickly, and his athleticism to make difficult catches in and out of traffic makes him a threat all over the field. He’s fast enough. You can never have too much of a good thing, especially at the wide receiver position.
Chances: 25%
Kenyon Sadiq
TE Oregon
Advertisement
Tight end is also pretty shored up on the Vikings roster. Hockenson is back with a revised contract, and if the offensive line stays healthy, he can get back to what he does best: catch the football. Josh Oliver is known more for his blocking, but he has had solid receiving games since coming to Minnesota 2 years ago.
Ben Yurosek is a combination of the two, and I feel could be an impact player if he gets more time on the field. Sadiq is being seen as a bit of a “unicorn” at tight end with the combination of size and speed that goes with him. He can get down the field quickly, is tough to tackle, and can make athletic catches and runs if he doesn’t just bully his way through a tackle. His highlight tape has him not only running over tacklers but also hurdling their attempts.
Like Hockenson, a team could line him up outside at a wide receiver position, putting more pressure on the defense to maintain coverage. What I keep hearing is that he’s also a “willing blocker,” meaning it isn’t necessarily his strength, but he will do it and can be good enough. Whether J.J. McCarthy or Kyler Murray is at quarterback, having a tight end like him would be a godsend in targeted routes or if they need to get creative. He is a matchup nightmare for most linebackers and safeties in the league.
While this draft seems deep with tight ends, there is a significant drop from him to the next ones on the list. There’s a fair chance he will be available at the 18th pick, and the Vikings may need to pause if Sadiq and the next prospect are on the board.
Advertisement
Chances: 70%
Dillon Thieneman
S Oregon
15 years ago, the Vikings made a move back into the bottom of the first round for a safety named Harrison Smith. He was a rangy, smart, hard-hitting player on the Notre Dame squad that had few question marks coming into the draft.
Advertisement
He spent the next 14 seasons (so far?) wreaking havoc on opposing offenses in the run and pass game. Aaron Rodgers named him specifically as the one player he hated facing. Being that good and staying with one team your entire career is tough in today’s NFL. While safety isn’t seen as a high-priority position to fill, occasionally one or two players who are can’t-miss prospects garner attention in the 1st round.
Thieneman isn’t seen as the best prospect in the 2026 Draft at safety, but he’s the one most likely to be available at pick 18. Caleb Downs would be the guy if they were both sitting there. So why don’t I list him if anything is possible, and he falls to 18? This is more along the lines of taking a guy who will fill the void left by Smith, while others argue for taking a different position or player, or even trading down. In other words: don’t overthink it.
Yeah, just about every mock you see has him landing with the Vikings at 18 with just a few outliers. You know why? Because it makes sense. If he and Downs are both there at 18, I still take Thieneman because of what Lance Zierlein said in his analysis, “Thieneman is an extension of his defensive coordinator, aligning and adjusting the secondary to motion and pre-snap shifts.” Exactly like Smith with Brian Flores.
The choice would be razor thin, but this puts him over the top and could make him the higher of the two taken come draft day.
Chances: 80%
Advertisement
I’m a small-town boy with12 years in telecommunications and 13 years in radio but a lifetime as a Vikings … More about Tony Schultz
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) reacts during pregame introductions on Nov 3, 2024, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, before a matchup with the Washington Commanders. The Pro Bowl lineman brought visible energy to the field as the Giants prepared for kickoff in front of a charged home crowd. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images.
The NFL Draft is 11 days out for the Minnesota Vikings, and the second wave of weekend rumors has arrived.
Three more Vikings rumors are making the rounds as the draft gets closer.
We publish two rumor rounds each weekend, tracking the latest chatter as things pick up speed around the purple orbit. Here’s a look at Sunday’s batch.
Advertisement
Purple Weekend Chatter Swings to Defensive Line, Wide Receiver, and Running Back
A look at the Purple Rumor mill just a week and a half before the draft.
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) warms up before kickoff on Sep 26, 2024, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, preparing for game action. The Pro Bowl defender went through pregame drills as he readied himself to anchor the interior line in front of a home crowd. Mandatory Credit: Julian Guadalupe-NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
Rumor: Dexter Lawrence is for sale via trade, and the Vikings make sense as a landing spot.
Lawrence formally requested a trade this week, starting the John Harbaugh era in New York on a sour note. It didn’t take long for the trade packages to emerge,
SI.com’sWill Ragatz wrote about Minnesota as a destination, “Vikings get: DT Dexter Lawrence. Giants get: 2026 second-round pick (No. 49), 2027 fifth-round pick. The biggest barrier for the Vikings is the financial side. They’d have to do some serious cap maneuvering to add Lawrence’s contract and give him a raise to top-of-the-market DT money.”
Advertisement
“The only way it really works is if they end up trading Greenard in a separate deal, which would free up some cap space and also presumably get them a new second-round pick. Lawrence may be a better fit within the Vikings’ current roster construction, but the easier move would be to simply pay Greenard instead of executing two different major trades.”
VikingsTerritory offered this alternative on Twitter (X), a proposal quickly panned by Giants fans as outrageous.
Giants Get — No. 18 No. 82
Vikings Get — Dexter Lawrence No. 37
Advertisement
Regardless, the idea is out there. The Vikings just offloaded two of their starting DTs in Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. A team that did that should at least be mentioned in the Lawrence trade sweepstakes.
Rumor: Stefon Diggs, a free agent, should realize Minnesota is his best landing spot.
Diggs is available on the open market, and he was finally linked to the Vikings this week.
CBS Sports‘ Garrett Podell explained the fit, “Diggs’ legal trouble is likely why he remains available. He pleaded not guilty to felony strangulation and other criminal charges following an alleged assault of his personal chef. Diggs’ attorney, Mitchell Schuster, claims his client is ‘completely innocent.’”
Advertisement
“If Diggs’ legal process is resolved, a homecoming to the Minnesota Vikings makes plenty of sense. Jalen Nailor departed for the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency, so there’s an opening at Minnesota’s WR3 spot after 2022 NFL Offensive Player of the Year Justin Jefferson and former first-round pick Jordan Addison.”
Houston Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs (1) walks along the sideline on Oct 27, 2024, at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, ahead of a game against the Indianapolis Colts. Diggs stayed focused during pregame moments as he prepared to lead the Texans’ passing attack in a divisional matchup. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images.
Diggs left Minnesota six years ago but remains a keynote figure in the franchise’s lore because of his role in the Minneapolis Miracle of 2017 (2018).
Podell added, “Kevin O’Connell wasn’t the coach in Minnesota when Diggs departed to the Buffalo Bills via a 2020 trade request, and he needs to get Minnesota back to the playoffs in 2026 after a disastrous 2025 with J.J. McCarthy at quarterback. Providing Kyler Murray with three high-caliber wideouts would certainly be helpful toward that cause.”
“Plus, Diggs wouldn’t have to work as hard to get open as he ages playing alongside Jefferson and company. Ideal landing spot: Minnesota Vikings.”
If Minnesota does not leave the draft with a serious WR3 candidate, expect Diggs rumors to pick up further.
Advertisement
Rumor: The Vikings could trade for Dolphins RB De’Von Achane.
Fox Sports‘ Ralph Vacchiano rolled out one trade idea per franchise week, and according to him, it’s Achane to the Vikings.
He explained the swap, “Acquire: RB De’Von Achane from the Miami Dolphins. Cost: 2026 third-round pick (82nd), fifth-round pick (163rd). The Vikings brought back Aaron Jones, but he’s 31 and constantly battling injuries. And while he’s a good receiver out of the backfield, Achane is a great one, a much faster and more dynamic player overall and seven years younger (24).”
“The Dolphins say they want to keep him after he ran for 1,350 yards and caught 67 passes for 488 yards last season. But they have the look of a team undergoing a fire sale, so surely they have their price. Achane will need a contract extension, so maybe a third-round pick and change will do it. The Dolphins would be crazy to say no for a second-rounder.”
Advertisement
Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane (28) carries the ball on Dec 29, 2024, at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio, as Browns safety Grant Delpit (9) wraps him up during first-quarter action. Achane fought through contact while pushing forward in a physical matchup on the road. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images.
Achane skipped the Dolphins’ voluntary workouts this week, setting the stage for a summer holdout if no extension is met.
And remember: the Vikings now employ Achane’s offensive coordinator from the last three seasons: Frank Smith.
Trainer William Haggas from Newmarket is mounting a British challenge, entering Dubai Honour and Caviar Heights in the $5 million Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick.
Both horses tackle Saturday’s flagship race, key to The Championships, extending Haggas’s strong Aussie legacy.
Off a gritty second behind Aeliana in the Tancred Stakes (2400m), Dubai Honour led long before fading near the finish.
At 2000m for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, he’s in the mix, Tom Marquand sticking on from barrier five of eight.
Advertisement
Marquand led in Tancred but James McDonald on Aeliana surged perfectly to claim it on the line.
Blinkers are coming for Dubai Honour’s sharpening in the repeat.
“Hopefully they’ll sharpen him up,’’ said travelling assistant trainer Issy Paul.
“He’s an older horse now and was bounced out of his run, but I’m happy where he’s at so we’ll give it a good crack.”
Advertisement
“He’s a phenomenal horse, he rarely runs a bad race ever and we’ve got him in a really good place.”
Paul highlighted weather and rivals as factors.
“Sometimes the ground might not suit them, and it’s looking like a quick track on Saturday, but you can’t duck and dive. We’ve flown halfway across the world and it’s important we run.”
Dubai Honour hunts sixth elite win from 36 goes: 10-12-2, close to $10m in earnings.
Advertisement
Caviar Heights, Haggas’s $125 hope, showed promise with a placing in Neville Sellwood Stakes debut here.
The Sea The Stars five-year-old has Zac Lloyd from gate four, beside stablemate.
Foreign raiders heighten drama around perfect Autumn Glow.
$1.45 favourite trained by Chris Waller, James McDonald up, barrier two for win 12 straight.
Advertisement
Steve McMahon, Australian Turf Club interim CEO, described the moment.
“History isn’t something you watch later. It’s something you show up for,” McMahon said.
“This week at Royal Randwick, Autumn Glow chases her place in racing folklore. Be there. Feel it. Be part of it.”
“Racegoers are starting to embrace Autumn Glow like none other since Winx, and she can create her own history on Saturday if she remains unbeaten.”
The fight was set up between second-ranked Prochazka and third-ranked Ulberg after former champion Alex Pereira vacated the title to move up to heavyweight.
With 31 finishes from 39 fights, Prochazka is regarded as one of the most exciting fighters in the UFC and went into the contest as the favourite.
Ulberg, meanwhile, who grew up in foster homes before transitioning to martial arts after a spell in rugby league, earned the opportunity after knocking out former title challenger Dominick Reyes in September.
Fan favourite Prochazka was serenaded by “let’s go Jiri” chants in the early stages, as Ulberg attacked with leg kicks.
Advertisement
But Ulberg was soon in difficulties with his knee following an awkward landing while falling backwards.
Prochazka appeared to invite Ulberg to stand and trade blows, with the New Zealander ignoring the offer.
With Ulberg backing up against the cage, Prochazka stepped in while throwing punches but was caught by a flush counter left hook.
With fans at octagon-side on their feet in shock and excitement, Ulberg then pounced on the fallen Prochazka to reign down punches as the referee stopped the fight.
Advertisement
UFC president Dana White said in his post-fight news conference that the injury could be Ulberg’s anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), while commentator Daniel Cormier said Prochazka would have won had the fight gone past the first round.
“If he went to his corner, this fight would have been done. His knee is blown out, he can’t even stand,” said Cormier.
The UFC will be hoping Ulberg’s injury is not serious, with ACL tears usually taking more than nine months to heal fully following surgery.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login