Sports
Vikings Urged to Make Aggressive Move for Premier Prospect
Because of the five-game winning streak to finish the season, the Minnesota Vikings won’t be in reach of the elite prospects in April’s Draft. Instead, they hold pick number 18. An aggressive trade-up could suddenly put Ohio State’s Caleb Downs within striking distance, whose skill set should surely intrigue the decision-makers in the Twin Cities.
Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski named his top landing spots for the elite talent in this year’s draft class, and he views the Vikings as the best destination for Downs.
He explained, “Caleb Downs is the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2026 NFL draft regardless of position, though his role does create quite the conundrum when it comes to teams considering him in this year’s top 10. Downs is every bit worthy of hearing his name called among the Nos. 3-5 selections, but the safety could benefit greatly from a draft-day slide.”
Vikings fans remember 2022 when Kyle Hamilton had comparable buzz entering draft season. He was available when the Vikings were on the clock with pick 12, but they traded out of there. Hamilton was selected at 14 by Baltimore.
Similar to Hamilton, Downs is viewed as a premier talent in the draft. The safety position isn’t viewed as valuable as edge rusher or cornerback, for example, which is why Downs could still slide into Minnesota’s draft range.
Sobleski added, “With Harrison Smith’s expected retirement announcement, the Minnesota Vikings will have a major hole to fill in their secondary after losing a defensive leader and playmaker. Downs is the top-rated prospect because he’s capable of doing everything within a defensive scheme, including serving as the primary voice to ensure everyone is aligned properly and understands their assignments.”
Indeed, safety is a need for the Vikings. Harrison Smith is expected to retire, though even if he doesn’t, a successor needs to arrive in the Twin Cities sooner rather than later. Other safeties under contract are versatile Joshua Metellus and rotational players Theo Jackson and Jay Ward. Jackson was a starter in Week 1, but was replaced later in the season by Ward.
“The Vikings employ the league’s most aggressive and complicated defensive scheme, and Downs has the skill set not only to contribute but also thrive,” Sobleski noted. “Coordinator Brian Flores can weaponize the multifunctional defensive back, with the potential for Downs to turn into a NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidate over time.”
Flores’ scheme is aggressive and layered, but instinctive and versatile players tend to thrive within it.
In three seasons (one at Alabama followed by two at Ohio State), he appeared in 44 games, logging 257 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and 6 interceptions.
“Downs can play both safety spots, function at a high level in Cover 2, drop down into the box and cover the slot. He’s considered an elite talent for a reason. Even as a possible top-10 pick, he’s not guaranteed the proper usage to become the caliber of difference-maker that he is. Maybe the Vikings make a play to move up and ensure the organization acquires the ultimate chess piece for its scheme,” Sobleski concluded.
Minnesota has been aggressive before. The front office moved up twice in the first round in 2024 — once to secure J.J. McCarthy and again to land Dallas Turner. If the board falls a certain way again, the phone could ring.
Prospects like Downs rarely align with teams picking outside the top 10. When they do, it’s often because organizations hesitate over positional value. If Minnesota views him as more than “just a safety” — as a defensive centerpiece — the calculus changes entirely.
Giving up draft capital is always risky, particularly with an aging core. However, if it lands an elite player like Downs and he actually turns out to be a real successor for Harrison Smith, nobody will care about the cost.
Dallas Turner gives the Vikings one emerging defensive cornerstone. Adding another difference-maker like Downs could accelerate the unit’s long-term outlook.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.
