Heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, most analysts predicted that the Minnesota Vikings would select Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman with the 18th overall selection in the first round. Of course, the Vikings did not perform as expected, instead selecting Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks in the first round.
The Vikings did not address the safety position until the third round, and they selected nine players overall, the most since 2022. Nevertheless, many analysts felt that Minnesota's first selection was a reach, given that Banks had multiple foot surgeries and was limited to only three games last season.
Banks was projected as a second-round selection, but the Vikings feel he has the talent to be worthy of a first-round selection. If healthy, they may be right.
Still others, prefer athleticDan Brugler feels like the Vikings had one of the worst draft classes in the NFL this year, finishing 29th out of 32 teams.
- DT Caleb Banks - 18th overall
- LB Jake Golde - 51st overall
- DT Domonique Orange - 82nd overall
- OT Caleb Tiernan - 97th overall
- S. Jacobe Thomas - 98th overall
- FB/TE Max Bredesen – 159th overall
- CB Charles Demings - 163rd overall
- RB Demand Claiborne - 198th overall
- IOL Gavin Gerhart – 235th overall
However, it was not all bad. Brugler said that Cincinnati linebacker Jake Golde was his "favorite choice", believing he had a chance to make an immediate impact in the Vikings' Brian Flores-led defense.
Brugler said fifth-round cornerback Charles Demings could "surprise" during his NFL career, adding that the prospect "leaves everything he has on the field." Overall, Brugler felt Demings was a "worthy bet" for the fifth round.
Although he's certainly a fan of Gould and Demings, Brugler clearly didn't think much of the Vikings' draft class as a whole.
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