Andrew Buller-Russ
Heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, most analysts predicted that the Minnesota Vikings would select Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman with the 18th overall pick in the first round. Of course, the Vikings didn’t do the expected, instead selecting Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks in the first round.
The Vikings didn’t address the safety position until the third round, and they ended up selecting nine players in total, more than they had since 2022. Yet, many analysts felt like Minnesota’s first selection was a reach, considering Banks has had multiple foot surgeries and was limited to just three games last season.
Banks had been projected as a second-round pick, but the Vikings feel like he has the talent to be worthy of a first-round pick. If healthy, they may be right.
Yet, others, like The Athletic‘s Dane Brugler, feel like the Vikings had one of the worst draft classes in the NFL this year, ranking 29th out of 32 teams.
- DT Caleb Banks – 18th overall
- LB Jake Golday – 51st overall
- DT Domonique Orange – 82nd overall
- OT Caleb Tiernan – 97th overall
- S Jakobe Thomas – 98th overall
- FB/TE Max Bredeson – 159th overall
- CB Charles Demmings – 163rd overall
- RB Demond Claiborne – 198th overall
- iOL Gavin Gerhardt – 235th overall
However, it wasn’t all bad. Brugler noted that Cincinnati linebacker Jake Golday was his “favorite pick,” believing he has a chance to make an immediate impact in the Vikings’ Brian Flores-led defense.
Brugler added that fifth-round cornerback Charles Demmings “could surprise” throughout his NFL career, saying that the prospect “leaves everything he has on the field.” Overall, Brugler felt like Demmings is a “worthy bet” for the fifth round.
While he’s admittedly a fan of Golday and Demmings, Brugler clearly didn’t think much about the Vikings’ draft class as a whole.
Related: 4 Minnesota Vikings WR Targets After 2026 NFL Draft
