Instead of entering with limited capital, the team has positioned itself with multiple selections across the first three rounds, including a mid–first-round pick that could become a cornerstone addition.

With four picks inside the top 100, the front office has a rare opportunity to address several needs without overcommitting to one single move. There’s also a broader sense of transition surrounding the franchise.

Which picks do the Vikings have in the 2026 NFL Draft?

The Minnesota Vikings have 9 total selections in the 2026 NFL Draft. That total places them right in the league’s average range, but the structure of those picks is what makes their situation particularly interesting.

They own four selections within the top 100 (No. 18, 49, 82 and 97 overall), giving them multiple opportunities to land immediate-impact players early. Their draft profile combines early-round quality with late-round volume:

• Round 1: No. 18
• Round 2: No. 49
• Round 3: No. 82
• Round 3: No. 97 (compensatory pick)
• Round 5: No. 163 (from Eagles)
• Round 6: No. 196 (from Colts)
• Round 7: No. 234
• Round 7: No. 235 (from Panthers)
• Round 7: No. 244 (from Texans)

One of the most notable aspects of this draft class is the lack of a fourth-round pick, which was moved in prior trades. However, they compensated by adding extra selections later in the draft, including multiple seventh-rounders acquired through deals with other teams.

The additional third-round pick (No. 97 overall) comes via the NFL’s compensatory formula, awarded after player departures in free agency. These picks often play a key role in roster construction, as teams can find starting-caliber talent without spending premium draft capital.

What are the Vikings’ biggest needs?

The Minnesota Vikings’ biggest needs heading into the 2026 NFL Draft include center, cornerback depth and overall roster depth on defense. The most pressing issue comes on the offensive line, specifically at center.

Beyond the interior line, the secondary remains a concern. Even after reshaping the cornerback room in recent offseason moves, the Minnesota Vikings still lack depth behind their starters.

ESPN analysis highlights that the team struggled to generate turnovers, finishing with just eight interceptions, while also lacking reliable backup options at corner. Defensively, there are broader depth issues across multiple positions.

They could target help at defensive line, safety and linebacker, especially in Brian Flores’ aggressive scheme that relies on versatility and depth. Altogether, this draft is less about one single hole and more about reinforcing several key areas.

Who could the Vikings target in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft?

The Vikings could target a cornerback, offensive lineman or defensive playmaker with their first-round pick. At No. 18 overall, they are projected to be in a range where multiple positional needs intersect with value.

Cornerback is one of the most commonly mocked positions. Prospects with strong ball skills and coverage ability—such as LSU’s Mansoor Delane—have been linked to them in projections, given their need for playmakers in the secondary.

The offensive line is another strong possibility. With center emerging as a top priority, they could look to secure a long-term solution in the middle of their line. While interior linemen are not always first-round picks, the importance of stabilizing the offense could push them in that direction if a top prospect is available.

There’s also the “best player available” scenario. According to insights from NFL and team-driven mock draft trackers, positions like wide receiver, defensive line and safety have consistently appeared in early projections for Minnesota.

“We wanted to be patient and allow Carson to see what opportunities might be out there, but at the same time, Carson knew very on early in offseason, regardless what other moves or move we made in that room, that we wanted him back,” O’Connell said at the NFL owners meetings. “He loved being in Minnesota. He loves our fan base. He loves getting to wear the purple and gold.“

A shoulder injury brought Wentz’s 2025 season with the Vikings to an end. Despite that, he managed to complete 110-of-169 passes (65.1%) for 1,216 yards, six touchdowns, and five interceptions across five starts.

The veteran will be one of four members of a crowded QB room for Minnesota this season. Can Carson Wentz earn the starting job, or will he serve as the experienced primary backup for Kevin O’Connell?

QBs must raise the level of the Vikings

The arrival of Kyler Murray and the previously mentioned return of Carson Wentz serve a clear purpose for Kevin O’Connell. The head coach believes this position must raise the bar for the rest of the team.

“We’ve played three guys in one year. We’ve played four in another. We just feel like having the ability to get quality quarterback play throughout the circumstances we do not control throughout the season gives our team pretty historic data that says if we get quarterback play to a certain line, we win a lot of football games,” he started.

“So we wanted to ensure we are able to do that, but also make it a very, very competitive room and that’s regardless of who’s taking reps with what group. We want the quarterback position to elevate our team, and with the talent we have around that position, we feel pretty good about it also working vice versa the other way around.”

The Minnesota Vikings QB room

With a mix of experience and young talent, the Minnesota Vikings have an intriguing quarterback group to head into the 2026 NFL season:

• Kyler Murray
• Carson Wentz
• J.J. McCarthy
• Max Brosmer

Confirmed rivals for Minnesota

Building strength in the NFC North

The Minnesota Vikings enter the 2026 season looking to capitalize on the momentum of their 5-0 finish to last year. Despite a rocky 4-8 start, the team rallied to a 9–8 overall record, finishing with a strong 4–2 record within the NFC North.

While the division remains a “bloodbath” with the Bears and Packers as heavy favorites, the addition of key players provide a significant boost to an offense that struggled with inconsistency in 2025. If Brian Flores’ defense can maintain its top-10 form, Minnesota has a legitimate shot at unseating Chicago for the divisional crown.

Hence, all eyes are on JJ McCarthy’s situation. In fact, after re-signing Wentz, many thought McCarthy’s future was sealed. Per Kevin Seifert of ESPN, the re-signing of Wentz “doesn’t move the needle on whether the team ultimately moves on from J.J. McCarthy. It’s about avoiding the depth emergencies.”

Hence, extrapolating the report, the pecking order will remain with McCarthy over Wentz, though it is speculated that Kyler Murray will be the one under center if all three signal-callers are healthy.

How did Wentz do last season?

Wentz had his chance after McCarthy suffered injuries last season. He ended up starting five games, where the team went 2-3. Still, he looked arguably better than McCarthy. Wentz season even played through a shoulder injury that ended up being a season-ending affair.

Wentz completed 65.1% of his passes for 1,216 yards, six touchdowns and five intereceptions. He had a way better completion percentage than McCarthy, and only 416 yards less despite playing five less games.

Murray should easily distance himself during the preseason

Murray also played just five games last season and had a 2-3 record. However, he had a 68.3 completion percentage, though for only 962 yards, six touchdowns to three picks. Still, he is by far the most talented of the three.

Murray was a first overall pick, and while his career hasn’t been what was expected, he has an educated arm, a well-polished skill set, and a dual-threat capability. Also, he is in his prime athletic years. McCarthy is too raw, and Wentz too old.

“Veteran QB Carson Wentz is re-signing with the Vikings, sources tell The Insiders. So Minnesota’s QB room now features three former top-10 picks: Kyler Murray, J.J. McCarthy and Wentz, who played well last season before a shoulder injury.”

Head coach Kevin O’Connell appears to have a roster that is just one QB away from being a Super Bowl contender. After letting go of names like Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones, he can’t afford to miss anymore.

Who will be Vikings starting QB in 2026?

Kyler Murray would be the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings in 2026, although an open competition with J.J. McCarthy is currently expected. In this scenario, Carson Wentz would be an experienced option in case of emergency.

J.J. McCarthy’s future with Vikings

What’s interesting about Carson Wentz in Minnesota is that, as was the case with Murray, it would signal a lack of confidence in J.J. McCarthy. Insider Alec Lewis revealed that in 2025, the Vikings believed Wentz could take them to the playoffs before his injury.

“Carson Wentz, back in Minnesota. The Vikings have rounded out the QB room the way they wanted to. Wentz had a lot of fans internally — many believed they might’ve snuck in playoffs had he stayed healthy.”

Since last year, many rumors linked Rodgers to Minnesota because of his good relationship with head coach Kevin O’Connell. After Matthew Stafford decided to return to the Rams, the Vikings became a very attractive option for the QB with an offense led by Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.

However, O’Connell decided to trust J.J. McCarthy, letting Sam Darnold go. In the end, that bet did not work out. Therefore, in 2026, the Vikings would look for a veteran to create competition. The door was open for Rodgers.

Vikings are no longer an option for Aaron Rodgers

The problem for Aaron Rodgers is that the Vikings have already decided that Kyler Murray is the player they want to boost the quarterback position. After being released by the Arizona Cardinals, many experts say he is on track to be the QB1 ahead of McCarthy.

What’s next for Aaron Rodgers?

This decision by the Minnesota Vikings has left Aaron Rodgers in a very clear scenario: Steelers or retirement. Mike McCarthy has said that he has already spoken several times with the quarterback, but the player also mentioned that there has been no real progress in the contract talks.

Across the league, there don’t seem to be any other options for Rodgers at the moment. There is no Super Bowl contender with a QB vacancy, like the Vikings had in 2025, so if Aaron truly wants one last chance, everything points to it being in Pittsburgh.

The no-tag clause means Murray cannot be franchise tagged by Minnesota. In other words, Murray is guaranteed to either become an unrestricted free agent in 2027 or be handed a lucrative contract by the Vikings. That is, of course, provided he puts on a strong production in the 2026 NFL campaign.

While much has been speculated about Murray and his playing style, it’s clear as day that him and his agent have done their due diligence. When it comes to his contract, Murray has knocked it out of the park. It’s only fitting as the former Heisman trophy winner and first overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft was also a top-10 pick in the 2018 MLB Draft.

Murray got himself a great contract

It’s hardly a secret in the NFL: quarterbacks are getting paid from left to right. Though gutted about his exit from the Cardinals, Murray knows better than to cry over spilled milk. Thus, as soon as he became an unrestricted free agent, he made sure to find the best possible contract. Moreover, signing with the Vikings puts him in a great spot to compete for a starting job.

With UFA Carson Wentz trending toward signing elsewhere and Max Brosmer looking like anything but a finished product in his eight career appearances, the Vikings’ depth chart has J.J. McCarthy and Murray competing for the QB1 role.

If Murray can come away with the job, the supporting cast—featuring Justin Jefferson, T. J. Hockenson, Jordan Addison, Aaron Jones, and Jordan Mason—can help him reconnect with his best football. Murray could take it from there.

Minnesota can’t afford another misstep

Thanks to the reported clause in his contract, Minnesota will face two options: pay a hefty price to re-sign him or let him walk as a UFA. If the Vikings know one thing, it is that they cannot be the stepping stone for another reborn quarterback.

Sam Darnold went on to win a Super Bowl just one year after they let him walk. As unlikely as it may seem now, Murray could repeat that story, and Minnesota cannot afford to be on the wrong end of history once again.

The depth chart now has McCarthy, but Murray comes in to fill the place of Carson Wentz, who departed the team. Third-tier Max Brosmer is still on the roster, but he will be relegated in the pecking order. John Wolford also departed the team.

For Murray, this is almost an ultimatum. If he can’t beat McCarthy for the starting job, his days as a QB1 in the NFL are all but done. After all, Arizona preferred to deal with Jacoby Brissett, than continue to trust Murray.

JJ McCarthy is also facing huge pressure

McCarthy was a first-round pick in 2024, but he suffered a season-ending knee injury before he could ever step foot in the gridiron. During his sophomore season, McCarthy didn’t impress, and also missed time with plenty of other injuries. He almost lost his job to Carson Wentz, but Wentz also got injured.

McCarthy came into the league with plenty of hype after guiding Michigan to a College Football National Championship. In 2025 where he played just 10 games, had a 6-4 record, completed a dysmal 57.6% of his passes for only 1632 yards and had 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Hence, the Vikings opted to go for a more experienced guy under center. It’s a serious message for McCarthy, who was very underwhelming.

Kevin O’Connell has proven to be a wonderful HC to revive QBs

A change of scenery might be just what Kyler Murray needed. After all, he is going to play for Kevin O’Connell, an offensive mastermind who revived the career of Sam Darnold. Not only that, Murray will have a top-tier WR corp with the likes of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison to make life easier for him. His only task is beating JJ McCarthy for the starting position.

According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, the situation could develop quickly depending on how the meeting goes. “Former Cardinals QB Kyler Murray will visit Thursday with the Minnesota Vikings, as John Gambadoro also reported. The belief across the league is that the Vikings are Murray’s likely landing spot.”

If the visit goes well, the Vikings could suddenly find themselves at the center of a huge storyline in the NFL. Murray remains one of the most talented dual-threat quarterbacks available, and Minnesota could see him as a potential solution as they try to return to be a Super Bowl contender. However, that could send a message of lack of trust to J.J. McCarthy.

Who will be Vikings starting quarterback in 2026?

At this moment, the answer could come down to an open competition between J.J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray if the former Cardinals quarterback ultimately signs with Minnesota. McCarthy is still viewed as a long-term project with significant upside, but Murray’s experience would immediately create a legitimate battle for the QB1 role.

It would also be difficult to imagine Murray agreeing to sign with the Vikings without having a real opportunity to win the starting job. A quarterback of his caliber is unlikely to accept a purely backup role, meaning Minnesota would likely frame the situation as a true competition during training camp.

The Vikings are already facing criticism around the league after two major quarterback decisions backfired. The team allowed Sam Darnold to walk and then he went on to win a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks. Then, Minnesota also moved on from Daniel Jones, who just signed a massive extension with the Indianapolis Colts. Those moves have increased the pressure.

The Raiders’ depth chart would currently feature Nailor as the only player listed in the slot receiver category, while the other four receivers on the roster remain in their respective spots on the chart.

“Raiders have agreed to terms with WR Jalen Nailor on a three year, $35 million deal including $23 million guaranteed, per Ken Sarnoff and Joe DiBenedetto of 1 Of 1 Agency,” Adam Schefter wrote on X.

Left Wide Receivers: Jack Bech, Dont’e Thornton Jr.
Right Wide Receivers: Tre Tucker, Shedrick Jackson
Slot Wide Receiver: Jalen Nailor

What benefits could Nailor bring to the Raiders’ depth chart?

It’s not just the four years of experience he gained during his time with the Vikings, where he earned $3.8 million over his years of service, but also the fact that he has playoff experience. While he hasn’t made a deep postseason run, he still has two playoff appearances with 33 receiving yards in the postseason.

Over the last two seasons, despite playing primarily as a slot receiver, Nailor appeared in 17 games in each year. The 2025 NFL season was his most productive in terms of receiving yards, finishing with 444, although he recorded only four touchdowns, two fewer than he had in 2024. In addition, he averaged 15.3 yards per reception in 2025, the second-best mark of his career.

With a crowded group of receivers in Minnesota, the Vikings didn’t leave much room for Nailor to see a larger role. Now, as the only slot wide receiver currently listed on the Raiders’ depth chart, his opportunities could be much greater. Of course, that will also depend on how many additional receivers Las Vegas decides to bring in before the start of the 2026 season.

According to Connor Hughes of SNYtv, “The resounding belief from multiple sources, though, is that he [Murray] will sign with the Vikings.” Hence, Murray would remain in the NFC, and if it happens, Murray would instantly put himself into a great situation to succeed.

Not only would Murray avoid going to the AFC, where the quarterbacks are stacked. In the NFC, the quarterback landscape is way better. Also, the whole situation is just good on the Vikings, despite playing in the tough NFC North.

Minnesota is the best destination for any QB looking for a team

If you are a team trying to sign a quarterback, having arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL goes a long way. But it’s not only Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison is an elite WR2 on the roster as well. The QB immediately gets put in a great situation to thrive. Murray should look at that and think it’s a no-brainer to go there.

Also, being coached by an offensive mastermind and former Coach of the Year like Kevin O’Connell is very tempting. The fact is that the team also revived Sam Darnold’s career, so if Kyler Murray thinks he has to revamp his career, this is the place to go.

Murray could thrive with the Vikings

Now that we’ve explored the Vikings side of things, what about Murray? While undersized, Murray still has some upside to offer. While considered a talented yet volatile quarterback, if Murray is in good form, he can be a very good quarterback. Also, he is a speedy player and one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the NFL.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Vikings will release (or trade, if possible), running back Aaron Jones, who is a former Pro Bowler and one of the key weapons on the team. Two-time Pro Bowler defensive tackle Javon Hargrave is also getting axed according to Schefter.

The Vikings are $43 million over the $301.2 million salary cap. By cutting Jones and Hargrave, the Vikings will create $18.65 million in cap space, says Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com. Seifert also puts DT Jonathan Allen and center Ryan Kelly on the possible chopping block.

Aaron Jones has been good for the Vikings

While 2025 saw Jones take a dip in production (largely in part due to injuries), he was still a rather good player for the Vikings. In 2024, he had over 1,500 scrimmage yards. In 2025, he had 747 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns despite missing five games.

The Vikings saw Jordan Mason take plenty of snaps and end up with 758 yards and six touchdowns. However, while it was a committee, when healthy, Jones was the starter of the team. Mason is under contract for the 2026 NFL season, so the Vikings might just trust him to take the workhorse role out of the backfield.

Hargrave was also a standout

Hargrave only played in 2025 for the Vikings, but he started 15 games. He had 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. A Pro Bowler with the Eagles and San Francisco, Hargrave is entering the twilight of his career, so at 33 years old, and commanding quite the salary hit, it’s not at all surprising the Vikings are likely to cut him.

However, according to reports, Jonathan Allen might also be cut and that would leave the team very thin on the defensive line department. With JJ McCarthy‘s future as QB1 uncertain, the Vikings might need to assess their priorities. They would also have to strengthen their defense, and there is not much cap room to operate with.