The Minnesota Vikings Enter the 2026 NFL Draft With Nine Picks and Clear Priorities The Minnesota Vikings are set to participate in the 2026 NFL Draft with nine total selections, beginning with the 18th overall pick in the first round. The draft will seize place over three days, starting Thursday, April 23 in Pittsburgh, with Rounds 2 and 3 on Friday and Rounds 4 through 7 on Saturday. According to verified team and league sources, the Vikings’ draft capital for 2026 includes the following picks: Round 1, 18th overall; Round 2, 49th overall; Round 3, 82nd overall; Round 3, 97th overall (awarded as a compensatory selection); Round 5, 163rd overall (acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2025 Sam Howell trade); Round 6, 196th overall (obtained from the Indianapolis Colts in the 2025 Mekhi Blackmon trade); and three seventh-round selections at 234th, 235th and 244th overall. The 235th pick came from the Carolina Panthers in the 2025 Adam Thielen trade, while the 244th selection was acquired from the Houston Texans in the 2024 Cam Akers trade. The Vikings do not hold original selections in the fourth, fifth, or sixth rounds due to prior trades. Their initial fourth-round pick was sent to the Jacksonville Jaguars in October 2024 in exchange for offensive tackle Cam Robinson. The original fifth-round selection was traded to the Carolina Panthers as part of the August 2025 deal for wide receiver Adam Thielen. The team’s initial sixth-round pick was first sent to the San Francisco 49ers in March 2025 to acquire running back Jordan Mason, after a series of intermediate trades involving the Houston Texans and offensive lineman Ed Ingram. The Vikings will host a Miller Lite Draft Party at U.S. Bank Stadium on Thursday, April 23, offering fans the opportunity to meet players and legends while watching the first round of the draft live on the field. Positionally, Minnesota’s primary needs entering the draft include center, safety, and wide receiver. The retirement of Ryan Kelly has left a void at center, with backup Michael Jurgens and converted offensive lineman Blake Brandel having seen starting action but without clear long-term solutions. At safety, the Vikings are preparing for the potential departure of veteran Harrison Smith, who at age 37 has not yet announced his retirement plans. Despite having established starters in Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, the team lacks proven depth at wide receiver following Jalen Nailor’s departure to the Las Vegas Raiders, with third-round pick Tai Felton seeing limited offensive snaps in 2025. The Vikings are entering the draft without an officially appointed general manager following the departure of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in January. Executive Vice President of Football Operations Rob Brzezinski is leading the front office during the draft process, with the team planning to initiate its search for a new general manager after the draft concludes. The 2026 NFL Draft will be broadcast nationally on ESPN, ABC, and the ESPN App, with coverage beginning at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday. The Vikings’ first selection is scheduled to occur during the first round on Thursday night.
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