It’s never too early to start looking at 2026 NFL Draft prospects. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah may not be around to make the selection, but that doesn’t mean we can’t discuss the players themselves. The general manager discussion may come later, but for now, we’ll focus on any potential Vikings draft picks or players in the draft as a whole.
We’ll cover every position in the draft, but not all positions are necessarily a need for the Vikings. Of course, anything is possible for a team that, if not, gets picked up by the Vikings’ twice-yearly division rivals.
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In this report, we will discuss security. The team has the dynamic duo of Harrison Smith and Josh Metellus, but depending on how he’s dealt after Week 18, Smith may have played the final game of his career. So we want to make sure there are enough safeties available to see some players who could be future Vikings in 2026 and beyond.
With that in mind, here’s our coverage of Kansas State’s VJ Payne.
information
School: kansas
Meeting: Big 12
Height/weight: 6-3, 210 pounds.
Age at time of enlistment: not applicable
Previous school: without any
background
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2025 Big 12 Honorable Mention
Noteworthy Statistics
Tackle: 207
Ways to deal with losses: 11.5
Interception: 4
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By breaking up: 10
Notable PFF Numbers in 2025
PFF running defense rating: 69.2
PFF Coverage Level: 73.2
Allowed completion percentage: 65.4
NFL quarterbacks when targeted: 78.7
Required penalty: 2
Skill
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The right size for the location
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Movement tips to stay connected with receivers and tight ends
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Use his speed to limit defenses
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Versatile and able to line up at safety or nickel with his size
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Good ball control and tracking ability
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VJ Payne is one of my favorite safeties in the 2026 NFL Draft class. I’m always impressed anytime a safety can use his size to win a game, make a play, and then shut down an opposing offense with his speed. I think Payne’s situation right now could be a Day 2 draft pick, but with the right scheme, he has the potential to develop into a more meaningful presence on NFL defenses. Someone like Brian Flores, Dennis Allen, or Steve Spagnuolo could land him a spot on Day 1, and he might surprise people with his high-level prospects.
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This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: VJ Payne, S, Kansas State
