As the wins continue to pile up, the Minnesota Vikings are falling down the draft rankings. They have won back-to-back games and have a good chance to win three in a row next Sunday when they take on the New York Giants. Currently, they are still being mocked as teenagers because they finished 12th in this tournament. Can the Vikings find some stars in this class? Let’s take a look.
First round, No. 12 pick: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
If the physical comes back clean, Tennessee’s Jermaine McCoy will be one of the best cornerbacks in this class. McCoy tore his ACL during a non-contact drill in January and did not play at all this season. The pre-draft process will be huge for a guy like him, but if he passes all tests, this is a sure CB1 for most NFL teams. The former SEC standout is very physical on the defensive line and has shown excellent man-marking skills, making him a perfect fit for this defense.
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Second round, pick 44: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
The Vikings immediately added two strong secondary players, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren from Toledo is another offensive back who is a great fit for a defense that needs to find the ball. McNeil-Warren can play in the zone to provide run support but is quick enough to stay connected with slot receivers. His work in the run game is one of his strengths, but he can be too aggressive in finding the right gap.
Third round, pick 76: Chris Brazzell, WR, Tennessee
For an offense staffed by a young quarterback, a tall receiver would be wise. Insert Chris Brazier from Tennessee. Brazier is projected to be in the 4.4 range, which is ridiculous for a guy his size (6-foot-5), so the pre-draft process could push him higher on draft boards. He has to work on his hands because the focus on the tape is noticeably off. But he would be a welcome addition as a red zone threat freeing up Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
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Third round, pick 97: Harold Perkins Jr., LB, LSU
Two years ago, Harold Perkins was already considered one of the top prospects in this class. However, a torn ACL and criminal abuse while at LSU caused his stock to plummet. But let’s not forget that Perkins is a freak athlete with flexibility on the defensive front. This kind of athletic guy is always worth a throw, and if this team can unlock the old Perkins, it will be an A+ draft pick.
Fifth round, pick 152: Damon Wilson II, EDGE, Missouri
The siege on SEC players continues as Damon Wilson II enters the pass rush room. His height is the most noticeable thing (6-foot-4, 34-inch arms), and he uses that to his advantage. His first step is one of the best in the class and his ability to bend his knees to get around tackles is strong. His lack of run defense skills has kept him at the plate, but he will likely be a pre-draft riser due to his speed.
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Seventh round, pick 226: Jake Slaughter, center, Florida State
The late three draft picks are struggling to find depth and players to develop. This offensive line needs some depth inside, and Jake Slaughter’s style of play fits this offense. Learning from a very solid center like Ryan Kelly for a year or two would be a great way to accelerate his development.
Round 7, Pick 230: Skyler Gill-Howard, EDGE, Texas Tech
It would be wise to try and catch players from the Red Raiders’ arch defense. This team is one of the best in college football this season. Skylar Gil Howard has not played since Oct. 4 as he underwent season-ending ankle surgery. His performance through five games this season has not been impressive, but his game could be molded into a nice rotation player over time.
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Seventh round, pick 233: Boubacar Traore, EDGE, Notre Dame
Boubacar Traore is only a redshirt sophomore, so he could declare, but I can also see the appeal of declaring since he shouldn’t be available in the seventh round. His 7.5 sacks this season are more than double his total from this time last year, and he projects to have an even better season next year. The former four-star prospect has crazy length (80-foot wingspan) and uses it well, but he blends length with strength.
Round 7, Pick 242: Keanu Tanuvasa, DT, BYU
We wrap up our draft class by adding pure beef to the interior of this defensive line. We’re banking on Tanuvasa’s physical coming back clean, but if he can reassure teams about his medical history, his raw power and crisp footwork make him a clay mold worth pursuing.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Vikings 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Minnesota focuses on DB