2026 Free Agency and Draft: DL

[MaroonBells]

Weird that there's a Kaleb Proctor and a Kadyn Proctor in this draft, and they're not at all related. Kadyn is the 1st round OT and Kaleb is a small school DT who's estimated to go in the 4th round. 

[savannahskol]

Caleb Banks broke afoot bone at combine

https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/onsi/news...rd-pick-18

[MaroonBells]

I'm beginning to worry a little bit about our IDL. Hargrave and Allen were busts as free agents. No two ways around that. But they were also 17 game starters for us that now have to be replaced. 

Jalen Redmond is an emerging star. And even if we assume Levi Drake-Rodriguez gets one of the other positions, we still need one more, unless we're confident in either Tyrian Ingram-Dawkins or Elijah Williams. They didn't really show enough last year to justify that kind of confidence IMO. Even LDR is no given. He's played well in rotation, but his grades go down as he gets more snaps.

There's nothing left in free agency to speak of (unless you like the names Calais Camptbell or Jonathan Bullard). And there's very little in the draft. As more warts become visible on Woods and Banks, I'm seeing more and more 1st round mocks without a single IDL taken. Can we count on a day-two IDL to come in and start for us right away? Not really. We'd have to get lucky. 

What's the plan here?

[SurfnRide]

I'm beginning to worry a little bit about our IDL. Hargrave and Allen were busts as free agents. No two ways around that. But they were also 17 game starters for us that now have to be replaced. 

Jalen Redmond is an emerging star. And even if we assume Levi Drake-Rodriguez gets one of the other positions, we still need one more, unless we're confident in either Tyrian Ingram-Dawkins or Elijah Williams. They didn't really show enough last year to justify that kind of confidence IMO. Even LDR is no given. He's played well in rotation, but his grades go down as he gets more snaps.

There's nothing left in free agency to speak of (unless you like the names Calais Camptbell or Jonathan Bullard). And there's very little in the draft. As more warts become visible on Woods and Banks, I'm seeing more and more 1st round mocks without a single IDL taken. Can we count on a day-two IDL to come in and start for us right away? Not really. We'd have to get lucky. 

What's the plan here?

One of my biggest concerns also.   I really like Thieneman at 18 to replace Harry.  But after that we need to go DT Rd 2 and 1st pick rd 3 a DT also.  Try to snag Clairborne with the 2nd 3rd rd pick...

But were going to get steamrolled up the middle if we dont get some meat in there.

[purplefaithful]

I'm beginning to worry a little bit about our IDL. Hargrave and Allen were busts as free agents. No two ways around that. But they were also 17 game starters for us that now have to be replaced. 

Jalen Redmond is an emerging star. And even if we assume Levi Drake-Rodriguez gets one of the other positions, we still need one more, unless we're confident in either Tyrian Ingram-Dawkins or Elijah Williams. They didn't really show enough last year to justify that kind of confidence IMO. Even LDR is no given. He's played well in rotation, but his grades go down as he gets more snaps.

There's nothing left in free agency to speak of (unless you like the names Calais Camptbell or Jonathan Bullard). And there's very little in the draft. As more warts become visible on Woods and Banks, I'm seeing more and more 1st round mocks without a single IDL taken. Can we count on a day-two IDL to come in and start for us right away? Not really. We'd have to get lucky. 

What's the plan here?

ITs a BIG concern imo...Medaille raised similar questions in another thread too. At this point it's almost about enough bodies period. 

More and more mocks have one IDL with a rd1 grade. 

I think they are going to have to re-stock with draft and a trade. It may not get fully resolved for 26 until late in summer..Maybe Greenard for DT is the way this will have to go down. 

Sure wish Carter was on the mkt...

[MaroonBells]

Here's a guy not many Viking fans are talking about because he's most often listed as an edge. But this is no edge. He could be a 4-3 base end or 3T, or a 3-4 5T or 4i, which is where I get interested. 

Kedric Faulk, 6-6, 276 at the combine, but has played 6-6, 285. Ran a 4.73. Is currently ranked 18th on the consensus boards. 

Some more info from NFL Draft Buzz. 

"Alignment versatility allows defensive coordinators to deploy him from 5-technique, 4i, 3-technique, or even standing up on the edge, creating pre-snap confusion and matchup advantages."

[savannahskol]

Here's a guy not many Viking fans are talking about because he's most often listed as an edge. But this is no edge. He could be a 4-3 base end or 3T, or a 3-4 5T or 4i, which is where I get interested. 

Kedric Faulk, 6-6, 276 at the combine, but has played 6-6, 285. Ran a 4.73. Is currently ranked 18th on the consensus boards. 

Some more info from NFL Draft Buzz. 

"Alignment versatility allows defensive coordinators to deploy him from 5-technique, 4i, 3-technique, or even standing up on the edge, creating pre-snap confusion and matchup advantages."

Ragatz picked him in his latest mock.  

This is pretty good draft, just needs Haynes King in the sixth.  

https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/onsi/news...e=v_recirc

[purplefaithful]

Ragatz picked him in his latest mock.  

This is pretty good draft, just needs Haynes King in the sixth.  

https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/onsi/news...e=v_recirc

I'd like to see us find an athletic TE in this draft....

This mock waits way too long to acquire a S. 

Faulk is an interesting pick, probably wouldnt help much Yr1 though. I think I'd rather go Thieneman Rd1 if he was there.