Random Draft Thoughts

[supafreak84]

Just a few thoughts now that I'm looking at the draft more;

- I still firmly believe (unless we trade down) that the first pick is either a receiver or Peter Woods. When I look at this thing and how it's played out this offseason, there is zero chance Kevin OConnell gets caught with his pants down at receiver when he wants to run a ton of multiple receiver formations and throw the ball all over the yard. We lost Nailor, Felton didn't see the field last year, and the cupboard is literally bare behind him. Nevermind that Addison is one bad offseason decision from missing half the year on suspension. There are a trio of receivers projected in that general area that are worth the pick in Jordyn Tyson (who is tremendous but injury concerns), Omar Cooper (Deebo Samuel type), and Denzel Boston (who has drawn Mike Evans comparisons). We were 28th in passing offense last year and loading the cupboard at receiver in an offense where we run multiple receiver formations and gives whomever we have at quarterback the best chance to be successful just makes sense. 

- I think Peter Woods is the most Flores-type lineman in this draft and to me, defensive line is a massive need. 

- We signed a corner this offseason and to me, with the way Flores operates, that takes corner off the board as a first round need. 

- Safety. Even if Smith doesn't return, I feel pretty good going into next year with Mettelus, Jackson and Jay Ward. I still think the longer it goes without hearing anything definitive on Smith, the higher the likelihood the Hitman is back. Safety would still be a need....but not a likely first round need in my opinion.

I'd be pretty happy with something like;

1. Jordyn Tyson, WR
2. Jacob Rodriguez, LB 
3. LT Overton, DT
3. Jalen Kilgore, S/CB

[StickierBuns]

Who here would be happy with Thieneman in round 1, RB Jadarian Price in round 2, and center Connor Lew and WRer Ted Hurst in round 3? That's what Matt Miller at ESPN just mocked out for the Vikings. IMO, I'd love the shit out of that. Doesn't cover every need but comes pretty damn close.

[Montana Tom]

Connor Lew is a versatile Auburn center prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft, known for intelligence, leadership, and strong fundamentals, though recovering from an ACL injury.
College Career and Background
Connor Lew grew up in Kennesaw, Georgia, excelling in football and wrestling at Kennesaw Mountain High School while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. A four-star recruit, he was rated a top-10 interior line prospect nationally and earned all-state honors and an All-American Bowl invite. At Auburn, Lew became the starting center midway through his freshman season in 2023, earning SEC Freshman of the Week, All-Freshman, and Freshman All-America honors. He started 29 games over three seasons, totaling 1,603 snaps, allowing only three sacks and drawing eight penalties. His sophomore year included 12 starts, a PFF Team of the Week nod, captaincy, and a Rimington Trophy watch list spot.

Physical Attributes
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 303 lbs
Build: Thick lower half, strong hands, functional strength, NFL-ready interior lineman frame
Athleticism: Good foot quickness, core strength, and ability to climb to the second level

Skills and Strengths
Versatility: Can play center and guard, handling multiple interior positions
Pass Protection: Excellent pre-snap processor, identifies stunts, twists, and blitzes; shows patience, balance, and leverage
Run Blocking: Generates movement at the point of attack, executes combo blocks, climbs to linebackers efficiently, and finishes with physicality
Leadership and Intelligence: Team captain, demonstrates toughness, awareness, and strong football IQ
Technique: Strong hands, core, and hip roll from wrestling background; consistent in re-leveraging hands and maintaining leverage

Review from SI.com:
Connor Lew 2026 NFL Draft Prospect Profile, Grades, Rank, Measurements

The Tigers center is a top prospect for the 2026 NFL draft, and here's everything you need to know about him.

Auburn's center Connor Lew is one of the top center prospects in this draft class and is still very young as a true junior entering the NFL. Lew has plenty of room to grow and has intangibles that make his ceiling very high in the right offensive scheme.

Lew arrived at Auburn as a four star recruit out of the state of Georgia. He took over the starting center role on Auburn's offensive line midway through his freshman season. Lew had a phenomenal sophomore season that had many draft analysts penciling him in as a potential first round pick in this upcoming draft.

Auburn lost multiple starters on the offensive line and Lew did not have the expected leap of a season that analysts were projecting. Unfortunately, Lew ended up tearing his ACL in October during a week eight contest against Missouri.

The injury Lew sustained means with the best time table for recovery, he would not be ready for football activities until some time during training camp. The injury timeline complicates Lew's arrival in the NFL. He likely will be rushed if he is trying to compete as a day one starter. Lew also will not turn 21 until the end of preseason and will need to get stronger to prepare for NFL defensive lineman

Lew may face a tough hill to climb in order to play early in his rookie season but he does have traits that will get him into the lineup sooner rather than later health permitting. Some lineman have what can only be described as jedi powers. They can see things before they happen and can see through the traffic and chaos. Lew regularly displays this ability to see stunts, twists, blitzes and second level defenders crashing through rush lanes.

Measurables
Name: Conner Lew
Height/weight/class: 6'3 303lbs, center, Junior
Awards: 2023 SEC All-Freshman team

What Connor Lew does well
Phenomenal vision and ability to see and feel games and stunts
Good athlete and shows ability to climb to second level defenders very well
Able to reach wide 3 technique defensive tackles on outside zone run blocks

Where Connor Lew can improve
Needs to get stronger, his age plays a factor given he has been playing SEC competition since he was 18 years old but an NFL weight training program will be crucial for his development
Needs to improve his strike timing and variance, defensive lineman were able to start dial in his timing as games progressed
Grade, position rank, expected draft round
Grade: B
Position rank: #2 Center
Expected draft round: Third

Summary
Connor Lew would likely go higher had he not sustained a torn ACL in October. He has high level traits and in the right system, he can be a top tier starter in the NFL. He progression and growth will be critical to watch through training camp and as he regains his strength.

Weaknesses and Concerns
Injury History: Tore ACL in October 2025, limiting junior season to seven games; recovery timeline may delay NFL readiness
Frame Development: Needs to continue filling out his frame and improve leg drive for certain run-blocking scenarios
Consistency: Average drive blocking and footwork in wide zone schemes; can overset in pass protection, creating vulnerabilities

Draft Projection
Connor Lew is projected as a late Day 2 to early Day 3 pick, depending on pre-draft testing, continued development, and health status. He is considered a high-floor interior lineman with starter potential, particularly in systems valuing versatility, intelligence, and physical consistency. While his ACL recovery may delay immediate impact, his leadership, technique, and football IQ make him a promising developmental prospect.

Summary
Connor Lew combines intelligence, versatility, and technical skill with a strong foundation in both run and pass blocking. His ACL injury is a key consideration for NFL teams, but his youth, leadership, and high ceiling make him an intriguing prospect for teams seeking a reliable interior offensive lineman with starter potential.

[supafreak84]

Who here would be happy with Thieneman in round 1, RB Jadarian Price in round 2, and center Connor Lew and WRer Ted Hurst in round 3? That's what Matt Miller at ESPN just mocked out for the Vikings. IMO, I'd love the shit out of that. Doesn't cover every need but comes pretty damn close.

I can almost guarantee one of those top picks will be a defensive tackle..That is by far our weakest overall unit..

[MaroonBells]

Jordyn Tyson is my favorite receiver in the draft, but his injury history is mind boggling. I don't typically care that much about injury histories, but he still has lingering hammy issues that forced him to miss three games last year. He was unable to run at the combine or his pro day...and still hasn't. We'll take a WR to compete with Felton, but I think it's more likely we do that later in the draft. 

Lately, I've been attracted to the idea of fixing our DL by going back-to-back DLs in rounds one and two. Faulk and Hunter, Woods and Banks, McDonald and Halton, or any combo thereof.

[medaille]

I think we’re planning to resign Addison. I don’t think we’ll bring in a first round receiver, but we’ll draft one to compete with Felton and maybe bring someone like Hopkins in if it’s looking pretty bleak going into training camp.

My money would be on DT and S for the first. I think we’re pretty desperate at both positions and impact players will be there for us to take. I don’t think Metellus/Jackson/Ward is an acceptable lineup as didn’t one of them get significant snaps taken away from him due midseason? I think there will be some discussion on what’s more important to bolster? Defense, they carried the team last year but lost a lot of talent or Offense who KOC needs to get back up to snuff, but in the end I think we’ll be focusing on defense, just because the offense is already so heavily invested in and Flores can do more with less, and we need to make sure he is past the minimum acceptable level of talent.

I think a pretty ideal draft, from the teams perspective, is going to be something DT/S, S/DT, and then RB/C/WRorTE with our next 3 picks

[Montana Tom]

Don't assume the Vikings are going DT in early rounds of the draft.
Two signings from the CFL are intriguing...With Jalen Hutchings, I suspect they are looking for the next Jalen Redmond.

Jalen Hutchings (DT) started 17 games for the CFL's Calgary Stampeders during the 2025 season and led all CFL defensive tackles with 8.0 sacks. He also had 39 defensive tackles, including three for loss, a forced fumble and fumble recovery. He was one of three Calgary Stampeders voted to the 2025 All-Canadian Football League Team. Hutchings previously spent time in the NFL with the Chicago Bears during the 2024 preseason. A native of Forney, Texas, Hutchings played college football at Texas Tech from 2018-23.

Jacob Roberts (LB), who appeared in 18 games for the CFL's Calgary Stampeders in 2025, recorded 97 defensive tackles, 19 special teams tackles, 4.0 sacks and forced one fumble. During the 2024 season with the team, he logged four 14 total tackles (four defensive and 10 special teams) in six games played. Roberts began his collegiate career at North Carolina A&T State University before transferring to Wake Forest for his senior season in 2023.

Just remember this...the Vikings signed Joe Kapp from the CFL.

[purplefaithful]

I get the religion re; a WR early...I think another WR is likely, 1st or 2nd rd would surprise me.

DL + S are just too big a need imo to ignore early.

Rb is a bigger need then most here believe and I would not be surprised (if the right one is there) it's a rd2 or 3 pick.

C. Banks and Tyson injury history is as scary as Halloween 1 the movie.

S, DL, RB, ILB, C are all needs....I would love Rodriguez in rd2!!!

[pattersaur]

I think a pretty ideal draft, from the teams perspective, is going to be something DT/S, S/DT, and then RB/C/WRorTE with our next 3 picks

I've kinda stopped trying to guess what Whoever Is Currently Running The Vikings is going to do, but personally I like this a lot. Might add even another defender. In a perfect world where our targets are on the board, I'd be thrilled to see something like:

1st- DT/S/CB
2nd- DT/S/CB
3rd- BPA Offense
3rd- BPA Defense
5th-7th BPA

I know our defense was good last year and I know our DC is good too. But our defense is lacking ascending talent at many spots. Our defense also has a troubled recent history of regressing hard every other season. I'd love to see the team do everything they can to prevent that from happening in 2026. The offense is such a star-studded WTF right now that I would not invest a ton more resources into that unit until I was confident in what the end-product will actually look like.

[supafreak84]

I just think if OConnell is going down, he's not going down with his side of the ball struggling like they did last season which further leads me to believe (especially with him now in control) that the pick is likely going to be a playmaker on offense