Best guess for what Minnesota does in round 1?

If the Vikings trade down, I think McDonald is in play, but taking a two-down player in the top 20 is a hard pill to swallow. But one can make a a pretty good argument that S and TE in the top 20 are equally as unsettling. Maybe the only thing that makes value sense is a trade down for a Faulk, McDonald, Woods. You're maximizing value and getting another day two pick to boot. Easier said than done though.

MaroonBells wrote:

If the Vikings trade down, I think McDonald is in play, but taking a two-down player in the top 20 is a hard pill to swallow. But one can make a a pretty good argument that S and TE in the top 20 are equally as unsettling. Maybe the only thing that makes value sense is a trade down for a Faulk, McDonald, Woods. You're maximizing value and getting another day two pick to boot. Easier said than done though.

I mentioned this in another thread, but their will still be OTs on the board at #19. If the Vikings don't want one, they should receive some solid trade down offers.

KC's Veach was quoted earlier in the week saying he believes there will be a bunch of trade up/down this draft. Speaks to how flat it is in spots and so few blue chippers this year.

purplefaithful wrote:

KC's Veach was quoted earlier in the week saying he believes there will be a bunch of trade up/down this draft. Speaks to how flat it is in spots and so few blue chippers this year.

I don't get worked up over this stuff because its almost always wrong. Nothing is close to reality until really tomorrow night/Thursday morning as far as rumors go and then the Draft itself is always different than what the media has forecast. Always. There'll be 2 to 3 players that will go MUCH higher in round 1 than projected as NFL GMs use their boards which obviously no one gets to see prior. And sliders slide harder than projected as well.

StickierBuns wrote:

Yeah, we'll see. I'm not great at slotting the draft prospects for depth, etc. like some other guys on the board, but I'm ok guesstimating and focusing in round 1 what Minnesota might be side-eyeing. Last year had the right spot (OG) when it wasn't trendy, now its just a gut feel on a riser that is going to be a hell of a NFL monster in the middle with some incremental upside as a pass rusher/lateral mover in McDonald. I think the safety position is deep enough for Minnesota to let it slide in round 1 and catch a guy in round 2 or 3. I think it might go DT, RB, S and CB for their first 4 picks. Some thought it was a few picks too early for Donovan Jackson at the time of the selection, I think the same thing happens with Kayden McDonald.

Well Chris Simms just added a log to the fire..

My first & only mock draft. This is where I think players WILL go, not where they SHOULD go. pic.twitter.com/Nx353E4vzH

— Chris Simms (@CSimmsQB) April 20, 2026

MaroonBells wrote:

What if Thieneman IS the BPA?

I guess they take him.. I don't like that pick.

comet52 wrote:

Well Chris Simms just added a log to the fire..
https://x.com/i/status/2046298215444807740

That also has Thieneman and EMW falling out of the first. So consider the souse, er, source 🫤

A guy at CBSSports articulated what I've been unable to conjure up for some reason, but felt as an issue with Minnesota....'light boxes' inside for quickness/pass rush and that vulnerability. And what McDonald would provide to remedy that. Most have Kayden slotted more toward the end of round 1:

Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

McDonald is the best pure run-stopper in the draft class. He can plug gaps against double-teams and shed blocks to make plays. That ability is becoming more valuable as light boxes increasingly stress front sevens to stop the run.

For @JustInTime ....Toddy McShay's latest mock:

StickierBuns wrote:

For @JustInTime ....Toddy McShay's latest mock:

I mean, we NEED bodies there. That iDL room is pretty sparse.

StickierBuns wrote:

A guy at CBSSports articulated what I've been unable to conjure up for some reason, but felt as an issue with Minnesota....'light boxes' inside for quickness/pass rush and that vulnerability. And what McDonald would provide to remedy that. Most have Kayden slotted more toward the end of round 1:
Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio StateMcDonald is the best pure run-stopper in the draft class. He can plug gaps against double-teams and shed blocks to make plays. That ability is becoming more valuable as light boxes increasingly stress front sevens to stop the run.

Man how it would be great to have an actual big boy run stopper again.