NFLDG 2026 Mock Draft
If there were a draft anything could happen... this is it! Enjoy the mock leading up to this year's draft. Promise this combines a combination of my own insights paired with some of what I'm hearing:
-- Start it off with a TRADE, the Vikings move back to 1(23) with PHI adding a late 3rd and 4th while giving up a 7th as a sweetener --
1(23) via PHI: Peter Woods DT / Clemson - Although teams are lower on this years DT class, Woods draft stock is being slept on. He can be an immediate one-gap penetrator and disruptor in the run game. Although he needs continued development as a pass-rusher the win rate is strong and the 2024 tape is awesome. The Vikings haven't been directly paired to Woods but they did a lot of work on him over the fall.
-- Another TRADE, the Vikings use their added flexibility in the 3rd to move up for their preferred corner --
1(32) via SEA: Chris Johnson CB / San Diego State - I've heard the Vikings are high on Chris Johnson and I have to say he is a perfect fit for the Vikings defensive system on the outside. He can play on/off coverage and is reliable playing the flat in the run. While he may not have an elite trait, he can do everything well in a versatile defensive system. We'll see if he makes it this far. I would not sleep on Colton Hood being a fit for MN as well.
3(97): Sam Rousch TE/Stanford - Sadiq will be in-play for MN in round one, this feels like a stronger value. Rousch was limited as a pass catcher in Stanford's offense but is a great athlete with a good feel for zone coverage. He'll need time to develop as a route-runner but could see the field early as a high-end run blocker. He could be a Hockenson replacement in 2027.
3(98) via PHI: Kamari Ramsey S/USC - Ramsey is flexible on the back-end having played nickel at USC in 2025 but is likely a deep half safety in the NFL. The Vikings like Jay Ward and will continue leveraging Metellus as a 3rd safety/robber. Ramsey gives them depth and competition for both Theo Jackson and Ward, filling out the back-end of the defense.
4(137) via PHI: Demond Claiborne RB/Wake Forest - I've been on Claiborne for awhile, his explosiveness is very impressive and gives the Vikings RB room a different flavor. He will not develop into a full-time back until he shows better hands in the pass game. But his feel and traits give him high-end upside if he puts it all together.
5(163): Parker Brailsford C/Alabama - We'll see how the Vikings attack center, I'm mainly curious on the style of player they chase. If they are open to a wide-zone athlete, Brailsford make more sense to me than Logan Jones in the 3rd. Brailsford played well against SEC competition and although he lacks the size, is highly physical and gets to the second level in the run game. He's immediate competition to start which is a great 5th round value.
6(196): Mason Reiger EDGE/Wisconsin - His health will be a consideration for teams along with being a bit undersized. But his first step is elite and he fits the profile of hybrid EDGE players Flores has been highly successful with. He would git cleanly into the VanGinkel role as depth.
7(234) CJ Daniels WR/Miami - He's an older player but as a strong track record of getting open with reliable hands. While it may not be the sexiest choice at WR, he can compete for targets as a rookie in a role similar to Jarius Wright.
7(244) Devin Eastern DT/Minnesota - Whether its on the roster or as a UDFA, being able to grab a physically imposing NT would round out the Vikings D-line room for this upcoming season.
Nice work, Geoff! Woods makes a lot of sense and I’d be very happy with that pick (assuming we trade down). But at the end of the day, I think Flores might prefer the youth, length, traits and versatility of a Keldric Faulk. If we stay at 18, I think this pick will be Thieneman. But I think we want (if not need) to trade down and start filling in some of the missing drafted depth we lost in the Turner and Hockenson trades. Here, we get an extra 3rd and a 4th and give up a 7th.
1-Keldric Faulk, DL - Production over traits? Fake news. Faulk is not an edge in our defense. He’s a 5t/4i. Versatility and disguisability.
2-Jake Golday, LB - Really REALLY want Rodriguez but I think he goes in the 30s. If Caleb Banks is here….?
3a-Connor Lew, C - Injury gifts top center to Vikings. With Brandel, he has time
3b-Oscar Delp, TE - Package player early. Starter in 2027 with 10 more lbs.
3c-VJ Payne, S - Day-two safety depth may prompt Vikings to pass on Thieneman in the 1st.
4-Emmett Johnson, RB - Something about this Husker says Vikings
5-Mason Reiger, DE - Even if we don’t trade JG
6-Jeff Caldwell, WR - Holy H/W/S
7a-Alex Harkey, T/G - Saltier Fries
7b-Scooby Williams, LB - Ruh roh, Raggy
“A gentleman is someone who can play the accordion, but doesn't." - Tom Waits
I don't see much dancing at all from Brez and company today. Solid, steady wins the day. The most exotic thing would be trading Greenard.
StickierBuns wrote:
I don't see much dancing at all from Brez and company today. Solid, steady wins the day. The most exotic thing would be trading Greenard.
Which supposedly has already happened.
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”
Shakespeare
JustInTime wrote:
Which supposedly has already happened.
I saw that.....would be completely fine with me and I say that really liking Greenard. Let's release the Dallas Turner kraken please....
JustInTime wrote:
Which supposedly has already happened.
Wait....What?
Eagles have pick 54, f that
Pretend for a moment that Lewis is onto something, and Minnesota executes a deal in the Pick No. 49 range. That would implicate these likely trade partners:
Kansas City Chiefs (Pick 40)
New Orleans Saints (Pick 42)
Miami Dolphins (Pick 43)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Pick 46)
Indianapolis Colts (Pick 47)
Atlanta Falcons (Pick 48)
Carolina Panthers (Pick 51)
Philadelphia Eagles (Pick 54)
Los Angeles Chargers (Pick 55)
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
purplefaithful wrote:
Wait....What?
Eagles have pick 54, f that
Pretend for a moment that Lewis is onto something, and Minnesota executes a deal in the Pick No. 49 range. That would implicate these likely trade partners:
Kansas City Chiefs (Pick 40)
New Orleans Saints (Pick 42)
Miami Dolphins (Pick 43)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Pick 46)
Indianapolis Colts (Pick 47)
Atlanta Falcons (Pick 48)
Carolina Panthers (Pick 51)
Philadelphia Eagles (Pick 54)
Los Angeles Chargers (Pick 55)
I've thought for a week now that Philly and Minnesota would agree to get pick #54 from them for Greenard. But that doesn't preclude a new interested team that can offer slightly better having some new interest. Or its all bullshit, lol.
JustInTime wrote:
Which supposedly has already happened.
Or a deal has been agreed to provided certain things happen in the draft. I think that's probably more likely.
“A gentleman is someone who can play the accordion, but doesn't." - Tom Waits
MaroonBells wrote:
Or a deal has been agreed to provided certain things happen in the draft. I think that's probably more likely.
Or, it’s a dart throw. Until I see someone like Jeremiah tweet something like this, color me skeptical.
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”
Shakespeare
Would be THRILLED to end the night with 2 first round defenders and have been trying to keep the cornerback drumbeat alive around here for a bit. Thanks for the post NFLDG. Glad you find your way to the new and improved hangout.
I’m not really sure where the hype for VJ Payne in the third round is coming from. Maybe as a late Day 3 flyer, but a third feels like a stretch and that’s coming from a KSU guy.
He plays aggressive and looks to deliver big hits, but too often that turns into missed tackles and blown opportunities. Offenses take advantage of that. I’m not sold on his instincts, and I don’t see a particularly high ceiling there either.
@NFL Draft Guru Hood may go 20 to Dallas. I am just really high on Woods. But your drafts look great!
JustInTime wrote:
Or, it’s a dart throw. Until I see someone like Jeremiah tweet something like this, color me skeptical.
#Auburn EDGE Keldric Faulk told me this morning that the #Eagles brought him in for a 30 visit and said the organization has “really good people.” Said he likes to model his game after Cam Jordan and that teams have valued his versatility to play multiple spots on the D-line.
— Devin Jackson @RealD_Jackson Apr 23, 2026
#Auburn EDGE Keldric Faulk told me this morning that the #Eagles brought him in for a 30 visit and said the organization has “really good people.” Said he likes to model his game after Cam Jordan and that teams have valued his versatility to play multiple spots on the D-line.
Might the Greenard trade be contingent upon the Eagles drafting a DE in the 1st round? And wouldn't it be funny if we took Faulk ahead of them forcing the Eagles to trade for Greenard on day-two? Not quite the same kind of player, but stranger things.
“A gentleman is someone who can play the accordion, but doesn't." - Tom Waits
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