The Minnesota Vikings are climbing down the draft position rankings as the wins continue to stack up. They have won back-to-back games and have a decent shot at winning a third in a row as they take on the New York Giants next Sunday. For now, they are still mocked in the low teens, as they are picking 12th overall in this one. Can the Vikings find some stars in this class? Let’s find out.
Round One, Pick 12: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
If the medicals come back clean, Jermod McCoy, out of Tennessee, is one of the best cornerbacks in this class. McCoy tore his ACL in January of this year in non-contact drills 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 the tests, this is a sure-fire CB1 for most NFL teams. The former All-SEC standout is physical on the line and showcases outstanding man coverage skills, perfect for this defense.
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Round Two, Pick 44: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
The Vikings add two strong secondary players right off the bat, as Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, out of Toledo, is another aggressive defender perfect for a defense that needs to find the ball. McNeil-Warren can play in the box for run support, but is quick enough to stay with slot receivers. His presence in the run game is one of his strong suits, but he can be overly aggressive in pursuit of finding the right gap.
Round Three, Pick 76: Chris Brazzell, WR, Tennessee
A big-body receiver would be wise for an offense featuring a young quarterback. Insert Chris Brazzell from Tennessee. Brazzell is expected to run in the 4.4 range, which is absurd for a guy with his frame (6’5), so the pre-draft process could propel him up draft boards. He has to work on his hands, as concentration drops are apparent on the tape. But as a redzone threat to free up Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, he would be a welcome addition.
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Round Three, Pick 97: Harold Perkins Jr., LB, LSU
Two years ago, Harold Perkins was already being projected as one of the top prospects in this class. However, a torn ACL and criminal misuse while at LSU have dropped his stock quite a bit. But let’s not forget that Perkins is a freak athlete with flexibility along the defensive front. Guys this athletic are always worth a dart throw, and if this staff can unlock the old Perkins, this would be an A+ pick.
Round Five, Pick 152: Damon Wilson II, EDGE, Missouri
The run on SEC players continues, as Damon Wilson II enters a changing pass rush room. His length is what stands out right away (6’4, 34″ arms), and he uses it to his advantage. His first step is among the best in the class, and his knee bend to get around tackles is strong. His lack of run defense skill drops him down boards, but he could very well be a pre-draft riser due to his speed.
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Round Seven, Pick 226: Jake Slaughter, C, Florida
The late-day three picks are trying to find depth and players you could develop. The interior of this offensive line needs to add depth, and Jake Slaughter’s playstyle fits this offense. Learning from a very solid center in Ryan Kelly for a year or two could speed up his development nicely.
Round Seven, Pick 230: Skyler Gill-Howard, EDGE, Texas Tech
It would be wise to try to grab players from this vaulted Red Raiders defense. This unit is one of the best in College Football this season. Skyler Gill-Howard hasn’t played since October 4th because he underwent season-ending ankle surgery. His play in the five games this season was underwhelming, but he has power to his game that can be molded into a nice rotational piece over time.
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Round Seven, Pick 233: Boubacar Traore, EDGE, Notre Dame
Boubacar Traore is just a redshirt sophomore so that he might declare, but I could also see the appeal of declaring, as he should not be available in the seventh round. His 7.5 sacks on the season more than double his total from a year ago, and he projects to have an even better season next year. The former four-star prospect has insane length (80′ wingspan) and uses it well, but he blends his length with power.
Round Seven, Pick 242: Keanu Tanuvasa, DT, BYU
We close out our draft class by adding pure beef to the interior of this defensive line. We are banking on the medicals coming back clean for Tanuvasa, but if he can assure teams of his medical history, his raw power and crisp footwork make him a mold of clay worth taking a chance on.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Vikings 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Minnesota put emphasis on DBs
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