Minnesota Vikings give Brian Flores multiple weapons on defense, while prioritizing latest offensive trend in latest 2026 NFL mock draft

46. Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State

There is no developmental player with any kind of pedigree for the Vikings right now. It's not like they haven't tried to draft them, with four taken with top 130 picks over the last four NFL Drafts. Two of them were busts, Adofo-Mensah gave up on Mekhi Blackmon, and Khyree Jackson tragically passed away in a car accident before his first training camp.

They can rectify this in April with some really intriguing cornerbacks. Abney is one of the best man coverage cornerbacks in the country. He adds excellent ball skills and read-and-react ability to attack at the catch point. The Vikings could certainly use a player like that, as Flores having the ability to attack with man coverage would give him another tool in his bag.

78. Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt

One of the intriguing elements in the NFL this season has been the rise of heavy personnel sets. The Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams have used 12 and 13 personnel really well in the passing game. It feels like it's primed to be the next wave in the NFL, and head coach Kevin O'Connell will likely want to make an investment.

Stowers would be a good complement to what T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver bring to the table, as he's a true weapon in the passing game. More of an H-back, Vanderbilt trusts Stowers to be their go-to guy in key situations, and he has the athleticism to thrive in space. That is something that O'Connell could maximize long-term. Plus, he's a former high school quarterback, so trick plays are on the table.

97. Will Lee III, CB, Texas A&M

Did someone say cornerback? Adding a second one on day two would help everyone feel good about the position on a short and long-term basis. Lee is a different body type than what the Vikings currently have, as he's 6-1 and long. That kind of length makes a very big difference at the catch point. Pair that with his ability to play in man coverage and you have a really interesting prototype to add to the Vikings' cornerback room.

168. Logan Jones, C, Iowa

Center is a need for the Vikings, and Jones is one of the better centers in college football. He has a similar build to Garrett Bradbury, but the one thing he has over the former Vikings first-round pick is a fantastic anchor. Jones can plant his feet in the ground and hold up in pass protection. He still needs work with his technique and overall strength profile, but he's the kind of player you can sit for a year and develop with the hopes he can be a starter.

210. Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State

Iheanachor is one of the more underrated tackles in this class, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him skyrocket up the board in a relatively weak tackle class. He's an elite athlete with really good movement skills. There is still a lot to improve with his overall technique, as he's relatively new to the position, but this is a great upside play in the sixth round.

227. Eli Heidenreich, RB, Navy

I'm going to be real with you: this is not a great running back class.

There are some intriguing players, but nobody other than Jeremiyah Love who stands out as someone worth a high pick. Taking a dart throw late is probably the best route to go if you don't get Love. At that point, what should you be looking for? Well, Heidenreich has the entire package.

Having played in the triple option at Navy, he's emerged as a really good runner in all concepts, plus blocker, and a weapon in the vertical passing game. He's an excellent player who can do a lot of things at the next level, including special teams.

228. Jalen Catalon, S, Missouri

It feels like we've been talking about Catalon for the last four NFL Draft cycles, and it's because we have been. Since he left Arkansas, Catalon has played for Texas, UNLV, and now Missouri. He's a versatile player who plays smart on the back end. His experience will help right away on special teams, with some ability to play on defense as well.

229. Skyler Bell, WR, UConn

One thing the Vikings have prioritized at wide receiver has been someone who can win from multiple alignments. That is what Bell brings to the table. He can win from the outside and in the slot thanks to his quickness and twitch. He would fit right in with the style of play that Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison play, and playing at UConn has made him a hidden gem in this class, but that won't last long.

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This story was originally reported by A to Z Sports on Nov 15, 2025, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.