Let’s find out.
One of the hardest-working and most respected men in the mock draft business is working harder than Mariah Carey around Christmas before the NFL draft begins. Not only has Dane Brugler published his yearly "The Beast" draft guide. He's moved on to a full seven-round mock for every single team. While it's almost impossible to predict all 256 picks, Brugler is about as respected as it gets with his projections.
So what did the Minnesota Vikings walk away with from his seven-rounder?
Minnesota Vikings
1 (18). Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
2 (49). Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
3 (82). A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU
3 (97). Sam Hecht, C, Kansas State
5 (163). Jeff Caldwell, WR, Cincinnati
6 (196). Mason Reiger, EDGE, Wisconsin
7 (234). J.C. Davis, OT, Illinois
7 (235). Seth McGowan, RB, Kentucky
7 (244). Josh Cuevas, TE, Alabama
First, I want to commend Brugler for his bravery. He is one of the few brave souls to not select Dillon Thieneman for the Vikings in the first round, and at least it gives a different scenario to talk through.
Jermod McCoy could be the best cornerback in the class. His concerns aren't talent-wise, but rather his medicals. It appears he is over the ACL injury that robbed his 2025 after an excellent pro day.
Lee Hunter was impressive at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, but lacks speed as a rusher, instead relying on bull rushes and his size to collapse the pocket. Still, pressure from the inside will allow those speedy EDGE rushers to get home.
A.J. Haulcy is the safety selection in the third round. While everyone is enamored with Caleb Downs, Thieneman, and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, it was Haulcy who had the highest overall score for safeties in the class, according to Next Gen Stats. The improvements in his game have to do with finishing tackles, but the safety has an NFL body right now.
Mason Reiger and J.C. Davis are very interesting in the sixth and seventh rounds. Davis has potential as a starting tackle in the NFL, which is a premium position. Reiger can bring fresh legs to a rotation of EDGE rushers to continue to pressure quarterbacks into the fourth quarter.
Sam Hecht isn't the most physically imposing center, but what he lacks in build he makes up for with technique. The center's football IQ is high as he does a great job with double teams and picking up stunts from rushers.