Viking's roster shake-up demands 2026 draft focus. Center, safety, and receiver needs loom after key departures.
The Minnesota Vikings will have their hands full with their upcoming NFL draft choices. The pressure is on after the team made roster cuts to get under the cap and sign star quarterback Kyler Murray.
Murray did not cost the Vikings much, but the roster cuts and departures might have cost the team in production. With that, Minnesota will need to move decisively to upgrade what the team lost.
Minnesota Vikings insider Kevin Seifert of ESPN discussed where the Vikings will likely go with their draft picks in the 2026 NFL draft. According to Seifert, the picks could be all over the field. He wrote the following of where the team could go with their selections.
"Top three needs: C, S, WR. Ryan Kelly's retirement left the Vikings without an obvious replacement at center. Backup Michael Jurgens started three games last season, and the Vikings converted guard/tackle Blake Brandel to start five more, but it's unclear whether either is a long-term answer.
The Vikings are also considering how to replace veteran safety Harrison Smith, who at age 37 has yet to decide whether he will retire. And though their top two receivers are set with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, they have no proven depth after Jalen Nailor's departure to the Raiders. Tai Felton, a 2025 third-round draft pick, played only 46 offensive snaps last season."
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor (1) celebrates with quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) after a touchdown catch during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Kevin Jairaj-Imagn ImagesInterestingly, defensive lineman is not identified as one of the team's top three needs. Safety certainly was an easy choice.
The impending loss of Harrison Smith to retirement puts the safety position in flux, but some believe even a Smith return would not fully address the position for the 2026 season. Certainly, it would not help much beyond next season.
Losing out on Ryan Kelly to retirement might have provided cap relief, but it does not help the team's outlook at the center position. Minnesota proved it could draft a quality offensive lineman last season with their first pick. They might look to do it again.
Then there's wide receiver, where the Vikings look solid at the No. 1 and No. 2 spot. The third receiver spot could be a question mark after the team lost Jalen Nailor from its 2025 squad. Minnesota could probably make do with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison at receiver, but the question becomes whether or not they would like to have to make do with what they have or make a real upgrade at their No. 3 receiver.
The Vikings will make their No. 18 overall pick in April.