Vikings target linebacker Jake Golday emerges as a surprise second-round projection, boasting elite athleticism and leadership potential for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Draft coverage is getting more and more in depth as we progress to the finish line of the NFL draft process. NFL analysts are digging into the weeds to construct the perfect draft for their teams.
One analyst dropped a name to know for the Vikings' second round pick at No. 49 overall. We would say that the name would surprise you, but it's a name you probably have not heard before today.
Will Ragatz of Minnesota Vikings on SI has a player from the Midwest heading to the Vikings with the No. 49 pick. He predicts Cincinnati Bearcats linebacker Jake Golday could be the choice in the second round with the following reasoning.
"Golday is one of two linebackers the Vikings are hosting on Top 30 visits who could go as high as the top 50, along with Anthony Hill Jr. of Texas. Between the two, it's probably just a matter of individual preference. Golday is a slightly older prospect who began his career at Central Arkansas and then spent two seasons at Cincinnati. He's an outstanding athlete at 6'4", 240 pounds (9.85 RAS) who racked up over 100 tackles last season, including 3.5 sacks. Golday is still developing in some respects but has a lot of the tools that Flores looks for in linebackers.
LB isn't a glaring need for the Vikings, who have Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson locked in as starters and Ivan Pace Jr. behind them as depth. Taking a Day 2 linebacker would be a potential 'best player available' pick with an eye on the future. Golday and Hill coming to Minnesota for visits is not insignificant."
Cincinnati Bearcats linebacker Jake Golday (11) attempts to tackle UCF Knights quarterback Cam Fancher (14) in the second half at Nippert Stadium. Aaron Doster-Imagn ImagesWhether or not the player is what the Vikings need at No. 49 is up for debate, but the fact that Ragatz characterizes Golday in the category as Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. is high praise.
Golday did not start his college career with the same pedigree as Hill. The Cincinnati player was not given a star rating out of high school by 247Sports. As a transfer, he was the No. 52 rated linebacker and No. 716 transfer in the country when he moved on from the Central Arkansas Bears to the Cincinnati Bearcats. Golday has now worked his way into the Top 50 prospects if Ragatz is to be believed.
The Vikings will look to make a strong pick with their second rounder in the 2026 NFL draft.