Vikings target a promising but injured cornerback. Will they risk a first-round pick on top-tier talent with a torn ACL?
The Minnesota Vikings (9-8) playoff fate has been sealed for a while now. The Vikings are not going to the playoffs. They will, however, have a mid-round first round draft pick in 2026.
Minnesota's draft fate may have been sealed on Sunday. The Vikings defeated the Green Bay Packers to move as close to drafting near NFL playoff teams as they could without making the playoffs.
Jeremy Brener of "CBS Sports" gave his projected mock draft following the results of Sunday's matchups. With the current draft order closer to what it will be in April, Brener shared who the Vikings could draft with the No. 18 pick. He had the Vikings taking Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy.
Brener explained his reasoning on the pick in his mock draft description.
"Kwesi Adofo-Mensah showed in free agency last year that he's willing to buy low on players with injury risks for the potential value they present. That describes no one in this draft class better than McCoy. His sophomore tape was top-10 worthy, but he didn't play all fall with an ACL tear suffered last January."
Green Bay Packers Trevon Diggs (28) puts a hit on Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason (27) during their game Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.Dan Powers / USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesTaking risks is inevitable in running an NFL organization, but some would certainly question spending a first round pick on a player with injury history. With how difficult rehabbing can be from ACL tears and how hard it is to return to form, it will be worth monitoring whether or not Adofo-Mensah would even consider making a risky pick.
Given how important this draft is in building around starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy or whoever the team brings in to replace him through free agency or the draft, it's tough to envision Minnesota going after a player who may not make a splash in his first NFL season. Then again, adding a defensive back could make sense for the Vikings.
Minnesota does have a strong pass rush to complement any cornerback additions this offseason. Dallas Turner put up an impressive 11-sack season at edge for the Vikings at edge rusher. Turner fortifies what could be one of the best pass rushing units in the NFL next season.
Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods, Clemson edge T.J. Parker and Utah offensive lineman Caleb Lomu were taken with the next three picks in the mock draft to give an idea of what might be available for the Vikings around the pick.
It will be a pivotal first round for the Vikings in the upcoming draft. Minnesota will look to make the right choice.