A familiar name surfaces in a mock draft, potentially delivering a dynamic playmaker to ignite the Vikings' offense in 2026.
The Minnesota Vikings (9-8) completed their 2025 season on Sunday. And while it received mixed reviews, the season ended in success with a five-game winning streak and a winning record to close the year.
Despite the positives, the team took a dramatic plunge from its 2024 successes. Minnesota fell from a 14-3 record a season ago to a 4-8 start in 2025. The struggle, though not completely on one individual, stemmed mostly from the fall off at quarterback from Sam Darnold to 2025 starter J.J. McCarthy. Darnold took the Seahawks to a 14-3 record this season.
There are plenty of holes in the roster to fill for Minnesota this offseason, and the draft could be where some deficiencies will be addressed. One mock draft made a pick that could transform the Vikings offense, believe it or not, at pick No. 18.
Vikings Wire's Garrett Burroughs shared his seven-round mock draft. He had the Vikings drafting Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq. Burroughs made his case for drafting the playmaker.
"T.J. Hockenson's production took a massive hit this season, but it is worth noting that his pace of play isn't where it once was, too. Kenyon Sadiq, the draft's top tight end prospect, would be a perfect fit for this offense, as he is fast enough to play underneath and stretch the field, freeing up the middle for Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Tight end might not be a top priority, but the position is the safety blanket for young quarterbacks and could be just what the doctor ordered for J.J. McCarthy."
Replacing Hockenson might not be at the top of Minnesota's priorities this offseason, but giving the team's offense a spark certainly should be up there. Adding a run blocker and pass catcher of Sadiq's caliber, should he pan out, would help nearly every facet of the Vikings offense.
Burroughs selected another player that is still alive in the College Football Playoff with his third pick for Minnesota. He has the team picking Indiana defensive back D'Angelo Ponds. He gave the following reasoning for the pick.
"NFL teams have been burned in recent years with smaller cornerbacks who are physical, but D'Angelo Ponds is a great candidate to break that mold. Ponds is an aggressive tackler in run support, which would take pressure off these interior linebackers. Great hips, smooth backpedal, and spatial awareness are pluses for Ponds. He would thrive in zone coverage but can hold his own in man coverage, too."
Minnesota will look to make a splash in the draft this offseason.