The NFL Draft requires a delicate balance of addressing need and finding the best player available. Ideally, the best player available plays a position of need. However, talent pools and other teams’ draft strategies often prevent that ideal outcome.

That sometimes forces teams into a predicament of reaching for a position of need while bypassing better overall prospects.

As rosters change so much year-to-year, the shortsighted nature of reaching for a player can have lingering effects. Not only does that player not live up to expectations, but as years go by, other roster holes open up. Those players who weren't "needs" initially would now be welcomed with open arms.

The Minnesota Vikings' draft strategy in April will be fascinating. After firing general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, the Vikings will have a different approach to the offseason. They will wait until after the draft to hire their new GM.

So will Minnesota approach the draft with a simpler mindset? Instead of targeting specific players or positions, will they opt to acquire the best player available at their respective draft slot?

It may not be a flawed approach. There aren't many positions on the roster that are "set" top to bottom. Even the offensive tackle combination of Christian Darrisaw and Brian O'Neill could use some high-end depth after the two starters missed ten combined starts in 2025.

Tonight, we will look at each draft slot the Vikings are currently picking in and align them with the player at the corresponding ranking on the Consensus Big Board. We'll briefly touch on each player.

Tight end may not be the first position of need that fans think of going into the draft. But T.J. Hockenson will be 29 when the 2026 season kicks off and may be playing on a restructured contract anyway.

At first, this may feel too high. But we still don't know if Darrisaw will ever fully recover from his ACL/MCL tear from October 2024. O'Neill will turn 31 in September and currently has the third-highest cap hit on the team.

The Vikings could use a young interior defensive lineman after the underwhelming performances of veterans Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave in 2025.

Minnesota may feel set at EDGE, but Andrew Van Ginkel will be 31 when the season starts. It's also a position where you can never have too many bodies.

The Vikings need more depth in the receiver room if Jalen Nailor leaves.

Minnesota could continue to opt for heavier personnel. For the purpose of this exercise, we stick to the board.

The Vikings could use insurance at right guard in the event Will Fries doesn't take another step in 2026.

Three players started at center for Minnesota in 2025. Hecht would provide excellent value here.

This exercise oversimplifies by using only one consensus big board. Still, it shows how taking the "best player available" approach can quickly address roster needs, both in the short and long term.

Even if the Vikings were to stick to this or any board and select the players around their slated pick, they could find great value in April.