B-
Minnesota Vikings
Good, not great, for the Vikings: B-.
by Ijbackes46 ·
2026 NFL Draft
· 9 picks
· 4 steals
· 4 reaches
There was a run on nobody at that position, and the Vikings started one anyway for Nick Barrett, 55 picks ahead of schedule. No fireworks, but a solid B-.
They punted on quarterback, and it is the miss that keeps the grade honest. Dixon at that cost is the sort of edge that compounds over a roster.
They left with safety solved and the rest of the wish list mostly ticked off.
In short, they left a little better than they arrived, which is the whole idea.
Pick-by-Pick
A tidy bit of business in the 18th pick, where Jeremiyah Love graded well above the range. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
Fair-plus on Keith Abney II, a quiet win that adds up over a draft. A minor need, but a need all the same.
Value with a capital V on Kamari Ramsey in the 82nd overall pick, a genuine coup. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
Connor Lew at pick 97 is money in the bank, a offensive lineman taken below his worth. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
A conviction pick on Kaleb Elarms-Orr at pick No. 163 that the board grades a round light. A minor itch, scratched.
Value said wait; Nick Barrett in No. 196 says they were not listening. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
The board had cheaper options than Desmond Reid at pick No. 234, and it noticed. A need, and now a little less of one.
Thaddeus Dixon in the 235th pick is a gift, value that borders on unfair. Insurance at a position that did not really ask for it.
They paid up for Wesley Bissainthe at the 244th overall pick when waiting would have done the job. It is more luxury than necessity; they were already set here.