B
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings let Slaughter fall and pounced. Final grade: B.
by Gabriel Chudis ·
2026 NFL Draft
· 9 picks
· 8 steals
· 0 reaches
Somewhere a general manager is explaining how Jake Slaughter got past him. The Vikings do not have to explain a thing at No. 97. It does the job without flash, and the B reflects it.
For all the activity, quarterback went untouched, which is hard to explain. They went 5 of 8 on their needs, which is most of what a draft is for.
In short, they left a little better than they arrived, which is the whole idea.
Pick-by-Pick
Arvell Reese at pick No. 18 is the sort of value that quietly wins a weekend. A minor need, but a need all the same.
They did well to land Caleb Banks in the 49th overall pick, just ahead of his grade. The roster fit checks out.
A.J. Haulcy in No. 82 is the kind of fall that makes a whole class. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
They barely believed it either: Jake Slaughter still on the board at pick 97. Better still, it is exactly the hole they had to fill.
They read the board right and Charles Demmings was the payoff at the 163rd pick. Useful body for a position without much behind the starter.
J'Mari Taylor slid further than he should have, and slot 196 is lovely value for the running back. A need, and now a little less of one.
TJ Hall in the Round 7 slot is a gift, value that borders on unfair. They doubled down on a strength rather than a need.
Quietly one of the better values of the day, Zavion Thomas at Round 7, Pick 19. It shores up a spot that genuinely needed the help.
You do not let a safety like Isaiah Nwokobia reach No. 244 and blink. They did not. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.