JedHead'S MOCK DRAFT
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feb 16 2026

  • JedHead DRAFTING FOR THE
    Vikings
Draft Selections
Arvell Reese Head Shot
PICK: 18 RND: 1 (MIN)
Arvell Reese
LB Ohio State
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren Head Shot
PICK: 57 RND: 2 (MIN)
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
S Toledo
Emmett Johnson Head Shot
PICK: 82 RND: 3 (MIN)
Emmett Johnson
RB Nebraska
Darrell Jackson Jr. Head Shot
PICK: 89 RND: 3 (MIN)
Darrell Jackson Jr.
DT Florida State
Joe Royer Head Shot
PICK: 97 RND: 3 (MIN)
Joe Royer
TE Cincinnati
Febechi Nwaiwu Head Shot
PICK: 161 RND: 5 (MIN)
Febechi Nwaiwu
OG Oklahoma
Desmond Reid Head Shot
PICK: 194 RND: 6 (MIN)
Desmond Reid
RB Pittsburgh
Deven Eastern Head Shot
PICK: 234 RND: 7 (MIN)
Deven Eastern
DL Minnesota
Barion Brown Head Shot
PICK: 239 RND: 7 (MIN)
Barion Brown
WR LSU
Peyton Bowen Head Shot
PICK: 240 RND: 7 (MIN)
Peyton Bowen
S Oklahoma
Draft Picks Received
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren Head Shot
PICK: 57 RND: 2 (CHI)
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
S Toledo
Darrell Jackson Jr. Head Shot
PICK: 89 RND: 3 (CHI)
Darrell Jackson Jr.
DT Florida State
Barion Brown Head Shot
PICK: 239 RND: 7 (CHI)
Barion Brown
WR LSU
No Pick Head Shot
PICK: RND: 6 (CHI)
NEXT YEAR (2027)
 
Draft Picks Traded
Anthony Lucas Head Shot
PICK: 49 RND: 2 (CHI)
Anthony Lucas
DE-EDGE USC
Players Gained
Head Shot
Zah Frazier
CB
Draft Grade — Vikings
Overall B
ValueB NeedB- TradesA- FutureB-
Good, not great, for the Vikings: B.

There was a run on nobody at that position, and the Vikings started one anyway for Desmond Reid, 38 picks ahead of schedule.

They punted on quarterback, and it is the miss that keeps the grade honest. McNeil-Warren at that cost is the sort of edge that compounds over a roster. Job largely done: safety settled and 6 of 8 of the wish list covered.

All told, a solid class that does its job everywhere but quarterback.

Pick Analysis
Pick18 Rnd1 Arvell Reese
In pick 18 they get a three-down second-level presence, outstanding value to boot. More want than need.
Pick57 Rnd2 Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
Good things come to war rooms that wait, and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren at the 57th pick is the proof. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
Pick82 Rnd3 Emmett Johnson
A reach for Emmett Johnson in pick No. 82; a little patience would have been rewarded. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
Pick89 Rnd3 Darrell Jackson Jr.
Darrell Jackson Jr. in the Round 3 slot is exactly on the number, no argument either way. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
Pick97 Rnd3 Joe Royer
They took Joe Royer at par in the 97th overall pick, which is nothing to complain about. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
Pick161 Rnd5 Febechi Nwaiwu
A reach on Febechi Nwaiwu in No. 161; the board had better options right there. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
Pick194 Rnd6 Desmond Reid
They talked themselves into Desmond Reid at the Round 6 slot, and the board did not agree. It shores up a spot that genuinely needed the help.
Pick234 Rnd7 Deven Eastern
They jumped the gun on Deven Eastern, taking him earlier than his grade liked. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
Pick239 Rnd7 Barion Brown
They paid sticker price for Barion Brown in the 239th pick, and that is fine. It fills a real need, too.
Pick240 Rnd7 Peyton Bowen
No edge and no loss on Peyton Bowen in the 240th overall pick; it is a wash and a sensible one. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.