smransberger'S MOCK DRAFT
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smransberger'S MOCK DRAFT
RUN ON JAN 9, 2026

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  • smransberger DRAFTING FOR THE
    Vikings
Draft Selections
Jeremiyah Love Head Shot
PICK: 14 RND: 1 (MIN)
Jeremiyah Love
RB Notre Dame
Dillon Thieneman Head Shot
PICK: 49 RND: 2 (MIN)
Dillon Thieneman
S Oregon
Daylen Everette Head Shot
PICK: 67 RND: 3 (MIN)
Daylen Everette
CB Georgia
Chandler Rivers Head Shot
PICK: 97 RND: 3 (MIN)
Chandler Rivers
CB Duke
Michael Trigg Head Shot
PICK: 117 RND: 4 (MIN)
Michael Trigg
TE Baylor
Jude Bowry Head Shot
PICK: 150 RND: 5 (MIN)
Jude Bowry
OT Boston College
Rayshaun Benny Head Shot
PICK: 196 RND: 6 (MIN)
Rayshaun Benny
DL Michigan
Trey Zuhn III Head Shot
PICK: 234 RND: 7 (MIN)
Trey Zuhn III
OT Texas A&M
Draft Picks Received
Jeremiyah Love Head Shot
PICK: 14 RND: 1 (BAL)
Jeremiyah Love
RB Notre Dame
Daylen Everette Head Shot
PICK: 67 RND: 3 (LV)
Daylen Everette
CB Georgia
Michael Trigg Head Shot
PICK: 117 RND: 4 (LV)
Michael Trigg
TE Baylor
Jude Bowry Head Shot
PICK: 150 RND: 5 (DAL)
Jude Bowry
OT Boston College
Draft Picks Traded
Gennings Dunker Head Shot
PICK: 18 RND: 1 (BAL)
Gennings Dunker
OT Iowa
Caleb Tiernan Head Shot
PICK: 82 RND: 3 (LV)
Caleb Tiernan
OT Northwestern
Eric Rivers Head Shot
PICK: 161 RND: 5 (DAL)
Eric Rivers
WR Georgia Tech
Pat Coogan Head Shot
PICK: 244 RND: 7 (DAL)
Pat Coogan
C Indiana
No Pick Head Shot
PICK: RND: 7 (ARI)
NEXT YEAR (2027)
 
Players traded away
Head Shot
Aaron Jones
RB
Head Shot
Byron Murphy Jr.
CB
Head Shot
T.J. Hockenson
TE
Head Shot
Will Fries
OG
Draft Grade — Vikings
Overall D-
ValueB NeedB TradesF FutureB-
The phones sank the Vikings this weekend: D-.

The Vikings lost the trade war and it was not close, handing partners the better end again and again.

The quarterback hole is the one line item this class does not answer. If Trigg pans out, nobody remembers the price. If not, this is the pick they hear about. The Rivers pick is fine in a vacuum, less so with quarterback, edge rusher and other spots still on the board.

Bottom line, they will need several of these picks to beat their grades just to break even.

Pick Analysis
Pick14 Rnd1 Jeremiyah Love
In the Round 1 slot they get a bell-cow for the offense. A clean fit for the roster.
Pick49 Rnd2 Dillon Thieneman
Fair-plus on Dillon Thieneman, a quiet win that adds up over a draft. Better still, it is exactly the hole they had to fill.
Pick67 Rnd3 Daylen Everette
Daylen Everette at pick No. 67 is neither steal nor reach, just the going rate. Useful body for a position without much behind the starter.
Pick97 Rnd3 Chandler Rivers
A surprising call. With quarterback, edge rusher and other spots still to address, they spent the 97th pick on Chandler Rivers, a cornerback they were not short of.
Pick117 Rnd4 Michael Trigg
Michael Trigg at Round 4, Pick 17 is a steep price for a hunch, hard to square with any board. It shores up a spot that genuinely needed the help.
Pick150 Rnd5 Jude Bowry
Nice patience on Jude Bowry, who had no business lasting to slot 150. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
Pick196 Rnd6 Rayshaun Benny
Rayshaun Benny at the 196th overall pick is a clear overpay, with better names still on the board. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
Pick234 Rnd7 Trey Zuhn III
A market-rate offensive lineman, with the board and the slot shaking hands on Trey Zuhn III. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.