Stamping a grade on a team's NFL Draft class directly after the event — even one or two years removed from it — is an inherently unwise exercise. Moreover, it's a good way to wind up on Freezing Cold Takes.

That's because every player is on his own journey. They deal with unique developmental tracks, unique situations, unique responses to adversities, and sometimes a bill of health that makes or breaks careers.

Of course, the grades roll out every year as quickly as the three-day event begins and ends, and it's unlikely everyone passes. Keeping in mind the inaccuracies of grading draft classes, Ben Solak of ESPN tried a different method that gives all 32 clubs an A+ mark and involved conjuring hypothetical hauls.

Before diving deep, Solak addressed the intent of his unorthodox undertaking. He wrote the following:

Never again will you have to worry about your team's likely busts or bad trades, because they did everything right this time. … This isn't a mock draft — I don't make every pick for every team. Instead, it's a rubric each team should follow to address their particular short- and long-term needs while acknowledging their likelihood of competitiveness in 2026 and beyond. It's a fun exercise made totally null by April 23, when one surprising faller can shake up the entire board and all the draft strategies hit the fan. Until then, this is how every team gets "A" grades from me when the dust finally settles.

With that information in mind, let's explore Solak's best-case scenarios for the Vikings on draft weekend.

Firstly, Solak notes Minnesota is in a tough spot balancing "plenty of 2026 needs" with "plenty more soon-to-be big 2027 needs," and it must do so with leadership that is in flux sans a general manager.

With Executive Vice President of Football Operations Rob Brzezinski filling the void created by former GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's dismissal at the end of January, and fifth-year Head Coach Kevin O'Connell potentially carrying added influence in the building and war room, Solak said "this draft might get weird."

At No. 18, Solak doesn't make a pick but instead advocates for a trade down if it would yield the Vikings help on the defensive line. He highlights Ohio State DT Kayden McDonald and Missouri edge rusher Zion Young as options. Solak said "with surety" Minnesota ought to spend at least two of its nine picks on the defensive line after releasing veterans Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave to gain crucial salary cap relief.

Solak does recognize mock drafts commonly have the Vikings targeting a specific safety in Round 1 — you know who by now — but there are others he thinks Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores will love due to their football IQ who will be available on Day 2, namely TCU's Bud Clark and USC's Kamari Ramsey.

Solak adds that Minnesota should be able to take the "best player available" at 18 because its greatest needs can be met by good depth later in the draft. He points out a tackle would provide insurance for health along the offensive line; a corner would strengthen a room headlined by Byron Murphy, Jr., Isaiah Rodgers and newcomer James Pierre; and there's reasons to build depth at running back and tight end.

Click here to read Solak's complete pre-draft analysis of his perfect draft executions for each franchise.

Dane Brugler predicts all 257 picks

Seven sleeps until Draft Day; oh, what a relief!

For months we have provided comprehensive rundowns of what experts are projecting the Vikings to do at No. 18 in our Mock Draft Tracker series. The final installment, Version 7.0, will be shared next Tuesday.

The bulk of the series has focused on the first round. Occasionally, we've included a glimpse into Day 2 and what the experts think the Vikings may do with pick Nos. 49, 82 and 97. But never a seven-rounder.

That's why we're calling attention to the beast that The Athletic's Dane Brugler released Wednesday. Separate from "The Beast," which is Brugler's draft guide (the most in-depth one, we might add), this is Brugler trying his hand as general manager for every pick. All 257 of them, including nine for the Vikings.

Brugler offered analysis for each first-round choice and then listed the remaining picks. Putting on the GM hat for Minnesota, he paired Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy with the Vikings. Here's why:

McCoy is a tough player to project in a mock draft — some teams are comfortable with his (January) 2025 knee injury, while others won't consider him in the first round. I don't know how the Vikings feel, but adding his level of talent to a Brian Flores defense would be fun to watch.

For what it's worth, the most popular player mocked to Minnesota is Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman. Brugler projected Thieneman to land immediately after with the Panthers. Furthermore, Brugler predicts Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (another popular entry for the Vikings) to join Cleveland at 24.

As for McCoy, he's Brugler's No. 2 cornerback prospect — LSU's Mansoor Delane is No. 1 (6^th overall) — and 14^th on his big board. He offered this on the 20-year-old: "McCoy needs to hone his discipline to hold up versus NFL competition, but he is a twitchy mover with the spatial instincts and ball skills to create plays in coverage. If there are no concerns with his knee, he should be an early NFL starter as a rookie."

The secondary is likely to be addressed by Minnesota in the 2026 event, but what about other positions?

Here's how Brugler sees the Vikings using their four Top 100 selections and their five scheduled on Day 3:

Round 1 (18). Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

Round 2 (49). Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech

Round 3 (82). A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU

Round 3 (97). Sam Hecht, C, Kansas State

Round 5 (163). Jeff Caldwell, WR, Cincinnati

Round 6 (196). Mason Reiger, edge, Wisconsin

Round 7 (234). J.C. Davis, OT, Illinois

Round 7 (235). Seth McGowan, RB, Kentucky

Round 7 (244). Josh Cuevas, TE, Alabama

Since we're nearing the end of our prospect previews by position on Vikings.com, you can read about many of Brugler's choices for Minnesota in those articles. His seven-round beast is available right here.

View 2026 Free Agency Tracker.

See the Vikings 2026 Opponents.

Check out the Vikings 2026 Draft Picks.

View future opponents for the Vikings.

Buy single game tickets.

Download the official Vikings App.