EAGAN, Minn. — The 2026 NFL Draft wrapped up Saturday, and grades replaced mocks almost instantly.

There's a wide range of opinions on Minnesota's nine additions, but obviously nothing is final.

Like letter grades in school sometimes failing to reflect a person's real-life intellect, the snapshot post-draft grades that are produced and consumed en masse can struggle to capture the quality of a team's haul. That's not to say the annual tradition should be dissolved, just that it's important to view report cards across the web with caution and the understanding that each club sees players uniquely.

Basically, it's premature – albeit, interesting — to break out the red pen and mark up all 257 picks.

One veteran NFL Draft analyst, Bucky Brooks, vocalized concerns after the annual event about certain selections being scrutinized by external draft prognosticators when their takes are missing information.

"Without a thorough understanding of the team's plans for the team, players, or scheme, it's impossible to suggest a pick is good or bad," the former NFL player and scout commented on X. "Teams build their draft boards based on grades that project how a player will perform or contribute within their system; the Consensus Boards and media scouting reports lack that context. Without a clear understanding of the 'why' behind each pick, critics are missing some key tidbits that are critical to a full assessment."

Brooks' NFL Media colleague, Lance Zierlein, phrased it this way: "Everyone loves draft grades and I totally get that. Just keep in mind that grades are being put on tests that haven't been taken yet."

In 3-5 years, expect a better assessment of the 2026 Vikings class, which includes the following players:

Round 1, 18^th overall: Caleb Banks, DL, Florida

Round 2, 51^st overall: Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati

Round 3, 82^nd overall: Domonique Orange, DL, Iowa State

Round 3, 97^th overall: Caleb Tiernan, OL, Northwestern

Round 3, 98^th overall: Jakobe Thomas, S, Miami

Round 5, 159^th overall: Max Bredeson, FB, Michigan

Round 5, 163^rd overall: Charles Demmings, CB, Stephen F. Austin

Round 6, 198^th overall: Demond Claiborne, RB, Wake Forest

Round 7, 235^th overall: Gavin Gerhardt, C, Cincinnati

Here's a collection of draft grades from different members of the media broken into three sections: overall, pick-by-pick and daily grades. Remember the aforementioned "tweets" while reading these!

OVERALL | TOTAL GPA: 2.32

Carter Bahns of CBS Sports | B-minus

Analysis: Minnesota must not have any concerns about Caleb Banks' foot, because using the No. 18 pick on a defensive lineman who has battled multiple injuries over the past year is otherwise a questionable move. Two surgeries since the start of the 2025 college football season, including one as recently as the combine, made Banks a candidate to fall out of the first round entirely. Instead, Minnesota took a gamble and will hope he delivers on his potential as a massive force on the defensive interior.

Nate Davis of USA TODAY | C-minus

Analysis: They're in a weird spot, especially with a substitute teacher in the GM's chair – which isn't intended as a shot at Rob Brzezinski. And this draft almost surely will be more productive than ousted predecessor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's hauls. Yet first-round DL Caleb Banks might have felt like something of a reach under optimal circumstances, but the broken left foot he suffered at the combine – which is a recurring injury for a very big man – is quite a red flag for a player taken 18th overall. Third-round S Jakobe Thomas could be this year's most impactful rookie if S Harrison Smith doesn't return. Yet it feels like Minnesota might not get a ton out of this class in 2026, even as the Vikes vie to get back in the thick of the NFC North race in what might be QB Kyler Murray's only year in [Minnesota].

Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News | C-minus

Analysis: Banks was a massive reach for an injured player early. Golday was a great pick, but Orange is more of a rotational pickup up front. It was good they went defense to help Brian Flores, but they didn't inch toward a rebound playoff team for Kevin O'Connell.

Danny Kelly of The Ringer | C-plus

Analysis: The Vikings put together a high-protein draft class this year, focusing on the defensive side of the ball early. Defensive lineman Caleb Banks is a high-variance, risky pick because of his history with foot injuries. But if he can stay healthy, he brings immense upside as a chaos creator on the inside. He'll line up next to Domonique Orange, a.k.a. "Big Citrus," a space-eating interior lineman who stonewalls the run. Jake Golday is a well-built and rangy linebacker who brings experience playing all over the defensive formation, including plenty of snaps over the slot. And Caleb Tiernan brings starting upside at either tackle or guard, which helps solidify the Vikings offensive line. One guy from this class to keep an eye on is sixth-round running back Demond Claiborne, who plays with incredible explosiveness and speed at 5-foot-9, 189 pounds. He has a chance to find the field as a change-of-pace, relief option to Aaron Jones, Sr., and Jordan Mason. Overall, I like that the Vikings focused on the trenches here, but I'm worried Banks will struggle to get and stay healthy.

Mel Kiper, Jr., of ESPN | C

Analysis: Caleb Banks is a good player. He can wreak havoc on opposing linemen and has legit burst to affect the quarterback in the pocket as an interior pass rusher (4.5 sacks in 2024). He's at his best as a run stuffer, closing gaps with his 6-foot-6, 327-pound frame, and he brings scheme versatility to the table. But his left foot has been a major problem. … I was mostly surprised Minnesota passed on safety Dillon Thieneman, but even among the defensive tackles, I had four guys ranked higher, starting with Peter Woods and Kayden McDonald. Minnesota did take a safety in Jakobe Thomas late in Round 3, and he can create takeaways, with five INTs in 2025. It doubled up on defensive line with Domonique Orange and picked up linebacker depth with Jake Golday. But my favorite pick of Day 2 was Caleb Tiernan. I had him ranked 47 spots higher than his draft slot, and he is a massive 6-foot-8, 323-pounder with a ton of experience (44 starts, mostly at left tackle). The Vikings made four picks on Day 3, and my favorite of the bunch is Charles Demmings. He ran a 4.41 in the 40 at the combine, and with nine interceptions and 35 passes defensed in college, he's a ball hawk. But overall, Minnesota just didn't do enough to move the needle.

Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report | D

Analysis: It wasn't a total shock to see them target their defensive front on opening night. Still, the selection of Florida's Caleb Banks could be considered a reach. Banks was the 60th-ranked overall prospect on the B/R board. Fortunately, the Vikings found much better value in Round 2. Off-ball linebacker Jake Golday has the potential to be a true three-down player for Minnesota and was the 37th-ranked prospect on the Scouting Department's final board. During Day 2 of the draft, the Vikings also received a pair of third-round picks (one in 2026, one in 2027) from the Philadelphia Eagles for edge-rusher Jonathan Greenard. Minnesota then went back to its defensive interior, adding Iowa State's Domonique Orange. Orange and Jakobe Thomas will add more defensive depth, while the Vikings should boost their ground game with Demond Claiborne and the draft's top fullback, Max Bredeson. However, it's hard to feel like the Vikings roster is any better than it was at the start of the offseason — aside from at quarterback, where Kyler Murray adds real improvement potential — though the team has saved considerable cap space.

Gilberto Manzano & Matt Verderame of Sports Illustrated | B-minus

Analysis: Clearly, the Vikings wanted to improve along the interior defensive line. Banks could have the most upside among the defensive tackles in his class, but the team took a big gamble on a player who has broken his left foot twice in the past year. The Vikings did, however, protect themselves a bit by selecting another interior defender, utilizing extra picks from the Jonathan Greenard trade with the Eagles. Orange offers a lot more than just his cool nickname of "Big Citrus." Banks is the better pass rusher, but Orange can make an impact in the running game. Minnesota waited until the third round to finally add a safety in Thomas, a ballhawk with five interceptions last year.

Ryan McCrystal of Sharp Football Analysis | B

Analysis: I'll give Brian Flores the benefit of the doubt and assume he and the Vikings have a vision here, but it's a strange draft class. Drafting a nose tackle (Domonique Orange) and a traditional Sam linebacker (Jake Golday), two positions without much value in today's game, is an odd strategy. Maybe they anticipate the continued trend toward more heavy offensive formations, leading to more traditional base defense usage?

Pete Prisco of CBS Sports | B-minus

Analysis: Without a true GM after the firing of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, they focused on defense with their first four picks. They landed some good players, but this draft has to be about Banks becoming a dominant inside player.

Rob Rang of FOX Sports | C-plus

Analysis: Rob Brezinzski and Kevin O'Connell put together one of the more entertaining and intriguing draft classes in the NFL. After moving on from veterans Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen, the Vikings added two prospects who might prove immediate upgrades in Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange, sandwiched around a do-it-all linebacker in Jake Golday, whose size and speed could make him a star in Brian Flores' system. Safety Jakobe Thomas gives Flores a foursome of possible rookie standouts with each offering undeniable upside. Each also, however, carries significant risk, with Banks struggling with durability, Golday and Thomas flashier than finished products, and Orange a bit of a one-trick pony as a run-specialist. Similarly, while I like OL Caleb Tiernan's toughness and think he has the core strength to handle the anticipated move inside, it will be hard for Kyler Murray (or J.J. McCarthy) to throw over the top of him, given his nearly 6-foot-8 frame. This is a class that could pay off big — or completely flop.

Connor Rogers of NBC Sports | B-minus

Analysis: Banks looked like a top 15 pick coming into 2025, then he broke his foot before and after the season. He has the biggest ceiling of any defensive tackle in this class. Doubling up with Dom "Big Citrus" Orange in the third round ensures this run defense will improve from last year. Jake Golday is a big linebacker who surprisingly played a lot of slot snaps in college. He covers a lot of ground with big strides and is a reliable tackler. I think Caleb Tiernan will move to guard at the next level due to his lack of length, but he is very polished in pass protection and the zone run game. I'm excited to see Demond Claiborne get a chance as a change-of-pace runner. He's an angle destroyer for defenders on the back end, giving him big-play ability.

Nate Tice of Yahoo! Sports | B

Analysis: Caleb Banks is an über-talented defensive tackle who has flashes of being a true mauler and disrupter in the middle. He has had a foot injury that can lead to consternation over his long-term health, but his upside is one of the highest of this year's draft class in his massive frame. Domonique Orange is another defender who lacked production in college, but that was mostly because of Iowa State's scheme rather than lack of ability. He is an easy mover in a big frame that can knock centers back but has the light feet to be a valid defender on games and twists, something Flores loves with his defense. Jake Golday is listed as a linebacker but he was more of a slot defender (or old school walked-out Will linebacker for those familiar with that nomenclature). He has great size and is a good athlete but sometimes doesn't play to that ability. I like him best going forward and near the line of scrimmage, but his tweenerness will be an asset under Flores, who asks his outside linebackers to do a bit of everything. Jakobe Thomas is a safety who wants to be aggressive on the ball, a style that can get a boost in this defense. Demond Claiborne gives the Vikings juice in the backfield behind Aaron Jones and to complement Jordan Mason. He lacks size but runs with real vision and tempo to pair with his game-breaking speed. Hell, the Vikings even added a fullback for good measure in Max Bredeson. This is a team that wants to make sure it can keep running the ball when it needs to.

BY PICK

Nick Baumgardner & Scott Dochterman of The Athletic (Rounds 1-3)

Banks: C-plus

Analysis: This is bold (if that's the right word). When Banks is healthy and engaged with his technique, he's a serious problem — on talent alone, he's definitely DT1 in this class. However, he's not a very consistent player, and despite his athletic potential, he could bust. Banks has had two foot injuries in less than a year, and many teams dropped him out of the first round after he broke his foot at the combine.

Golday: C-minus

Analysis: This grade is not a reflection on Golday, who is one of the great stories of this draft. But the Vikings have major issues in their secondary. They bypassed that area in the first round for an oft-injured — albeit very talented defensive tackle — but the alarm should be sounding now.

Orange: A-minus

Analysis: I love the value here, though this does make me further question why Minnesota took Caleb Banks so early. Orange, known as "Big Citrus," is an outstanding nose tackle who can kick out and play some three-tech. He's a stout run defender who could surprise with his pass-rush upside.

Tiernan: A

Analysis: After a few questionable picks early in the draft, Minnesota made some nice moves in the third round. Tiernan (6-7 1/2, 323) was one of the Big Ten's most overlooked players and earned a Second-Team All-Big Ten selection last year. With below-average arm length (32 1/4), he may kick inside to guard or flip to the right side, but he's definitely an NFL player.

Thomas: C

Analysis: This wasn't even my favorite available safety off Miami's roster, as I'd have preferred Keionte Scott here (or Penn State's Zakee Wheatley, South Carolina's Jalon Kilgore, or possibly Arizona's Genesis Smith). This feels like a reach on a rotational safety, although Thomas should be a special teams asset.

Tyler Forness of **AtoZSports**

Banks: A-minus

Analysis: This is a massive upside swing. In a class void of elite talent, Banks is one that could elevate into an elite player. He thrives as a gap shooting defensive end in a 3-4 that is a major disruptor on the interior. … It's a home run swing from the Vikings, but it could elevate the Vikings to another level.

Golday: B-plus

Analysis: As a former edge rusher, Golday played overhang for the Bearcats. Having the versatility to play in space and set the edge will give Flores something extra to maximize his pressure packages.

Orange: B-plus

Analysis: Orange, who ranked 70^th on Arif Hasan's consensus board, is a twitchy athlete who penetrates the backfield with ease. You don't often get a player who can attack the backfield with the kind of explosiveness and production that Orange has. He's going to be a two-down player, but a really good one. It's a solid value at 82^nd overall.

Tiernan: B

Analysis: Overall, the Vikings needed to add offensive line depth, and they got it with Tiernan. He profiles similarly to Blake Brandel: tackle in college, but more of an interior player at the NFL level. He's a plus athlete, but the lack of length will be an issue. This is also a good value pick for the Vikings, as Tiernan ranked 67^th on the consensus board.

Thomas: C-minus

Analysis: This was a big reach for the Vikings on the consensus board, as Thomas ranks 177^th overall. What he does well is point and shoot as a blitzer.

Bredeson: B

Analysis: The addition of Frank Smith as assistant head coach was a massive signal that he'd want his version of Alec Ingold. Bredeson is going to be a versatile player who can be a positive on special teams and maximize the running game. Plus, he can be a blocker on third downs, something they don't have.

Demmings: A

Analysis: This might be my favorite pick in the draft. Demmings may have played in the FCS, but he was dominant at that level. He thrived at the Senior Bowl, showing that his ability wasn't a fluke against a higher level of competition. He's going to be a fun project for Flores to develop, and a great value pick overall.

Claiborne: C-minus

Analysis: He's a speed rusher who will provide juice to a room that needs it. Here's where I differ from most people: I don't see Claiborne as a top-two running back long-term, and I especially don't love the process of trading a sixth in 2027.

Gerhardt: B-minus

Analysis: This is an interesting pick. Gerhardt is a four-year starter who has played 3,374 snaps for the Bearcats. He's a decent athlete with experience at the position, and it offers the Vikings another option at center.

Mike Renner of **CBS Sports** (Rounds 1-3)

Banks: D

Analysis: Banks is the most prodigious physical talent in this defensive tackle class. At 6-foot-6, 327 pounds with an over 7-foot wingspan, when he fires off low into contact, he's nearly impossible to block. The worry is that we never saw it consistently before his 2025 season was cut short with a foot injury that required surgery. He then had another foot surgery after an injury suffered during the combine week. That's a big swing for the Vikings to take at 18.

Golday: A

Analysis: Golday went to the perfect scheme for his skill set. He's a former edge-rusher who moved off-ball at Cincinnati. He can range sideline-to-sideline while still looking like an edge rusher. His pass-rushing prowess will be perfect for Brian Flores' scheme.

Orange: B-plus

Analysis: Orange is the perfect penetrating nose tackle for a scheme like the Vikings, where gap control is secondary to havoc creation. That's what he's uniquely capable of doing for a 322-pounder.

Tiernan: A

Analysis: Tiernan is the Day 2 swing tackle that I would trust the most to start tomorrow in the NFL. That's exactly what the Vikings need after their injury woes last season.

Thomas: C-plus

Analysis: Thomas is a crazy, explosive athlete who plays with no fear. He's going to attack what he sees. He's just a really rough tackler out in space.

Josh Edwards of **CBS Sports** (Rounds 4-7)

Bredeson: C-plus

Analysis: Bredeson is an H-Back type who can inflict punishment in the run game. There isn't much upside to this pick, but he fills a role.

Demmings: B-minus

Analysis: Demmings is one of the rare small school players who found his way into this draft class. Demmings had some fans regarding his handling of the pre-draft process, and the Vikings had a need at cornerback.

Claiborne: A-minus

Analysis: Claiborne is a smaller back with breakaway speed. The Vikings obviously love his potential, having traded a future pick for the right to select him.

Gerhardt: C-plus

Analysis: Minnesota will have a new center in 2026 (after Ryan Kelly retired) and get a longer look at Gerhardt in the seventh round.

BY DAY

Charles McDonald of **Yahoo! Sports**

Day 1: A-minus

Analysis: This might be the highest grade on Banks you'll see, but this guy can really do all the hard stuff in terms of defeating blocks and understanding leverage within a true top-1 percent athletic frame. The injury and lack of finishing makes him a risky pick, but he does so many other things at a high level.

Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of **USA TODAY**

Day 1: C

Analysis: It's easy to see the appeal of Banks, a 6-foot-6, 327-pound interior force with unparalleled explosion off the ball. Yet Banks has been waylaid by multiple foot injuries in the last year, and staying healthy could be a considerable concern. Banks also struggles to finish plays as a tackler once he gets in range of a ball carrier. There's massive upside here for him to thrive in Brian Flores' scheme, but this could also go awry if Banks can't become a consistent performer.

Chad Reuter of **NFL.com**

Overall: B

Day 1: B-plus

Analysis: I projected Banks to the Vikings in my five-round mock because of their dire need at defensive tackle after the departures of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. Banks is a top-20 talent when healthy because of his amazing combination of size and agility. There is risk, however, [associated with injury].

Day 2: C-plus

Analysis: Golday could be a solid starter because of his toughness and athleticism, but there were players of better value available. Minnesota's lack of depth on the defensive line led them to pick a second DT in "Big Citrus." In most drafts, a run-stuffer like Orange would be a Day 3 selection, but a lack of talent up front pushed him up boards. Tiernan should become a solid swing tackle for the Vikings, and Thomas is a physical player picked ahead of [externally] higher-rated safeties Kamari Ramsey and Zakee Wheatley.

Day 3: A-minus

Analysis: I love Bredeson going to the Vikings as a potential replacement for valued fullback C.J. Ham, who retired this year, though Bredeson was picked a bit earlier than I thought he'd be, given his injury history and the position's value. The fifth-rounder received from Philadelphia for quarterback Sam Howell turned into an excellent value in Demmings, who has the size and athleticism to be an NFL starter despite the lower level of competition he faced in college. Claiborne's the speed back Minnesota needed to boost its running back production; he deserved to be picked at least one round earlier. The Vikings should have added a center and a wideout in this draft, but they waited until Round 7 for Gerhardt and did not select a receiver.

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.