With the Super Bowl LX matchup set in stone, the 2026 NFL Draft will arrive before we know it.

As such, we're kicking off the unofficial start of "draft season" by returning our Mock Draft Tracker series, which rounds up what experts on the subject are thinking about Minnesota's prospective first-round pick — No. 18 — (and occasionally in later rounds) between now and the April event happening this year in Pittsburgh.

The external consensus about the Vikings heading into 2026 is they could benefit by shoring up the secondary with the addition of a cornerback or safety — and same for the interior of the defensive line.

Minnesota also is a favorite destination in some mocks for a game-changing running back or a wide receiver that can strengthen a relatively deep room that includes pending unrestricted free agent Jalen Nailor.

It's premature to have a good feeling about what the Vikings might actually do come draft day, so let's instead just take a gander at the not-so-distant history of the pick and the caliber of player drafted there.

Here's a rundown of the teams and players recently matched with the 18^th overall pick in the draft:

Seattle selected OL Grey Zabel in 2025; Cincinnati chose OL Amarius Mims in 2024; Detroit drafted LB Jack Campbell in 2023; Tennessee took WR Treylon Burks in 2022; Miami decided on EDGE Jaelan Phillips in 2021 and OL Austin Jackson in 2020; and Minnesota nabbed OL Garrett Bradbury at pick No. 18 in 2019.

(Note: Vikings center Ryan Kelly was picked 18^th by the Indianapolis Colts in 2016.)

Before Bradbury, who made 88 starts spanning six seasons for Minnesota and will be the starting center for New England in the forthcoming Super Bowl, the Vikings picked Wisconsin defensive end Erasmus James in 2005 and North Carolina State cornerback Dewayne Washington in 1994 in the 18^th overall slot.

In a comparable spot, Minnesota has landed the likes of Gold Jackets Alan Page (15^th in 1967) and Randall McDaniel (19^th in 1988), as well as durable linebackers Fred McNeill (17^th in 1974) and Chad Greenway (17^th in 2006) and playmaking defensive back Joey Browner (19^th in 1983) and show-stopping running back Robert Smith (21^st in 1993). Of course, two of the franchise's most iconic receivers, Randy Moss and Justin Jefferson, were drafted in that ballpark too — 21^st in 1998 and 22^nd in 2020, respectively.

In other words, there have been sweet pros drafted in the area Minnesota is scheduled to pick this year.

Thus, here's an early look at players floated as potential Vikings fits, according to NFL Draft mavens across the web. This first iteration of the Mock Draft Tracker series features 10 unique picks out of 12. Cornerbacks Avieon Terrell of Clemson and Brandon Cisse of South Carolina are options touted twice.

Blake Brockermeyer of CBS Sports

Jan. 26

Brockermeyer projects at No. 18: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

I'm not a big fan of projecting a first-rounder who didn't play a snap in 2025, but this is a weak year for corners. Jermod McCoy has good length, the ability to play man coverage and should be fully healthy in 2026. He shows a smooth backpedal, quick route breaks and excellent hands.

Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball

Jan. 20

Campbell projects at No. 18: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

Cisse was an impressive cover corner for South Carolina in 2025. He had 27 tackles with an INT, five passes batted, and a forced fumble. In 2024, he had 28 tackles with five PBUs. The 6-foot, 190-pounder has quality size to go with speed and athleticism. He could be a starting man corner in the NFL.

Josh Edwards of CBS Sports

Jan. 19

Edwards projects at No. 18: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

The younger brother of Falcons CB A.J. Terrell finds his home in the NFC. Terrell has delivered an insane number of turnover-worthy plays over the course of his three years at Clemson. He's responsible for three INTs and eight forced fumbles — much-needed production at a position of weakness for Minnesota.

Jaime Eisner of The Draft Network

Jan. 18

Eisner projects at No. 18: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

Why, Jeremiyah Love here? Aaron Jones, Sr., could be a cap casualty, and Jordan Mason has just one more year left on his deal. The Minnesota Vikings need a strong run game while they figure out their short- and long-term quarterback situation, and Love is an elite talent. If he is on the board, he's too good to pass up.

FOX Sports Research

Jan. 24

They project at No. 18: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

Tyson could easily go top 10 or 15 in this draft, depending on how badly teams want a receiver. While it might seem like a surprise for the Vikings to draft him, Jordan Addison is on the last year of his deal (not including the team's fifth-year option) and will likely command a big contract given his production as the second option over the past three seasons. Tyson is a big-bodied receiver at 6-2, 200 pounds, and he catches everything thrown at him. In two seasons with Arizona State, he caught 136 balls for 1,812 yards and a whopping 18 touchdowns.

Vinnie Iyer of Sporting News

Jan. 19

Iyer projects at No. 18: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

The Vikings need to go for a big, strong physical threat at the receiver to draw some attention away from Justin Jefferson on the outside, and Boston can do that with his toughness to catch balls in tight coverage.

Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com

Jan. 26

Jeremiah projects at No. 18: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

I'm higher on McNeil-Warren than some other people around the league, but I love his combination of size and explosive playmaking ability. He could help replace Harrison Smith if the soon-to-be 37-year-old does indeed retire.

Mel Kiper, Jr., of ESPN

Jan. 21

Kiper projects at No. 18: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

Delane would bring top-end ball skills and some really good coverage technique to Minnesota. The Vikings redid their cornerbacks room in 2025 free agency, but they still have depth problems behind Byron Murphy, Jr., and Isaiah Rodgers. Plus, Minnesota managed just eight interceptions this season (tied for sixth fewest). Well, over the past two campaigns, Delane has six picks and 18 pass breakups. That's impact production, and Coordinator Brian Flores would love to get a player such as Delane into his unit.

Charles McDonald and Nate Tice of Yahoo! Sports

Jan. 19

Tice projects at No. 18: A'Mauri Washington, DT, Oregon

The Vikings could add to any part of their defense, and I would understand. After signing veterans Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen to add some juice to their DL for 2025 (both are under contract for 2026) the Vikings add a player in Washington who can be a literal and figurative building block for them. Washington has emerged as another DT in this class who can hold the point of attack in the run game and bring some dynamic ability to get into the opponent's backfield. Pairing him with Jalen Redmond could create a fun interior duo that can be the tip of the spear for the Vikings defense for years to come.

Gordon McGuinness of Pro Football Focus

Jan. 19

McGuinness projects at No. 18: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

Terrell has secured PFF overall grades above 80.0 in each of the past two seasons and should be in contention to be the third CB off the board. Despite being on the lighter side, Terrell pairs his coverage abilities with run-support acumen, having earned an 85.2 PFF run defense grade this past season.

Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of USA TODAY

Jan. 19

Middlehurst-Schwartz projects at No. 18: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

Affording the secondary with a higher degree of flexibility might not seem like a pressing problem in Minnesota, but figuring out the right configuration is an important step to ensure the unit can operate in top form. Cisse's outstanding athleticism and quick-fire ability to close in on the ball would be put to immediate use by Brian Flores — so long as the defensive coordinator doesn't land a [head coach job].

Dalton Wasserman of Pro Football Focus

Jan. 26

Wasserman projects at No. 18: Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State

Minnesota features several veteran interior pass rushers, but Jalen Redmond was the only DT on the roster to post at least a 60.0 run-defense grade in 2025. McDonald would provide immediate value on early downs after leading all interior defenders in run-defense grade (91.2) and run stops (30) this year.

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