We should have known a batch of physical players was on its way to the Vikings when we learned Executive Vice President of Football Operations Rob Brzezinski began the 2026 NFL Draft Weekend by having breakfast with Vikings Ring of Honor linebacker and former scout/personnel exec Scott Studwell.
Brzezinski had overlapped with Studwell in Minnesota’s front office for nearly two decades until Studwell retired at the end of the 2019 NFL Draft and appreciated the opportunity to start his Thursday (in a different role than past years) by reconnecting with the franchise’s all-time leading tackler.
What followed was the addition of two massive defensive linemen, a tall off-ball linebacker with great intrigue, a mammoth tackle and a safety, who while returning a pick for a touchdown waved an opponent toward him before lowering a boom, with Minnesota’s first five selections.
The physicality continued Saturday with a fullback who helped a national title run and a spirited corner, followed by a speedy running back and a sizeable center to round out the selections.
We’ve got a lot to get to in this behemoth of a Mailbag, so I’ll simply list the nine-player draft class and head for the questions. We’ll have more draft-related content this week and early next week before excitedly hosting Vikings rookie minicamp (open practice expected on May 8).
Vikings 2026 NFL Draft Picks
Round 1, 18th overall: Caleb Banks, DL, Florida
Round 2, 51st overall: Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
Round 3, 82nd overall: Domonique Orange, DL, Iowa State (“Big Citrus”)
Round 3, 97th overall: Caleb Tiernan, T, Northwestern
Round 3, 98th overall: Jakobe Thomas, S, Miami
Round 5, 159th overall: Max Bredeson, FB, Michigan
Round 5, 163rd overall: Charles “Chuck” Demmings, CB, Stephen F. Austin
Round 6, 198th overall: Demond Claiborne, RB, Wake Forest
Round 7, 235th overall: Gavin Gerhardt, C, Cincinnati
