2026 Vikings Mock Draft: Minnesota's J.J. McCarthy lands new weapon

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The 2025 NFL regular season has come to a close. While the vibes are high surrounding the Minnesota Vikings, as they rattled off five straight wins to close the season, their draft pick is lower than expected, as they are confirmed in the 18th overall slot. In a draft class that is top-heavy but lacks quality depth, hitting on their early picks is vital. In this mock draft, I believe we achieved this in spades.

Let's take a look at how this edition pans out:

Round One, Pick 18: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

T.J. Hockenson's production took a massive hit this season, but it is worth noting that his pace of play isn't where it once was, too. Kenyon Sadiq, the draft's top tight end prospect, would be a perfect fit for this offense, as he is fast enough to play underneath and stretch the field, freeing up the middle for Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Tight end might not be a top priority, but the position is the safety blanket for young quarterbacks, and could be just what the doctor ordered for J.J. McCarthy.

Round Two, Pick 49: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Safety, Toledo

A group of five prospects whom I am very high on, as seen in previous drafts, is Emmanuel McNeil-Warren out of Toledo. With the expected retirement of Harrison Smith, there will be a massive hole in the secondary that McNeil-Warren could fill quite nicely.

Round Three, Pick 82: D'Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana

NFL teams have been burned in recent years with smaller cornerbacks who are physical, but D'Angelo Ponds is a great candidate to break that mold. Ponds is an aggressive tackler in run support, which would take pressure off these interior linebackers. Great hips, smooth backpedal, and spatial awareness are pluses for Ponds. He would thrive in zone coverage but can hold his own in man coverage, too.

Round Three, Pick 97: Nicholas Singleton, RB, Penn State

His stock may have taken quite a hit this season, but Penn State's Nicholas Singleton still belongs among the top running back prospects in this class. A struggling offense for the Nittany Lions was to blame for his dipping stock, but his breakaway speed, paired with plus vision and his ability to always fall forward, are just what this offense could use in 2026.

Round Five, Pick 158: Parker Brailsford, C, Alabama

Parker Brailsford entered the year among the top center prospects in the country. However, inconsistent play and struggles against defenders with longer wingspans were apparent on tape in 2025. Brailsford is a bit undersized for the position at just 290 lbs, but his ability to anchor and drop his weight makes him worth bringing in and cleaning up his footwork.

Round Seven, Pick 232: Xavier Nwankpa, S, Iowa

Now it is time for the dart throws, and we throw another dart at Xavier Nwankpa. We've touched on him previously, but finding depth in this secondary is important, as there are plenty of questions surrounding this room entering this offseason.

Round Seven, Pick 235: Josh Thompson, OG, LSU

A former right tackle, Josh Thompson, out of LSU, makes his money in the run game. A physical mauler who always finds a way to the next level, Thompson needs to clean up his hand placement in pass protection and sharpen his footwork. Thompson needs time to develop NFL-level traits, but he has something to him that makes him intriguing.

Round Seven, Pick 239: Eric Gentry, LB, USC

Depth, depth, depth. That's the name of the game here. Eric Gentry, out of USC, is someone who will likely be played as a tweener in training camp, as his frame (6'6, 225 lbs) allows him to play linebacker but potentially drop into coverage as a roaming safety. Gentry is quicker than fast, and punches above his weight. His lack of tenacity will be something to be discussed this offseason.

Round Seven, Pick 242: Reggie Virgil, WR, Texas Tech

Our last pick of this Minnesota Vikings mock draft is a big-play threat out of Texas Tech. Reggie Virgil has speed for days and could be converted into a return man to pair with Myles Price. Virgil averaged 19.9 yards per reception in 2024 and showcased that game-breaking ability in 2025.

This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: 2026 Vikings Mock Draft: QB J.J. McCarthy lands new weapon

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