AveryCooks'S MOCK DRAFT
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AveryCooks'S MOCK DRAFT
RUN ON APR 23, 2026

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Mock drafts from AveryCooks

2026 FINAL MOCK

  • AveryCooks DRAFTING FOR THE
    Vikings
Draft Selections
Kayden McDonald Head Shot
PICK: 18 RND: 1 (MIN)
Kayden McDonald
DT Ohio State
Brandon Cisse Head Shot
PICK: 49 RND: 2 (MIN)
Brandon Cisse
CB South Carolina
Jadarian Price Head Shot
PICK: 82 RND: 3 (MIN)
Jadarian Price
RB Notre Dame
Taurean York Head Shot
PICK: 97 RND: 3 (MIN)
Taurean York
LB Texas A&M
Nate Boerkircher Head Shot
PICK: 163 RND: 5 (MIN)
Nate Boerkircher
TE Texas A&M
Dalton Johnson Head Shot
PICK: 196 RND: 6 (MIN)
Dalton Johnson
S Arizona
Jeff Caldwell Head Shot
PICK: 234 RND: 7 (MIN)
Jeff Caldwell
WR Cincinnati
Jadon Canady Head Shot
PICK: 235 RND: 7 (MIN)
Jadon Canady
CB Oregon
Jimmy Rolder Head Shot
PICK: 244 RND: 7 (MIN)
Jimmy Rolder
LB Michigan
Draft Grade — Vikings
Overall B-
ValueB NeedB- TradesB- FutureB-
Best value of the weekend goes to the Vikings for Caldwell: B-.

The best pick of the weekend was also the simplest. The Vikings watched Jeff Caldwell slide 41 picks past his grade and did not hesitate. Nothing here to lose sleep over; call it a B-.

The York reach is the anchor dragging on the value grade. The quarterback spot stays a question, and it was the one they most needed an answer at. The roster is better shaped than it was, with safety chief among the fixes.

In sum, a sturdy weekend with one asterisk, the quarterback spot they never got to.

Pick Analysis
Pick18 Rnd1 Kayden McDonald
In slot 18 they get a pocket-collapsing interior rusher at fair value. A real need, handled.
Pick49 Rnd2 Brandon Cisse
They let Brandon Cisse come to them and pounced at the 49th pick. Not urgent, but hardly pointless.
Pick82 Rnd3 Jadarian Price
A running back of that caliber at No. 82 is the definition of value, full stop. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
Pick97 Rnd3 Taurean York
They reached into another round for Taurean York, and the board is nowhere close to agreeing. It thickens a room that could stand to be thicker.
Pick163 Rnd5 Nate Boerkircher
Nate Boerkircher at the 163rd overall pick is right where the board had him, plain and simple. It fills a real need, too.
Pick196 Rnd6 Dalton Johnson
Dalton Johnson at the Round 6 slot is a clear overpay, with better names still on the board. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
Pick234 Rnd7 Jeff Caldwell
Circle this one: Jeff Caldwell at pick No. 234 is a fall that decides a draft. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.
Pick235 Rnd7 Jadon Canady
Jadon Canady at Round 7, Pick 19 is the sort of value that quietly wins a weekend. A want dressed up as a pick, at a spot they had covered.
Pick244 Rnd7 Jimmy Rolder
Nice patience on Jimmy Rolder, who had no business lasting to the 244th overall pick. Pure best-available; the position was not exactly begging.