PurplleGold'S MOCK DRAFT
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PurplleGold'S MOCK DRAFT
RUN ON FEB 24, 2026

Mock1

  • PurplleGold DRAFTING FOR THE
    Vikings
Draft Selections
Jeremiyah Love Head Shot
PICK: 18 RND: 1 (MIN)
Jeremiyah Love
RB Notre Dame
Dillon Thieneman Head Shot
PICK: 49 RND: 2 (MIN)
Dillon Thieneman
S Oregon
D'Angelo Ponds Head Shot
PICK: 82 RND: 3 (MIN)
D'Angelo Ponds
CB Indiana
Connor Lew Head Shot
PICK: 97 RND: 3 (MIN)
Connor Lew
C Auburn
Draft Grade — Vikings
Overall B
ValueA NeedB+ TradesB- FutureB-
The Vikings won the night they stopped Ponds from sliding. Grade: B.

You could see the war room lean forward. D'Angelo Ponds at No. 82 is the sort of fall that does not happen, except it just did.

They punted on quarterback, and it is the miss that keeps the grade honest. They went 3 of 8 on their needs, which is most of what a draft is for. Almost all the early capital went to that side of the ball.

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

Pick Analysis
Pick18 Rnd1 Jeremiyah Love
In the 18th overall pick they get an every-down engine for the run game, and a steal at that. A real need, handled.
Pick49 Rnd2 Dillon Thieneman
Dillon Thieneman at the Round 2 slot is money in the bank, a safety taken below his worth. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
Pick82 Rnd3 D'Angelo Ponds
D'Angelo Ponds in pick No. 82 is a gift, value that borders on unfair. A minor itch, scratched.
Pick97 Rnd3 Connor Lew
You do not let an offensive lineman like Connor Lew reach pick 97 and blink. They did not. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.