The Minnesota Vikings currently sit at the 18th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. This is a far cry from their projection around a month ago. They were hovering around the 10th overall pick before a 4-game win streak.
At one time, this was a team that looked prime to take a top name like Jeremiyah Love. Now, it’s less clear on what Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and company will do in April. There are obvious needs like cornerback, but they are now likely out of the range for a guy like CB Mansoor Delane out of LSU.
Pro Football Focus had them taking Tennessee corner Jermod McCoy in a recent mock draft. The publication has released a new attempt at predicting the first round, however, Minnesota shifts their focus in this one.
PFF Predicts Vikings to Take Defensive Interior Lineman
GettyAUSTIN, TEXAS – DECEMBER 21: Peter Woods #11 of the Clemson Tigers hugs Head coach Dabo Swinney following the game against the Texas Longhorns in the Playoff First Round Game at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on December 21, 2024 in Austin, Texas. Texas defeated Clemson 38-24. (Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images)
With the 18th overall pick in this 2026 NFL Mock Draft, PFF has the Minnesota Vikings taking a defensive-interior lineman. In this exercise, it’s Peter Woods out of Clemson.
PFF justifies the prediction:
“The Vikings haven’t gotten what they were hoping for in run defense from veterans Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen in 2025. Both players are also in their early 30s, so the addition of someone like Clemson’s Peter Woods could be a smart long-term play. Woods endured a bit of a down year in 2025, but he earned PFF overall grades above 83.0 in each of his first two seasons. So the elite potential is there to be unlocked.”
With Javon Hargrave being a cut candidate going into 2026, this selection makes sense. Peter Woods could be a good fit on a Vikings defensive line needing youth.
Woods was given 2025 First-Team All-ACC honors after a solid season for the Tigers. His explosiveness and fluidity for his size is noticeable, packing promising potential for any NFL team willing to spend the capital on him.
A Welcome Addition to a Defense Needing Youth
GettyCLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 30: Defensive tackle Peter Woods #11 of the Clemson Tigers warms up before the game against the LSU Tigers at Memorial Stadium on August 30, 2025 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Katie Januck/Getty Images)
Woods would be a welcome addition to a Vikings defense needing young talent. Minnesota is hoping to have Brian Flores back next year, and Woods would fit in nicely. The Vikings could absolutely go corner, but a good pass rush could cover up a patch-work secondary.
Whichever way it shakes out, it does seem likely that Minnesota will go on the defensive side of the ball in the first round. They have enough offensive playmakers to go around for J.J. McCarthy, so it’s understandable to think they’ll try to bolster up the defense.
The only question is whether or not Brian Flores will be the one calling the plays for it next year.
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