The 2026 NFL draft is fast approaching, so it’s time to start looking at the Vikings’ draft options. Having previously looked at safety, we now turn our attention to another position that has been a popular choice in the mock drafts.
How Minnesota Can Attack DT across All Three Days
Defensive tackle is a position the Vikings need to strengthen, in terms of potential starters and depth. Here, we look at some of the Vikings’ draft options through the different rounds.
The Potential First Rounders
At one point, my 2026 Vikings draft crush, yet another injury heading into the combine has seen the excitement that was building for Caleb Banks. The talent is unquestionable; he wowed at the combine while carrying an injury, but his lengthy injury history (including multiple foot injuries) is a major red flag.
Banks can be a complementary pass-rush option early in his career, and can be a very good player in both phases if he can stay healthy. Right now, that is a big if, which makes pinpointing where he becomes good value in the draft difficult. I don’t think you can draft him at 18, but if the Vikings trade back, then he becomes an option.
Peter Woods offers an ideal blend of size, strength, and athleticism. His explosive first step and ability to convert speed to power make him disruptive at the line of scrimmage. He created a lot of pressures in college, but his pass-rush repertoire needs fine-tuning to make sure he turns those pressures into sacks – especially entering the pro ranks.
Woods was expected to be a top-half first-round pick entering the 2025 season, but after a disappointing year, his draft stock has fallen. He is also a player who becomes a better option if the Vikings trade back.
The most solid option of the potential first-rounder is Kayden McDonald. He is a big, powerful nose tackle who can be the cornerstone of the Vikings’ stout run defense. You know what you are getting with McDonald, which includes a limited pass-rush profile. For that reason, 18 is too high for him, so we are yet again looking at a trade back to make McDonald feel like a viable option.
Day 2 Represents Plenty of Good Options
A big argument for not drafting a DT in the first round is that the drop off on Day 2 isn’t too steep – all three of the listed potential first rounders may even make it to Day 2. Lee Hunter highlights the choices here, a player who showed steady improvement across four seasons.
He excels in run defense, but his improvement in pass-rush situations is what caught the eye over the past year and saw his draft stock climb.
Christen Miller is another round-two prospect with a strong frame, good length, and rare twitch for an interior defender. His quick first step, leverage, and processing ability make him a reliable run defender. He has raw power but needs to develop a pass-rushing skillset if he is to become a top player.
Another big guy in the middle is Domonique Orange. The Vikings have shown interest in the massive defensive line prospect during the pre-draft process. He has elite power potential, supported by impressive weight-room strength. He has first-step explosiveness; however, his hand speed and pass-rush finesse are limited.
He is the guy who can be the immovable object in the middle that the rest of the defensive line works around. Two more names to look out for in a similar mold on Day 2 are Darrel Jackson Jr and Rayshaun Benny.
The Best of the Rest On Day 3
Dontay Corleone, known as “The Godfather,” was one of the most dominant run defenders in 2022, using his size and strength to control the line of scrimmage. He also showed great pass-rushing skills early in his career, but the production faded in recent seasons. Four years on, and the outlook isn’t so good, and a blood clot issue in 2024 adds some concern. He offers rare quickness for a nose tackle and would be worth a gamble from the fifth round onwards.
A couple of other options at nose tackle worth looking at in the later rounds are Deonte Capehart and Tim Keenan. Capehart is a long, experienced defensive tackle, but he must use his length more consistently when stacking and rushing. Limited twitch and slower block-shedding cap his ceiling, though he can contribute as a rotational run defender. Keenan is a similar story whose strength and leverage make him a solid run defender who could be used in the rotation, but would need to develop his pass rushing to become more than that.
Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.