Vikings Wanted Second-Rounder For Jonathan Greenard; Finances Played Role In Trade To Eagles
After several weeks of rumors, the Vikings and Eagles pulled off a trade involving edge defender Jonathan Greenard on Day 2 of the draft. The Eagles sent two third-rounders to the Vikings for Greenard and a seventh.
Minnesota and Philadelphia “heavily discussed” a Greenard trade in mid-March, but talks stalled over the Vikings’ asking price, Adam Schefter of ESPN said during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. The Eagles initially offered a third-rounder, but the Vikings held out for a second-rounder. They reached a compromise over a month later.
Greenard spent the first couple months of the offseason hoping for a raise, but the Vikings “weren’t going to pay him,” Schefter says. That had nothing to do with frugality on the part of Vikings ownership, according to interim general manager Rob Brzezinski (via Kevin Seifert of ESPN).
“We want to make it perfectly clear that this has nothing to do with us or [owners Zygi and Mark Wilf] not wanting to spend money or cutting back in any way, pulling back the reins on our spending,” Brzezinski stated. “We have just spent so much money the last several years that it’s not sustainable for us to move forward. Our salary cap situation has been very, very challenging.”
Brzezinski isn’t wrong. As Seifert notes, the Vikings spent $100MM-plus over the cap from 2024-25 under former GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, whom they fired in January. They were around $50MM in the red entering this offseason, but the Vikes now have approximately $10.74MM in effective cap space after the Greenard trade and the rest of their moves. While they have gotten themselves into better financial shape, Brzezinski admitted trading Greenard is “something that we understand is not making the Minnesota Vikings a better team today.”
The Vikings were not in position to hand Greenard a raise, but the Eagles quickly gave the 28-year-old pass rusher his coveted extension. It is technically a four-year, $100MM deal with $50MM in guaranteed money, but it may end up as a two-year pact. The Eagles will be able to escape the contract after the 2027 season, per OverTheCap. In releasing Greenard before June 1, 2028, the Eagles would save around $1.69MM while taking on a $14.11MM in dead money. Designating Greenard a post-June 1 release would be more beneficial, as it would yield $11.09MM in savings and $4.70MM in dead cap.
Chiefs, Seahawks, Vikings Showed Interest In RB Jonah Coleman
The Broncos ended up making Jonah Coleman this year’s fourth running back drafted. Not viewed as an RB class overflowing with talent, this year’s crop featured two first-rounders (both out of Notre Dame) and just one RB chosen on Day 2 (Indiana’s Kaelon Black, who went to the 49ers).
Denver chose the Washington product with the first of two fourth-round picks (No. 108), doing so after spending extensive time with him during the pre-draft process. The Broncos used a “30” visit on Coleman and, according to his college running backs coach (ex-NFL RB Scottie Graham), and frequently contacted the Huskies to discuss the back.
They were not the only team to show a decent amount of interest in the standout Big Ten rusher. Graham said (via the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson) the Chiefs, Seahawks and Vikings showed a good amount of interest in Coleman before the draft. No trade-up ended up being necessary for Coleman, however, and the Broncos have acquired some near-future insurance on J.K. Dobbins and likely a longer-term RJ Harvey running mate.
“They called a number of times and asked a lot of questions,’’ Graham said of the Broncos, via Tomasson. “They’d sometimes call a couple of times in the same day and they wanted to know intimate things about his family. You’re not going to ask some of the questions they did unless you want him. They wanted me to tell them something that nobody knows about him. Then they’d call back again. I said, ‘Jonah, you’re probably going to Denver.‘”
Teams obviously do considerable research on numerous prospects, but Graham also worked with current Broncos defensive line coach Jamar Cain at Arizona State. Cain has known Coleman since he was 16, per Tomasson, serving as the Sun Devils’ recruiter in the area where the RB grew up (Stockton, Calif.).
Each of the rumored Coleman suitors left the draft with RB picks. The Seahawks addressed their need by taking Jadarian Price at No. 32 overall, doing so after a first-round trade-down move fell through. The Chiefs traded up for Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson in Round 5; the Vikings chose Wake Forest’s Demond Claiborne in Round 6.
The Broncos included Dobbins in their re-signing spree, giving him a two-year deal worth $16MM. Dobbins’ $8MM guarantee nearly quadrupled his 2025 salary, representing an interesting decision considering the productive RB’s injury history. Dobbins added to that medical sheet with a Lisfranc issue last season, costing him seven regular-season games and both Broncos playoff contests. The Broncos still placed a high priority on retaining Dobbins, though it appeared he was the team’s second choice (possibly third). Denver made what was believed to be a strong offer to Travis Etienne and was connected to Breece Hall before the Jets franchise-tagged him. Rather than a pricier back, the Broncos ended up with Dobbins and his likely successor.
Coleman transferred from Arizona to Washington in 2024 but was a regular in both teams’ backfields. After an 871-yard sophomore year with the Wildcats, Coleman totaled 1,053 rushing yards in 2024 and 758 in ’25. Last season brought a Big Ten-leading 17 touchdowns for the 5-foot-8, 220-pound back. He added 354 receiving yards in 2025.
Harvey, a 2025 second-rounder, should remain in the Alvin Kamara-like role in Sean Payton‘s offense. Dobbins will presumably enter 2026 in the Mark Ingram spot, as he was a top-five NFL rusher when he suffered his foot injury last year. While Coleman may well be Dobbins’ successor — no guarantees are on the veteran’s deal for 2027 — The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider notes a short-yardage role might be available to the rookie this season.
Although the Broncos re-signed both Tyler Badie and Jaleel McLaughlin, they are unlikely to retain both on their 53-man roster. The team also rosters fullback Nate Adkins, leaving one (or perhaps zero) spots for Badie or McLaughlin now that Coleman is on the team. The team needed McLaughlin — a fourth-year UDFA — more after Dobbins’ injury, but his path to playing time has since narrowed.
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/29/26
Wednesday’s midweek minor moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: FB Ben VanSumeren
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed franchise tender: WR George Pickens (story)
Detroit Lions
- Signed: LB Joe Bachie, DT Jay Tufele
Kansas City Chiefs
- Received international exemption: T Chukwuebuka Godrick
- Waived: RB ShunDerrick Powell
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: DT Leki Fotu
Los Angeles Chargers
- Received international exemption: TE Thomas Yassmin
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: DT Eric Johnson II
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: TE Harrison Bryant
The Seahawks are adding some depth in their tight ends room by bringing in the former Mackey Award winner out of FAU. Seattle relied heavily on a two-man crew featuring AJ Barner and Elijah Arroyo until a knee injury placed the second-round rookie, Arroyo, on injured reserve for most of the rest of the team’s Super Bowl run. When Arroyo went down, veteran Eric Saubert came in to supplement Barner with minimal contributions from undrafted Minnesota rookie Nick Kallerup.
In his rookie year, Bryant looked like he might displace David Njoku as TE2 behind Austin Hooper in Cleveland. He found himself third in the pecking order in Year 2, but returned to TE2 duties, this time behind Njoku, after Hooper was no longer on the team.
DT Jaleel Johnson Retires
Jaleel Johnson will not return to the NFL in 2026. The veteran defensive tackle has retired at the age of 31, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson notes.
Johnson entered the league in 2017. He played out his rookie contract as a member of the Vikings, taking on a larger defensive workload with each passing season. Johnson operated as a full-time starter during his final Minnesota campaign, and his 654 snaps that season wound up being the most of his career during a single year.
During his first foray into free agency, Johnson joined the Texans on a one-year deal. He did not survive roster cuts but still wound up making 12 appearances with Houston in 2021. During the ensuing years, Johnson found himself bouncing on and off practice squads while serving in a depth capacity. The former fourth-rounder split his time between the Texans and Falcons in 2022.
That was followed by a brief stint with the Titans. Johnson spent the 2023 campaign in Tennessee, alternating between time on the active roster and the team’s practice squad. The Iowa product managed 12 games played that season, but he did not receive any contracts (or take any known visits with interested teams) after that point. Johnson remained unsigned deep into the spring, and with the draft now in the books he will not be seeking out an opportunity to land with a team during training camp, as was the case in 2024.
Despite never delivering standout production against the run or pass, Johnson amassed 90 combined regular and postseason appearances across a career which spanned seven years. He has officially retired with just over $5.5MM in total earnings.
Vikings Sign 19 UDFAs
The Vikings had six UDFAs make at least 10 appearances in 2025 (WR Myles Price, LB Tyler Batty, LB Chaz Chambliss, OL Joe Huber, TE Ben Yurosek, LB Austin Keys). The team will be hoping for similar success in 2026, as Minnesota has added 19 undrafted free agents to their squad. The list includes:
- Marcus Allen, CB (North Carolina)
- Da’Veawn Armstead, CB (North Texas)
- Dillon Bell, WR (Georgia)
- Jordan Botelho, OLB (Notre Dame)
- Tyreek Chappell, CB (Texas A&M)
- Monkell Goodwine, DL (South Carolina)
- Shaleak Knotts, WR (Maryland)
- Keli Lawson, LB (UCF)
- Tristan Leigh, OL (Clemson)
- Delby Lemieux, OL (Dartmouth)
- Kejon Owens, RB (Florida International)
- Tomas Rimac, OL (Virginia Tech)
- Marcus Sanders Jr., WR (Georgia Southern)
- Cam’Ron Stewart, OLB (Temple)
- Jacob Thomas, S (James Madison)
- Brett Thorson, P (Georgia)
- Arden Walker, OLB (Colorado)
- Scooby Williams, LB (Texas A&M)
- Luke Wysong, WR (Arizona)
Of the 19 Vikings signings, four of them came at the wide receiver position. Georgia Southern’s Marcus Sanders Jr. is coming off the most productive 2025 campaign of the bunch, as the wideout hauled in 50 catches for 797 yards and five touchdowns. He entered the season having tallied only 35 catches through his first three collegiate seasons.
Luke Wysong is another intriguing addition. The receiver had a standout campaign at New Mexico in 2024, finishing with 840 receiving yards. However, his counting stats took a step back after he transferred to Arizona for the 2025 campaign, when he finished with only 278 receiving yards. Any of the UDFAs could push for a roster spot in a WRs room that lacks convincing depth behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
Interestingly, the Vikings added one of college football’s top punters in Brett Thorson. The Georgia product is coming off a 2025 campaign where he earned the Ray Guy Award, given to the nation’s top player at the position. Thorson finished the campaign placing 23 punts inside the 20 while averaging 4.38 seconds of hang time. He’ll be joining a depth chart that’s currently led by Johnny Hekker. The veteran signed with the Vikings last month following a 2025 campaign in Tennessee that saw him average 40.3 net yards per punt.
Vikings To Meet With WR Jauan Jennings
Another wave of free agency is set up to commence. Teams’ signings of unrestricted FAs no longer count toward the 2027 compensatory formula, a transition that annually reignites the market. One high-profile free agent is seeing interest reemerge as a result.
Jauan Jennings‘ price point was believed to be misaligned with his value, but the recent 49ers wide receiver contributor entered free agency as one of the top pass catchers available. Nearly two months after hitting the market, Jennings will make a visit. The Vikings are set to meet with him over the next two days, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets.
PFR’s No. 18-ranked free agent, Jennings is the only member of our top 45 FAs unsigned (Joey Bosa — No. 46 — is the other top-50 player yet to join a team). The 49ers were interested in re-signing Jennings, but he is no longer in play for the team. San Francisco has since added Mike Evans, Christian Kirk and second-rounder De’Zhaun Stribling to its receiver room, one that still includes 2024 first-round pick Ricky Pearsall.
With Pearsall battling injuries again in 2025 and Brandon Aiyuk missing the full season due to his 2024 ACL tear (and dispute with the team), Jennings became a key 49ers playmaker over the past two seasons.
He filled in well for Aiyuk in 2024, accumulating 975 receiving yards. Last year, Jennings added 643 yards and a career-high nine touchdowns. These numbers were out of step with his two-year, $11.89MM deal. The former seventh-round pick pursued a raise during the 2025 offseason but settled for a late-summer incentive package.
A quality blocker who has moonlighted as a gadget quarterback (two postseason TD passes), Jennings is running out of time to cash in on his recent 49ers contributions. The Tennessee alum will turn 29 this summer, making this an important offseason on the contract front. But it is clear teams did not view the Kyle Shanahan charge as an impact free agent; potential offers have not satisfied Jennings. It is possible the 212-pound receiver will need to accept a one-year “prove it” deal. That will come with risk considering the 2027 offseason will bring Jennings’ 30th birthday.
On the surface, the Vikings do not look like the best option for Jennings to generate 2027 FA attention. Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison reside as the team’s locked-in top receiving tandem, and Minnesota used a 2025 third-round pick on Tai Felton. The team did not draft a receiver this year, however, and lost WR3 Jalen Nailor to a three-year, $35MM Raiders contract.
Coming from the Shanahan offense would stand to help Jennings acclimate to Kevin O’Connell‘s Minnesota attack, but it would not surprise to see the seventh-year veteran take more visits to determine the best fit. If a “prove it” deal is in the cards, Jennings will need to choose carefully since next year might be the point of no return with regards to the possibility of a lucrative free agency deal happening for him.
Rob Brzezinski Could Land Full-Time Vikings GM Position
Since Kwesi-Adofo Mensah‘s firing, the Vikings have opted to delay the search for his replacement. Rob Brzezinski handled interim general manager duties through free agency and the draft.
Minnesota’s attention will now turn to the matter of the front office. The hiring cycle for most GM candidates has of course long ended, but the team’s actions in the near future will be key. Brzezinski may find himself handling general manager duties on a full-time basis, with CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reporting he is a “strong candidate for the permanent job.”
Interestingly, Jones add Brzezinski might also wind up securing a promotion as a result of the Vikings’ GM search. Minnesota could add a general manager from outside the organization but set up a reporting structure which includes Brzezinski outranking the new arrival with a title along the lines of president of football operations. Alternatively, the team could simply maintain the status quo which has been in place since Adofo-Mensah’s firing, a move which ended his four-year run in charge.
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert writes the Vikings’ search is expected to be “open-ended,” adding Brzezinski should not be considered a “preferred candidate” at this point. Nevertheless, he adds Brzezinski has support from within the front office to secure the full-time GM gig. It will be interesting to see how many outside candidates receive a look before owners Zygi and Mark Wilf make a final call. Jones adds head coach Kevin O’Connell is likely to have input in the GM search, an unsurprising development given the weight his voice carries in the organization.
Brzezinski began his NFL front office career with the Dolphins before joining the Vikings in 1999. He has been with Minnesota since then, handling key roles in the football administration department through 2013. The following year, he took on the title of executive vice president of football operations. Brzezinski has remained in that role since then, with the exception of his current stint leading the front office. Whether or not he will continue doing so remains to be seen.
2026 NFL Draft Results: Team By Team
Here is every team’s haul from the 2026 NFL Draft:
Arizona Cardinals
- Round 1, No. 3: Jeremiyah Love (RB, Notre Dame)
- Round 2, No. 34: Chase Bisontis (G, Texas A&M)
- Round 3, No. 65: Carson Beck (QB, Miami)
- Round 4, No. 104: Kaleb Proctor (DT, Southeastern Louisiana)
- Round 5, No. 143: Reggie Virgil (WR, Texas Tech)
- Round 6, No. 183: Karson Sharar (LB, Iowa)
- Round 7, No. 217: Jayden Williams (T, Ole Miss)
Atlanta Falcons
- Round 2, No. 48: Avieon Terrell (CB, Clemson)
- Round 3, No. 79: Zachariah Branch (WR, Georgia)
- Round 4, No. 134 (from Raiders)*: Kendal Daniels (LB, Oklahoma)
- Round 6, No. 208 (from Bills via Jets and Raiders): Anterio Thompson (DT, Washington)
- Round 6, No. 215) (from Eagles)*: Harold Perkins (LB, LSU)
- Round 7, No. 231: Ethan Onianwa (T, Ohio State)
Baltimore Ravens
- Round 1, No. 14: Vega Ioane (G, Penn State)
- Round 2, No. 45: Zion Young (EDGE, Missouri)
- Round 3, No. 80: Ja’Kobi Lane (WR, USC)
- Round 4, No. 115: Elijah Sarratt (WR, Indiana)
- Round 4, No. 133 (from 49ers)*: Matthew Hibner (TE, SMU)
- Round 5, No. 162 (from Chargers): Chandler Rivers (CB, Duke)
- Round 5, No. 173*: Josh Cuevas (TE, Alabama)
- Round 5, No. 174*: Adam Randall (RB, Clemson)
- Round 6, No. 211 (from Broncos via Jets, Vikings and Eagles): Ryan Eckley (P, Michigan State)
- Round 7, No. 250: Rayshaun Benny (DT, Michigan)
- Round 7, No. 253: Evan Beerntsen (G, Northwestern)
Buffalo Bills
- Round 2, No. 35 (from Titans): T.J. Parker (EDGE, Clemson)
- Round 2, No. 62: Davison Igbinosun (CB, Ohio State)
- Round 4, No. 102 (from Raiders): Jude Bowry (T, Boston College)
- Round 4, No. 125 (from Bears via Chiefs and Patriots): Skylar Bell (WR, UConn)
- Round 4, No. 126: Kaleb Elarms-Orr (LB, TCU)
- Round 5, No. 167 (from Texans): Jalon Kilgore (S, South Carolina)
- Round 5, No. 181 (from Lions)*: Zane Durant (DT, Penn State)
- Round 7, No. 220 (from Jets): Toriano Pride Jr. (CB, Missouri)
- Round 7, No. 239 (from Eagles via Jaguars, Browns and Bears): Tommy Doman (P, Florida)
- Round 7, No. 241 (from Bears): Ar’maj Reed-Adams (G, Texas A&M)
Carolina Panthers
- Round 1, No. 19: Monroe Freeling (T, Georgia)
- Round 2, No. 49 (from Vikings): Lee Hunter (DT, Texas Tech)
- Round 3, No. 83: Chris Brazzell II (WR, Tennessee)
- Round 4, No. 129 (from Bears): Will Lee III (CB, Texas A&M)
- Round 5, No. 144 (from Titans via Panthers): Sam Hecht (C, Kansas State)
- Round 5, No. 151 (from Dolphins): Zakee Wheatley (S, Penn State)
Chicago Bears
- Round 1, No. 25: Dillon Thieneman (S, Oregon)
- Round 2, No. 57: Logan Jones (C, Iowa)
- Round 3, No. 69 (from Giants via Texans, Bills and Titans): Sam Roush (TE, Stanford)
- Round 3, No. 89: Zavion Thomas (WR, LSU)
- Round 4, No. 124 (from Jaguars via Panthers): Malik Muhammad (CB, Texas)
- Round 5, No. 166 (from 49ers via Eagles and Panthers): Keyshaun Elliott (LB, Arizona State)
- Round 6, No. 213 (from Seahawks via Jaguars, Lions and Bills): Jordan Van Den Berg (DT, Georgia Tech)
Cincinnati Bengals
- Round 2, No. 41: Cashius Howell (DE, Texas A&M)
- Round 3, No. 72: Tacario Davis (CB, Washington)
- Round 4, No. 128 (from Texans via Lions and Bengals): Connor Lew (C, Auburn)
- Round 4, No. 140 (from Bengals): Colbie Young (WR, Georgia)
- Round 6, No. 189: Brian Parker II (C, Duke)
- Round 7, No. 221 (from Giants via Cowboys): Jack Endries (TE, Texas)
- Round 7, No. 226: Landon Robinson (DT, Navy)
Cleveland Browns
- Round 1, No. 9 (from Chiefs): Spencer Fano (T, Utah)
- Round 1, No. 24 (from Jaguars): KC Concepcion (WR, Texas A&M)
- Round 2, No. 39: Denzel Boston (WR, Washington)
- Round 2, No. 58 (from 49ers): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S, Toledo)
- Round 3, No. 86 (from Chargers): Austin Barber (T, Florida)
- Round 5, No. 146: Parker Brailsford (C, Alabama)
- Round 5, No. 149 (from Bengals): Justin Jefferson (LB, Alabama)
- Round 5, No. 170 (from Broncos): Joe Royer (TE, Cincinnati)
- Round 6, No. 182 (from Jets via Browns, Jaguars, Raiders, Bills and Broncos): Taylen Green (QB, Arkansas)
- Round 7, No. 248 (from Seahawks): Carsen Ryan (TE, BYU)
Dallas Cowboys
- Round 1, No. 11 (from Dolphins): Caleb Downs (S, Ohio State)
- Round 1, No. 23 (from Eagles): Malachi Lawrence (EDGE, Central Florida)
- Round 3, No. 92 (from 49ers): Jaishawn Barham (EDGE, Michigan)
- Round 4, No. 112: Drew Shelton (T, Penn State)
- Round 4, No. 114 (from Falcons via Eagles): Devin Moore (CB, Florida)
- Round 5, No. 137 (from Eagles)*: LT Overton (EDGE, Alabama)
- Round 7, No. 218 (from Titans): Anthony Smith (WR, East Carolina)
2026 NFL Draft Results By Round
From the No. 1 overall pick to Mr. Irrelevant (No. 257), here are the results from the 2026 NFL Draft:
Round 1
1) Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza (QB, Indiana)
2) New York Jets: David Bailey (EDGE, Texas Tech)
3) Arizona Cardinals: Jeremiyah Love (RB, Notre Dame)
4) Tennessee Titans: Carnell Tate (WR, Ohio State)
5) New York Giants: Arvell Reese (LB/EDGE, Ohio State)
6) Kansas City Chiefs (from Browns): Mansoor Delane (CB, LSU)
7) Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles (LB, Ohio State)
8) New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson (WR, Arizona State)
9) Cleveland Browns (from Chiefs): Spencer Fano (T, Utah)
10) New York Giants (from Bengals): Francis Mauigoa (T, Miami)
11) Dallas Cowboys (from Dolphins): Caleb Downs, (S, Ohio State)
12) Miami Dolphins (from Cowboys): Kadyn Proctor (T, Alabama)
13) Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons): Ty Simpson (QB, Alabama)
14) Baltimore Ravens: Vega Ioane (G, Penn State)
15) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rueben Bain Jr. (EDGE, Miami)
16) New York Jets (from Colts): Kenyon Sadiq (TE, Oregon)
17) Detroit Lions: Blake Miller (T, Clemson)
18) Minnesota Vikings: Caleb Banks (DT, Florida)
19) Carolina Panthers: Monroe Freeling (T, Georgia)
20) Philadelphia Eagles (from Packers via Cowboys): Makai Lemon (WR, USC)
21) Pittsburgh Steelers: Max Iheanachor (T, Arizona State)
22) Los Angeles Chargers: Akheem Mesidor (EDGE, Miami)
23) Dallas Cowboys (from Eagles): Malachi Lawrence (EDGE, Central Florida)
24) Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars): KC Concepcion (WR, Texas A&M)
25) Chicago Bears: Dillon Thieneman (S, Oregon)
26) Houston Texans (from Bills): Keylan Rutledge (G, Georgia Tech)
27) Miami Dolphins (from 49ers): Chris Johnson (CB, San Diego State)
28) New England Patriots (from Texans via Bills): Caleb Lomu (T, Utah)
29) Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams): Peter Woods (DT, Clemson)
30) New York Jets (from Broncos via Dolphins and 49ers): Omar Cooper Jr. (WR, Indiana)
31) Tennessee Titans (from Patriots via Bills): Keldric Faulk (DE, Auburn)
32) Seattle Seahawks: Jadarian Price (RB, Notre Dame)
Round 2
33) San Francisco 49ers (from Jets): De’Zhaun Stribling (WR, Ole Miss)
34) Arizona Cardinals: Chase Bisontis (G, Texas A&M)
35) Buffalo Bills (from Titans): T.J. Parker (EDGE, Clemson)
36) Houston Texans (from Raiders): Kayden McDonald (DT, Ohio State)
37) New York Giants: Colton Hood (CB, Tennessee)
38) Las Vegas Raiders (from Commanders via Texans): Treydan Stukes (S, Arizona)
39) Cleveland Browns: Denzel Boston (WR, Washington)
40) Kansas City Chiefs: R Mason Thomas (EDGE, Oklahoma)
41) Cincinnati Bengals: Cashius Howell (EDGE, Texas A&M)
42) New Orleans Saints: Christen Miller (DT, Georgia)
43) Miami Dolphins: Jacob Rodriguez (LB, Texas Tech)
44) Detroit Lions (from Cowboys via Jets): Derrick Moore (EDGE, Michigan)
45) Baltimore Ravens: Zion Young (EDGE, Missouri)
46) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Josiah Trotter (LB, Missouri)
47) Pittsburgh Steelers (from Colts): Germie Bernard (WR, Alabama)
48) Atlanta Falcons: Avieon Terrell (CB, Clemson)
49) Carolina Panthers (from Vikings): Lee Hunter (DT, Texas Tech)
50) New York Jets (from Lions): D’Angelo Ponds (CB, Indiana)
51) Minnesota Vikings (from Panthers): Jake Golday (LB, Cincinnati)
52) Green Bay Packers: Brandon Cisse (CB, South Carolina)
53) Indianapolis Colts (from Steelers): C.J. Allen (LB, Georgia)
54) Philadelphia Eagles: Eli Stowers (TE, Vanderbilt)
55) New England Patriots (from Chargers): Gabe Jacas (EDGE, Illinois)
56) Jacksonville Jaguars: Nate Boerkircher (TE, Texas A&M)
57) Chicago Bears: Logan Jones (C, Iowa)
58) Cleveland Browns (from 49ers): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S, Toledo)
59) Houston Texans: Marlin Klein (TE, Michigan)
60) Tennessee Titans (from Bills via Bears): Anthony Hill Jr. (LB, Texas)
61) Los Angeles Rams: Max Klare (TE, Ohio State)
62) Buffalo Bills (from Broncos): Davison Igbinosun (CB, Ohio State)
63) Los Angeles Chargers (from Patriots): Jake Slaughter, C (Florida)
64) Seattle Seahawks: Bud Clark (S, TCU)
Vikings Acquire No. 198, Select RB Demond Claiborne
For the second time in a few minutes, the Patriots have traded down. The defending AFC champions traded No. 191 to the Jaguars and have now moved No. 198 to the Vikings.
Minnesota will send No. 234 and a 2027 sixth-round pick to New England, the Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed tweets. The Vikings are using the 198th choice on Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne.
Claiborne totaled just 14 carries in 2022, his first year with the Demon Deacons, before taking over as their lead back. He had a breakout season in 2024, a 12-game showing in which he rushed for 1,049 yards and 11 touchdowns on 228 attempts. Claiborne added another 254 yards and two scores on 23 catches.
Claiborne amassed fewer carries (179) in a dozen games last season as he dealt with ball security issues. While he finished with five fumbles, he put up 907 yards on 5.1 per tote and recorded 10 TDs. Claiborne also pulled in a personal-best 28 grabs, though his yardage total fell to 140 (a paltry 5.0 per reception).
The 5-foot-10, 188-pound Claiborne possesses 4.37 speed and is similar in size to Dolphins star De’Von Achane (5-9, 191). Between his athleticism and pass-catching skills, Claiborne is “low-calorie” version of Achane, Dane Brugler of The Athletic observes.
Claiborne will begin his NFL career behind Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason, but those two are only under contract for another year. That could give Claiborne a chance to carve out an important role in the Vikings’ offense in the near future.