Ranking Every Vikings Draft Class of the Last Decade: It's Not Pretty

Minnesota hit on stars like Justin Jefferson, Dalvin Cook, Brian O'Neill, and Christian Darrisaw, but there are far more misses than hits over the past 10 draft

Apr. 6, 2026 at 2:42pm

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The Vikings drafted so poorly over the past four years that no team in the league may be under more pressure to get the 2026 NFL Draft right than Minnesota. Former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, who was fired in January, hit on draft picks like wide receiver Jordan Addison and kicker Will Reichard, but his picks have been notoriously bad. However, as you'll quickly notice in the rankings below, fellow former general manager Rick Spielman wasn't exactly picking gems left and right between 2016 and 2021.

Why it matters

Minnesota's recent draft struggles have left the team with a roster in need of major upgrades, putting immense pressure on the new front office to nail the 2026 draft and set the franchise up for long-term success. The Vikings' inability to consistently find impact players through the draft has been a major factor in the team's up-and-down performance over the past decade.

The details

The article ranks the Vikings' draft classes from the last 10 years, with the 2022 class coming in at the bottom and the 2020 class featuring Justin Jefferson ranked as the best. The piece highlights both the hits and misses, with players like Dalvin Cook, Brian O'Neill, and Christian Darrisaw providing bright spots, while high draft picks like Laquon Treadwell, Garrett Bradbury, and Jeff Gladney failing to live up to expectations.

  • The Vikings drafted so poorly over the past four years.
  • Former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was fired in January 2026.

The players

Justin Jefferson

A star wide receiver drafted by the Vikings in the first round in 2020, he has been one of the team's best draft picks in the last decade.

Dalvin Cook

A running back drafted by the Vikings in the second round in 2017, he has been one of the best players in Vikings history.

Brian O'Neill

An offensive tackle drafted by the Vikings in the second round in 2018, he has been an excellent right tackle for nearly a decade.

Christian Darrisaw

An offensive tackle drafted by the Vikings in the first round in 2021, he has developed into a star player for the team.

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah

The former general manager of the Vikings who was fired in January 2026 after a poor run of draft classes.

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What’s next

The Vikings will look to bounce back from their recent draft struggles and nail the 2026 NFL Draft, which will be crucial in setting the franchise up for long-term success.

The takeaway

The Vikings' inability to consistently find impact players through the draft over the past decade has been a major factor in the team's up-and-down performance. The new front office faces immense pressure to get the 2026 draft right and set the franchise on a path towards sustained success.