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Nov 6, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; Minnesota Vikings players gather to celebrate after safety Harrison Smith (22) intercepted a pass in the fourth quarter against the Washington Commanders at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports.<\/p>\n
” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/USATSI_19375238.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/USATSI_19375238.jpg”> Pro Football Focus<\/em> is already peeking ahead at the 2026 NFL Draft, when the Minnesota Vikings will possess a mostly full draft cabinet \u2014 unlike 2025 \u2014 plus two or three compensatory draft picks.<\/p>\n Pro Football Focus<\/em> found the Vikings\u2019 top concern for the long haul. Here\u2019s what that site said and why it\u2019s a fair point.<\/strong><\/p>\n Outwardly, the Vikings don\u2019t have oodles of long-term roster needs, but per PFF, one spot will need some love next April.<\/p>\n And that\u2019s at safety.<\/p>\n With little mystery, the folks at Pro Football Focus<\/em> believe the Vikings need a safety after this season. <\/strong><\/p>\n PFF\u2019s Trevor Sikkema sized one area from each NFL team that will need attention in 2026, and for Minnesota, safety got the nod.<\/p>\n ” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=666,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/USATSI_21672810.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/USATSI_21672810.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=666,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/USATSI_21672810.jpg” alt=”Vikings DC Brian Flores on the sideline against Bears at Soldier Field.”> \u201cSafety room. Franchise legend Harrison Smith is back for another season, but the 36-year-old may not be far from retirement. Josh Metellus will start next to him, but he is entering the final year of his contract before void years. Metellus also earned just a 52.2 PFF coverage grade last season. One or both might need to be replaced for 2026,\u201d Sikkema explained<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Vikings have 2023 draft pick Jay Ward, who showed promise with an 89th-ranked 63.0 PFF overall grade in 2024, but they could look to make a major splash through a very good 2026 safety class.\u201d<\/p>\n For the most part, Sikkema\u2019s observation is a fair concern.<\/p>\n Camryn By<\/a>num<\/a> left the Vikings three months ago, and he\u2019s not coming back, signing a $60 million contract over four years with the Indianapolis Colts.<\/p>\n ” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/USATSI_24542536.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/USATSI_24542536.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/USATSI_24542536.jpg” alt=”Harrison Smith looks on pregame against Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium.” > Harrison Smith, meanwhile, opted to return for another season, easing the short-term pain at safety. He\u2019s back in the saddle for Year No. 14.<\/p>\n But this campaign is probably Smith\u2019s last, and indeed, Minnesota will need a replacement place \u2014 probably why PFF is on the case.<\/p>\n Of course, Vikings life will be easier if Theo Jackson<\/a>, who will take over for Bynum, plays like a legitimate starter in 2025. Minnesota is betting big on Jackson, while paying low, affording the unsung veteran safety a chance to break out this season.<\/p>\n ” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Theo-Jackson.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=727,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Theo-Jackson.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Theo-Jackson.jpg” alt=”Vikings safety Theo Jackson on the field during NFC wild card vs. Rams.”> Jackson has flashed in limited playing time through three seasons. Participating in over 1,000 defensive snaps over 17 games in a brand new ball of wax.<\/p>\n If Jackson is productive, the safety roster need slows to a whimper. <\/p>\n Thankfully, and generally speaking, good safeties aren\u2019t quite like left tackles, for example. Right now, Minnesota could sign Justin Simmons, Marcus Williams, or Julian Blackmon from free agency, and any safety fears would be dead.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also more plausible to find starting safeties later <\/em>in the draft, meaning a Round 1 pick in 2026 won\u2019t be mandatory.<\/p>\n Safeties are important, but the position is not premium. <\/p>\n For the Green Bay Packers\u2019 long-term concern, Sikkema opined, \u201cLong-term outlook at wide receiver. Jayden Reed and Matthew Golden are the Packers\u2019 only two starting receivers who should confidently be part of the team\u2019s plans in 2026. Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs are both unrestricted free agents next offseason, while Dontayvion Wicks is a restricted free agent (although his 18.0% drop rate last season gives Green Bay little reason to retain him if he doesn\u2019t improve in 2025).\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEven after spending a first-round pick on a receiver in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Packers could be on the hunt for one again in 2026.\u201d<\/p>\n ” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/USATSI_22203670.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/USATSI_22203670.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/USATSI_22203670.jpg” alt=”Packers TE Tucker Kraft runs after catch as Vikings\u2019 Josh Metellus defends.”> He also delivered one for the divisional-frontrunning Detroit Lions. <\/p>\n \u201cWill Aidan Hutchinson get back to form? Look, it hurts to even type it out. Hutchinson has been on a tear as a pass rusher basically since his junior season at Michigan. Before his season-ending injury in 2024, he boasted an absurd 95.0 PFF pass-rush grade and 38.3% pass-rush win rate \u2014 both by far the top marks among edge defenders,\u201d Sikkema wondered.<\/p>\n \u201cAll reports indicate that he\u2019s good to go for 2025, but it is worth monitoring if he can quickly return to his elite form. The Lions have built their entire pass-rush plan around him, so the hope is that he can pick up where he left off last season.\u201d<\/p>\n The Lions are expected to win the NFC North<\/a>, according to oddsmakers, followed by the Packers, the Vikings, and the Bears in last place. <\/p>\nFootball What the Vikings Should Target in the 2026 Draft per PFF<\/h2>\n
Safety Is the Long-Term Need per PFF<\/h3>\n
Oct 15, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores watches his team play against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n
Harrison Smith\u2019s Last Hurrah<\/h3>\n
Oct 20, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) looks on before the game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
Theo Jackson Is the Hinge<\/h3>\n
Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings safety Theo Jackson (26) against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.<\/p>\n
Good News? Safeties Are Easy to Find<\/h3>\n
PFF on NFC North Rivals\u2019 Concerns<\/h3>\n
Dec 31, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (85) runs after the catch against the Minnesota Vikings safety Josh Metellus (44) in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.<\/p>\n
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