Full Breakdown
Vikings Bolster Line and Secondary with Day 2 Draft Picks
4/26/2026, 1:09:05 PM
Day 2 Draft Selections: Tiernan and Thomas Join Minnesota
On the second day of the 2026 NFL Draft, Minnesota selected five players. In the third round the Vikings took Northwestern offensive tackle Caleb Tiernan at No. 97 and Miami safety Jakobe Thomas at No. 98. Earlier picks included defensive tackle Caleb Banks (Florida, No. 18), linebacker Jake Golday (Cincinnati, No. 51) and defensive tackle Domonique Orange (Iowa State, No. 82). The two final selections address depth on the offensive line and in the secondary, positions the team identified as priorities.
Background & Draft Strategy
The No. 98 pick arrived via the Jonathan Greenard trade with Philadelphia, which also delivered a 2027 third-rounder. The No. 97 selection came from a compensatory pick earned after Sam Darnold left the Vikings in free agency. Front-office comments framed the moves as “smart investments” to add depth and develop future starters.
Player Profiles & Statistical Overview
- Caleb Tiernan – 6 ft 7 in, 323 lb left tackle; 44 collegiate starts at Northwestern; praised for run-blocking technique and pass-protection awareness.
- Jakobe Thomas – 6 ft 1 in, 211 lb safety; 5 interceptions, 3.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 11 passes defended in 16 games at Miami; earned an 89.1 PFF coverage grade.
- Jake Golday – 6 ft 5 in, 240 lb linebacker; 13 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 5 passes defended, 3 forced fumbles; 4.62-second 40-yard dash, 39-inch vertical; PFF run-defense grade 90.6.
- Domonique Orange – Nose-tackle; recorded 55 pressures (including 17 on 176 pass-rush snaps) despite only one career sack; noted for occupying double teams.
- Caleb Banks – Defensive tackle selected in the first round; specific collegiate statistics were not detailed in the sources.
Official Statements & Team Outlook
Vikings staff member Kevin O’Connell highlighted each prospect’s fit: he described Golday as “a really good tackler” who can provide edge depth, praised Orange as a “big-bodied nose tackle … difficult to move,” and noted Tiernan’s “great size and good feet” that may offset arm-length concerns. O’Connell also called Thomas “a great fit as a safety” and emphasized his football IQ. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores was reported to be “excited” about Thomas’s aggressiveness and communication skills, suggesting the safety could contribute immediately on special teams while developing into a defensive starter.
Criticism & Opposition
Analysts flagged Tiernan’s unusually short arms and small hands as potential limitations, raising the possibility of a guard conversion. Thomas was labeled a “reach” on the consensus board (ranked 177) and critics noted his limited production at a Power-Five program and a tendency toward mistake-prone aggression.
Conflicting Rankings & Gaps
- Tiernan appeared at No. 67 on Arif Hasan’s consensus board, indicating perceived value.
- Thomas’s consensus rank of No. 177 contrasts with his Day 2 selection, creating a clear discrepancy.
- No official projection was provided for Tiernan’s eventual position (tackle vs. guard), and detailed performance metrics for Banks and Orange remain sparse.
Future Outlook: Remaining Draft Capital
The Vikings retain five selections: Round 5 picks 159 and 163, and Round 7 picks 234, 235, and 244. Media speculation suggests the remaining picks could target a running back, cornerback, or additional edge-rusher, especially after the departure of Jonathan Greenard.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Based upon his size and length and football instincts, IQ, he's a really good tackler, we think he can give us some snaps on the edge,” — Kevin O’Connell, Vikings coach
- “We found it incredibly valuable to add really a big-bodied nose tackle that has already put on tape, at a very consistent level, the ability to be a very difficult guy to move in there," O'Connell said.” — Kevin O’Connell, Vikings coach
- “I would file Jakobe under the category of, in many ways, a great fit as a safety in our defense,” — Kevin O’Connell, Vikings coach
- “It's not an arm length competition on the field, it's a physicality competition,” — Caleb Tiernan, drafted offensive tackle
- “And any time I line up against somebody else with an opposite-color jersey on, they're taking food out of my mom's mouth.” — Jakobe Thomas, drafted safety
