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Vikings Draft Safety Jakobe Thomas with 98th Pick

5/6/2026

Summary

Vikings Draft Thomas

The Vikings chose safety Jakobe Thomas with the 98th pick in the 2026 Draft.
The selection came via the Jonathan Greenard trade with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Analyst Will Ragatz compared Thomas to Texans safety Jalen Pitre.
Thomas posted five interceptions, 14 pressures in college and could start if Harrison Smith retires.
The Vikings also drafted RB Demond Claiborne in the sixth round, noting his receiving skill and potential third-down play.

Summary

Vikings Defense Draft

Vikings' 2026 draft was defense-heavy, with five of nine picks defensive, including the first three selections.
Analysts ranked the nine picks, putting Domonique Orange #1 and Max Bredeson #9.
Coaches expect rookie defensive tackle Caleb Banks to log about 582 snaps.
Jake Golday is slated for 95 snaps, 13 tackles and special-teams work, while fullback pick is seen as least valuable because an undrafted free agent could fill the role.

Summary

Vikings Cap Space

The Vikings’ nine rookie contracts total $13,298,768, leaving $5,333,768 in 2026 cap space.
Each rookie receives a base salary of $885,000, with signing bonuses creating varied cap hits.
After June 1, releases of Jonathan Allen and Harrison Smith add $12.5 million, giving the Vikings enough room to pursue veteran free agents, a result of interim GM Rob Brzezinski’s draft strategy and Over The Cap data compiled by analyst Tyler Forness.

History

Historical Context

When the NFL instituted its first salary-cap in 1994, Commissioner Paul Tagliabue mandated a $34.6 million limit for each franchise. The Minnesota Vikings, owned by Zygi Wilf, trimmed payroll that year by releasing veteran linebacker John Randle, saving $2.3 million in cap space. Similarly, the 2026 draft strategy of interim GM Rob Brzezinski, featuring nine rookie contracts totaling $13.3 million, mirrors that historic cap-management approach. Both eras illustrate how disciplined drafting and veteran releases create fiscal flexibility, enabling teams like the Vikings to pursue free agents and sustain competitiveness.

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Vikings Draft Thomas

The Vikings chose safety Jakobe Thomas with the 98th pick in the 2026 Draft.
The selection came via the Jonathan Greenard trade with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Analyst Will Ragatz compared Thomas to Texans safety Jalen Pitre.
Thomas posted five interceptions, 14 pressures in college and could start if Harrison Smith retires.
The Vikings also drafted RB Demond Claiborne in the sixth round, noting his receiving skill and potential third-down play.

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