The Minnesota Vikings are sitting at 5-0 heading into the bye, which is a pretty nice place to be. It also makes it just a little strange to start talking about the 2027 NFL Draft. But the future matters, and Minnesota’s roster still has some obvious places where another premium young player would make sense.
The big picture is pretty clear: the Vikings can keep winning now and still keep one eye on what comes next at interior offensive line, linebacker, and cornerback. Nobody can say where Minnesota will be picking yet, and a lot will change between now and then. But if the goal is to identify players who fit what Kevin O’Connell and Brian Flores want, a few names already stand out.
Greg Johnson, a Gophers offensive lineman, belongs near the top of that early conversation. He has played both guard and center this season, which matters for a team that could still use more youth and quality inside.
CBS Sports had Johnson 14th on its midseason 2027 draft board after he allowed just one pressure on his first 201 pass-blocking snaps of 2026. He likely ends up at guard, but the fact that he can move around gives him real value.
Minnesota already has Christian Darrisaw, Donovan Jackson, and Will Fries as key pieces up front, while Blake Brandel is currently at the top of the depth chart at center. Caleb Tiernan is another developmental option in the mix.
Even with that group, there’s room for the Vikings to get younger and stronger at center and across the interior. Johnson’s movement skills fit an O’Connell offense that wants linemen who can operate in space.
If he’s still there late in Round 1 or on Day 2, the match is obvious.
At linebacker, Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa looks like the kind of player Flores would have plenty of interest in. He’s not just a downhill tackler; he can affect the quarterback, handle the run, and move around the formation.
PFF’s October mock draft sent him to Minnesota at No. 30 and pointed to both his run defense and his blitz value. Through the early part of the season, he had missed only 7.7 percent of his tackle attempts and produced eight pressures on 18 pass-rushing snaps, according to PFF’s Vikings projection.
That kind of versatility is exactly why he fits here. Blake Cashman is useful, but he’s 30, and Eric Wilson is another veteran soaking up meaningful snaps.
Minnesota needs more young defenders who can disguise before the snap and attack from different spots. Viliamu-Asa could line up as a blitzer next to Dallas Turner, drop into coverage, or chase plays from the backside.
Flores loves defenders who make quarterbacks think twice, and this would give him another one.
Audavion Collins is the cornerback name worth filing away. Minnesota’s corner room has too often felt one injury away from another scramble, so adding a high-upside developmental player makes sense.
Right now, Byron Murphy Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers are the starters, with James Pierre as a key depth option. Rookie Charles Demmings adds another young piece, but the room still lacks the kind of blue-chip investment Minnesota has mostly passed on in recent drafts.
Collins brings a different look. CBS Sports ranked him 44th on its midseason board and pointed to his physical press coverage after he allowed only two catches for seven yards over the first part of 2026.
The sample is tiny, and it will grow. Still, the traits are what matter here.
Flores asks corners to hold up in isolated coverage when the pressure comes. A defensive back who can jam releases, carry receivers vertically, and bring some attitude at the line fits that job description.
If Collins keeps building on that tape, he could be right in Minnesota’s range on Day 2.
In Other News...
Twins Free Agency Comes With A Cost Fans Might Not Expect
As the Twins weigh their offseason shopping list, the numbers on the field are only part of the equation. The qualifying-offer system also shapes how much draft capital Minnesota is willing to give up, because bringing in a free agent tied to that tag can carry a real cost in the form of lost draft value and bonus-pool flexibility.
That matters in a bigger-picture way for a club trying to balance immediate help with long-term depth. The twist is that Minnesotas own roster decisions could feed back into that same system, with Ryan Jeffers one possible name to watch as the Twins plan for both the lineup and the draft board at the same time. [Read more 🡒]
Vikings Hot Start Isn't Ending One Debate About Their Quarterback
The Vikings strong start has not quieted every question around the quarterback position, especially with the offense still lagging behind the level of the defense. NFL Network analyst Kyle Brandt added to the conversation by expressing skepticism about Minnesotas postseason outlook, saying he does not see the team making a deep run if the passing game does not become more dependable under Kyler Murray.
Brandts concern was rooted in playoff pressure and Murrays history in that setting, an issue that tends to linger for teams built more on defense than aerial production. Minnesota has given itself room to dream with the way it has played early, but the debate around Murray remains unresolved, and it is the kind of thing that will follow the Vikings until they prove they can answer it in January. [Read more 🡒]
Randy Moss Is Back In The Spotlight With A New Jordan Tribute
Randy Moss is back in the conversation for more than his Hall of Fame rsum, this time through a Jordan Brand tribute that leans into one of the most recognizable parts of his football-era style. Moss, long tied to Jordan Brand, is being linked to an upcoming Air Jordan 9 "Super Freak" sneaker inspired by his original Air Jordan Super Freak shoe, with images of the design already circulating online and drawing plenty of attention.
The shoe nods to a player who always seemed to carry a little extra flair, and the timing only adds to the intrigue with Super Bowl season looming. For now, the buzz is built on those leaked looks and the connection to Mosss signature sneaker, leaving the bigger question of when the tribute will actually hit shelves still hanging in the air. [Read more 🡒]