As the NFL postseason barrels ahead, the Minnesota Vikings-like the rest of the NFC North-are already looking toward the offseason. With the scouting combine just around the corner and free agency looming in early March, the next few months will be critical for a franchise looking to retool and reload. And then comes the NFL Draft, where general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah gets another shot at reshaping the roster-and perhaps the narrative around his draft acumen.
There’s no shortage of directions the Vikings could go in April. They’ve got needs across the board, and the mock drafts are already flying in.
But when Mel Kiper Jr. drops his first mock of the year, people pay attention. The ESPN draft guru has been doing this since the late '70s, and his projections are still a staple of every pre-draft cycle.
In his first mock draft of 2026, Kiper has the Vikings selecting LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane with the 18th overall pick. It’s a move that would address both a current need and a long-term concern in Minnesota’s secondary.
A Cornerback with Real Bite
Delane isn’t just a name rising up draft boards-he’s a legitimate difference-maker on the back end. After transferring from Virginia Tech to LSU for his senior season, Delane put together a strong campaign, finishing with 45 tackles, two interceptions, and All-American honors.
At 6'0", 190 pounds, he’s got the frame and length you want in a starting NFL corner. Add in fluid hips, smooth transitions, and impressive ball skills, and you’ve got a player who looks ready to contribute from Day 1.
Over the past two seasons, Delane has racked up six interceptions and 18 pass breakups. That’s production you can’t ignore-especially for a Vikings defense that managed just eight picks all season, tied for sixth fewest in the league. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores would love to get his hands on a player like this-someone who can press, track, and make plays on the ball in his aggressive scheme.
Where Things Stand in Minnesota’s Secondary
The Vikings reworked their cornerback room last offseason, but it still feels like a work in progress. Byron Murphy Jr. was brought in to be the CB1, but his play was inconsistent-Pro Football Focus graded him as the 71st-ranked corner in the league (58.5 overall). Isaiah Rodgers showed flashes in his first year with Minnesota, earning a solid 73.8 PFF grade, but beyond those two, the depth chart is murky at best.
That’s what makes Delane such an intriguing fit. He wouldn’t just be a depth piece-he’d have a real shot to start early and solidify a position group that’s lacked stability in recent years. And coming from LSU, a school known for churning out NFL-ready defensive backs, Delane brings both pedigree and polish.
Draft Flexibility Still Key
Of course, a lot can change between now and April. The Vikings have multiple needs, and how the board falls will ultimately dictate their move.
Kiper’s mock has tight end Kenyon Sadiq going 15th to the Buccaneers-one pick before Minnesota-which could take a potential target off the board. Another name that’s been linked to the Vikings, quarterback Ty Simpson out of Alabama, is projected to go 16th to the Jets in Kiper’s mock.
While the Vikings have spent recent capital on quarterbacks, there’s still lingering uncertainty around the position. But unless the front office falls in love with someone, it’s hard to see them going back to the well in Round 1. That said, if a player like Simpson is still available, it could force an interesting conversation in the war room.
Other names to keep an eye on-should the Vikings look elsewhere-include Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell, defensive tackles Peter Woods (Clemson) and Kayden McDonald (Ohio State), and Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor. All are projected to go after Minnesota’s pick in Kiper’s mock, but each could fill a significant need depending on how the offseason unfolds.
Bottom Line
Kiper’s early projection of Mansoor Delane to Minnesota checks a lot of boxes. It addresses a clear need, fits the defensive identity Brian Flores is building, and adds a high-upside player from a proven college program. The Vikings still have plenty of decisions to make this offseason, but if Delane is on the board at 18, he might be too good to pass up.