Inside The Vikings

10 Senior Bowl Standouts Who Could Be Minnesota Vikings Draft Targets

These draft prospects shined last week in Mobile, AL, and could be fits for the Vikings.
Will Ragatz|
Jan 28, 2026; Mobile, AL, USA; National Team defensive tackle Lee Hunter (10) of Texas Tech practices during National Senior Bowl practice at Hancock Whitney Stadium.
Jan 28, 2026; Mobile, AL, USA; National Team defensive tackle Lee Hunter (10) of Texas Tech practices during National Senior Bowl practice at Hancock Whitney Stadium. | Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

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Minnesota Vikings

The 2026 Senior Bowl wrapped up on Saturday with the annual showcase game, which followed three days of practice in Mobile, AL. The Vikings had plenty of scouts, coaches, and executives in attendance last week (including since-fired general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah) at one of the premier events on the pre-draft calendar.

Attention now turns toward the NFL scouting combine, which begins in Indianapolis in three weeks. But before we get there, let's take a look at 10 standouts from Senior Bowl week who could make sense as Vikings draft targets in late April.

Jake Slaughter, C, Florida

The Vikings will mostly likely be in the market for a new center after moving on from Ryan Kelly, who suffered three concussions last year and has minimal guaranteed money left on his contract. They'll have options in free agency, but it could also be a position they choose to address in the draft. One such target could be Slaughter, who was a three-year starter for the Gators and had a strong week in Mobile.

Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech

Hunter was one of the top-performing defensive tackles at the Senior Bowl. The 6'4", 320-pound nose tackle was a key part of the Red Raiders' elite defense this past season after transferring from UCF. In his last three college seasons, he recorded 31 tackles for loss and 74 QB pressures. In a new mock draft from ESPN's Matt Miller, Hunter was the pick for the Vikings at No. 49 overall in the second round. He might end up being taken in the first round.

Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

Another DT standout in Mobile who could be a first-round pick in a few months is Banks, who is a truly massive human at 6'6", 335. He only played in three games this season due to injury, but he had a big 2024 with 4.5 sacks and a couple forced fumbles. The Vikings could use another big body in the middle of their defensive line, especially if they part ways (as expected) with either Jonathan Allen or Javon Hargrave for cap reasons. Banks could be on their radar at pick No. 18.

Jadyn Ott, RB, Oklahoma

Ott ran for 42 yards and a touchdown in the American Team's 17-9 win over the National Team on Saturday. During the week of practices, he moved well and also looked good in pass protection drills. Ott had a strange college career; he hardly played last season at Oklahoma and wasn't great in 2024 at Cal after ripping off nearly 1,500 total yards and 14 TDs as a sophomore in 2023. He's one of many running backs the Vikings could consider in this draft.

Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU

Nussmeier was named MVP of Saturday's game and helped himself more than any other quarterback in Mobile. He's got some size and durability concerns, but he also showed off quite a bit of arm talent last week and during his strong 2024 season. The Vikings probably aren't going to draft a QB this year, but Nussmeier is worth a mention because nothing should be fully off the table. He'll likely be taken at some points in rounds 2-4.

Kevin Coleman Jr., WR, Missouri

The best wide receiver in Mobile, by all accounts, was Notre Dame's Malachi Fields. But the Vikings seem unlikely to use one of their top two picks on a receiver, so he may not be a realistic option for them. An intriguing player they could target in the third round or later would be Coleman, who looks like a solid complementary piece as a 5'10" slot receiver.

Tanner Koziol, TE, Houston

It seemingly wasn't a great week for the tight ends at the Senior Bowl. One name worth keeping in mind, especially if the Vikings part ways with T.J. Hockenson this offseason, is Koziol, who measured in at nearly 6'7". The Ball State transfer posted a 74-727-6 receiving line last year for the Cougars. His height and leaping ability gives him quite the catch radius.

Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech

Rodriguez was one of best players in the country in 2025, finishing fifth in Heisman Trophy voting. He showed why during Senior Bowl practices by flying around the field and creating multiple turnovers. Takeaways are what he does; Rodriguez had seven forced fumbles and four picks last season. If the Vikings for some reason are unable to retain Eric Wilson in free agency, Rodriguez would be a fun addition in the middle rounds.

Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State

Cornerback is and will continue to be a popular pick for the Vikings in the first round of mock drafts, with three names standing out above the rest. One player who the Vikings could target in the second round would be Johnson, who impressed in coverage drills over the week. He had four interceptions last season and was the highest-graded draft-eligible corner in the country (per PFF).

Bud Clark, S, TCU

Harrison Smith seems likely to retire this offseason, but the good news for the Vikings is it's not a bad year to need a safety in the draft. Toledo's Emmanuel McNeil-Warren and Oregon's Dillon Thieneman are two possible targets, but Clark is a name to know who helped his stock in Mobile. He was at TCU for six years and had 15 interceptions over the last four seasons, which led the nation during that span.

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Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

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