, wide receiver Bru McCoy (5), and quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) surround running back Dylan Sampson (6) in celebration after Sampson’s touchdown during an NCAA college football game against Alabama on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Knoxville. Tenn. © Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/USATSI_25088589.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=885,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/USATSI_25088589.jpg”><figcaption><span>Tennessee offensive lineman Cooper Mays (63), wide receiver Bru McCoy (5), and quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) surround running back Dylan Sampson (6) in celebration after Sampson’s touchdown during an NCAA college football game against Alabama on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Knoxville. Tenn. © Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.</span></figcaption></figure>
<p>The 2026 NFL Draft is a little over two months away, and <a href=)
opinions on who teams should draft are rife. Here at Vikings Territory, we are interested in potential draft picks for the Minnesota Vikings. With their 18th overall pick, there are several potential options. I look at three in particular that come with asterisk – or boom or bust potential.
Three First-Round Options Come with Questions for Vikings
There are very few “can’t miss” prospects in this class, and the few that are there aren’t going to be on the board at 18. A lot of the top players have significant questions in their scouting reports. There are three of these players who have alluring upside but also concerns that must be addressed, and I believe the Vikings should look at them closely.
Jermod McCoy (Cornerback), Tennessee
Jermod McCoy has phenomenal tape that warrants a high draft selection, and the Vikings’ search for a lockdown CB1 has been ongoing for years. McCoy has been one of the best coverage corners in college football since he arrived on the scene. However, there are some injury concerns. McCoy missed the entire 2025 season with a torn ACL that he suffered in an offseason workout last January.
 reacts after gaining control of a fumble during the second quarter at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. © Stephanie Amador / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/USATSI_24879862_168394844_lowres.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=871,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/USATSI_24879862_168394844_lowres.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/USATSI_24879862_168394844_lowres.jpg” alt=”Vikings first-round targets” ><figcaption>Tennessee defensive back Jermod McCoy (3) reacts after gaining control of a fumble during the second quarter at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. © Stephanie Amador / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images</figcaption></figure>
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<p>A full recovery in time for the NFL Combine and a big week there, both on the field and in medical testing, could put McCoy out of reach for the Vikings at 18, such is his talent. If he does slide to 18, do the Vikings take the risk? It’s a big question, and who else is also on the board always has a say in the matter, and we won’t know that until the day. McCoy is an exceptional talent and worth the risk associated with injury history if you can get him.</p>
<p><strong>Kenyon Sadiq (Tight End), Oregon</strong></p>
<p>If the Vikings decide to move on from TJ Hockenson, then they could be in the market for the top TE in this year’s draft. That is unanimously, Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq, who is expected to become the fifth TE to go in the first round over the past four drafts. He doesn’t come quite as highly rated as any of Dalton Kincaid, Brock Bowers, Colston Loveland, or Tyler Warren.</p>
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Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.
