Brian Flores, Minnesota Vikings
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(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
The Minnesota Vikings‘ defense was one of the team’s promising aspects in the 2025 NFL season, serving as a catalyst to help the team end the campaign on a positive note. Moreover, Brian Flores is still the team’s defensive coordinator and will look to carry over that performance into the 2026 season.
Nonetheless, with the Vikings up against the cap, Minnesota has made significant free-agent additions to improve the defense. As a result, those improvements will need to come through the draft.
Moreover, ESPN’s Field Yates sees the Vikings using their second-round pick to give Flores additional pass-rush help, as he has Minnesota selecting former Penn State Nittany Lions star Dani Dennis-Sutton.
“Keep in mind that, as of right now, Jonathan Greenard’s status with Minnesota remains to be determined,”Yates said in a March 26 video on YouTube. “He wants a trade or a new deal. Neither has happened up to this point — Dani Dennis-Sutton, very large, athletic human.
“The flashes were really good this past season for a Penn State team that really fell off, obviously, but he was great against Oregon in a game that, at the time, was the kind of game we thought could define who makes the top four of the playoffs, right? That’s how much was on the line at that juncture. Big, physical, athletic pass rusher. A little tight, a little stiff at times here, but a guy that I think belongs in that mid-second round.”
During his four seasons at Penn State, Dennis-Sutton recorded 80 solo tackles, 46 assisted tackles, 23.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries, and two interceptions,per StatMuse. Moreover, he is coming off back-to-back 8.5 sack seasons.
Vikings Urged to Avoid Wideout Draft Prospect
Meanwhile, the Vikings hold the No. 18 pick and could go in several directions to fill holes on their roster for the 2026 season.
Nonetheless, FanSided’s Austen Bundy is warning the Vikings that if they do ponder a wideout, there’s one name they need to avoid: formerArizona State Sun Devils star Jordyn Tyson.
“With the departure of Jalin Nailor in free agency and the premature passing of Rondale Moore, the Vikingsare in need of a WR3,”Bundy wrote in his article thatwas published on March 21.“Jordan Addison ison the final year of his rookie contract and could get a hugepay day in free agency if Minnesota can’t afford his services. All of those circumstances make selecting a wide receiver in the first round very tempting…
“Minnesota should hold steady and address a different need at No. 18 rather than panic and take Jordyn Tyson. The Arizona State productis considered a first-round talent and probably will be selected in the first 32 picks. That being said, he suffered a staggering number of injuries in college including a torn ACL, MCL, PCL and a pulled hamstring. His numbers despite those are incredibly impressive but should Minnesota use its first round selection on a guy who poses the risk of reaggravating any of those ailments?”
Could Minnesota Land a Veteran Wideout?
Amid the Vikings needing a WR3, one former teammate of new Vikings QB Kyler Murray is offering his services to Minnesota as a reliable veteran for the third wideout role. Speaking to TMZ Sports, DeAndre Hopkins said he would like to reunite with Murray, whom he played with during his time with theArizona Cardinals.
“Kyler … that’s my bro, man. Kyler is like family,”Hopkins said in a TMZ article published on March 22. “Whatever I can do for someone like that — if Kyler needed me, if the Vikings need me, they know I’ll be there.”