The weather this week can't make up its mind, but at least there's one certainty: football is in the air.
On Thursday, Vikings rookies — nine draft picks and 19 undrafted players — are reporting to Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance in anticipation of hitting the grass Friday alongside free-agent rookies and veterans trying out at the club's rookie minicamp, which entails a 90-minute practice open to the media.
It's the first time we'll see what Minnesota's efforts produced during and after the 2026 NFL Draft, and a glimpse at who may become central pieces to the franchise's season in a few months, and years to come.
Making predictions is part of the excitement, and it's exactly what Sports Illustrated's Daniel Flick did Wednesday. A main question atop his mind … Who will emerge as each team's best first-year player?
Flick casted predictions for the league's 32 teams and didn't take the easy route of 32 first-rounders, either.
In fact, the Vikings are one of 16 clubs that Flick thinks will benefit greatly from a non-Day 1 pick in 2026. Flick addressed Minnesota selecting Florida product Caleb Banks at 18, then made his case for the 82nd pick.
The Vikings had an interesting draft, swinging big on defensive [lineman] Caleb Banks in the first round and double-dipping on the interior with [Domonique] Orange. Both could start Week 1, and while Banks has game-wrecking potential, Orange is a safe bet to execute his role at a high level — the 6' 2", 322-pounder clogs lanes as well as any defensive tackle in the class. Another name to monitor here is third-round safety Jakobe Thomas, who could play significant snaps if Harrison Smith opts for retirement.
Flick did a good job circling the impact that Orange, aka "Big Citrus," may make in Year 1, while drawing attention to Banks and Thomas, the team's fifth Top 100 pick (98th) this cycle and fourth defender added.