The Minnesota Vikings had the No. 51 overall pick in the second round of the 2026 NFL draft after trading with the Carolina Panthers, and they used it to select linebacker Jake Golday out of Cincinnati.
The Vikings, of course, also had the No. 18 selection in the first round of the draft, and they used that slot to officially select defensive tackle Caleb Banks of the Florida Gators. So, Golday marks the second big decision the Vikings have made in the draft. Actually, it’s the third, if you count the trade down.
“Minnesota selected former Cincinnati linebacker Jake Golday with the 51st overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft on Friday night, providing defensive coordinator Brian Flores another puzzle piece after the team drafted former Florida defensive lineman Caleb Banks at 18 on Thursday,” the team said in a statement following the pick.
Get to Know Minnesota Vikings’ Newest Player, Jake Golday
Golday started his college career at Central Arkansas and played his last two seasons at Cincinnati. In 2025 alone, he recorded 105 tackles (39 solo), including six for a loss, 3.5 sacks, three passes defended and a forced fumble, according to NFL research. He was also crowed a First-Team All-Big 12.
Golday’s official NFL draft profile calls him a “big, explosive linebacker with a game best suited for work near the line of scrimmage. He attacks climbing blockers with heavy, aggressive hands. He also shows the strength to stack, compress gaps and finish with authority.”
On the flipside, “While his performance at the point of attack stands out, he can be a little late diagnosing play design and needs to work with a more preemptive downhill trigger at times.”
With the proper training and such, there’s no doubt that Golday can excel with the Minnesota Vikings.
Reaction has been lukewarm to the pick. “Wow. I’m so excited. Not. So far I grade both guys as massive reaches,” one follower said on X. “They should have kept their pick and drafted Ponds,” another added. “Golday is decent but there are other need,” one more said.
Reaction to Minnesota Vikings’ Caleb Banks Pick in Round 1
People have had a day to digest the Vikings’ selection of Banks, and the response is mixed. The strongest criticism of Banks is that the player was out for nearly the full 2025-26 season in Florida.
That’s concerning, but he had a strong showing in 2024, notching 21 tackles and 4.5 sacks, according to ESPN research. He’s also 6-foot-6 and 327-pounds, so he’s huge.
In a piece out on Friday, April 24, Chad Reuter of the NFL’s official website gave the move a B+. He says the player fits the Vikings “because of their dire need at defensive tackle after the departures of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave.”
“Banks is a top-20 talent when healthy because of his amazing combination of size and agility,” he adds in the feature. “There is risk, however, given that he missed time this season with injury and was reportedly hurt at the NFL Scouting Combine.”
So, up until now in the draft, the Vikings’ moves have gotten both positive and negative responses. But, hopefully by fall, it will make sense why the franchise went with these moves.
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