Overview
- Harrison Smith has not announced whether he will retire or return, following Monday's ESPN team-by-team questions that listed his status as Minnesota's top issue.
- Minnesota released Smith on March 11 in a procedural move and told him he is welcome back if he chooses to play in 2026.
- The Vikings passed on Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman in Round 1 and took Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks, then added Miami safety Jakobe Thomas with pick No. 98 in Round 3.
- Head coach Kevin O’Connell said the team is giving Smith space to decide and joked he might bug him, stressing the respect Smith has earned.
- If Smith stays away, Brian Flores can turn to Josh Metellus, Jay Ward, and Theo Jackson, though replacing a 14-year starter with 203 starts would test the group.