Overview
- Minnesota used the 51st pick Friday, acquired from the Panthers, to select Cincinnati linebacker Jake Golday.
- The choice followed a first-round selection of Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks, signaling a defense-first draft under coordinator Brian Flores.
- Golday logged 105 tackles in 2025 with six for loss, 3.5 sacks and a First-Team All-Big 12 honor.
- He measured over 6-foot-4 and 239 pounds with a 4.62-second 40, a 39-inch vertical and a 10-foot-5 broad jump, and scouts highlight his power near the line.
- Evaluators also note slower play diagnosis that coaching can sharpen, and he joins a linebacker room with Ivan Pace Jr., Andrew Van Ginkel, Blake Cashman, Eric Wilson and Dallas Turner.