What happened: The Minnesota Vikings have signed eight of their nine selections from the 2026 NFL Draft class, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. First-round defensive tackle Caleb Banks is among those under contract. Second-round pick Jake Golday is the lone unsigned member of the class.

Why it matters: Getting rookies signed before training camp avoids holdouts and lets coaches install schemes without contract distractions. The Vikings are leaning on this draft class to backfill a defense that just shed veteran salary, including the recent trade of EDGE Jonathan Greenard to Philadelphia that saved $34M in cap space. Banks in particular projects as a Day 1 rotational piece on the interior.

What to watch: Watch for Golday's deal to close before rookie minicamp, and for the NFL schedule release on May 14 to set Minnesota's 2026 slate.