Even though Sam Darnold signed with the Seattle Seahawks back in March, the Minnesota Vikings are still reaping benefits from his departure. According to Over The Cap projections, the Vikings are in line to receive a third-round compensatory pick in the 2026 NFL Draft as a result of Darnold’s exit.
This would be the second consecutive year the Vikings are awarded a third-round compensatory pick following the loss of a veteran quarterback — the first coming after Kirk Cousins joined the Atlanta Falcons last offseason.
Sam Darnold isn’t the only departure helping the Vikings’ draft outlook
Along with the projected third-rounder for Darnold, Over The Cap also anticipates Minnesota will receive a fifth-round compensatory pick for the loss of offensive tackle Cam Robinson, who left the team this offseason.
Robinson was acquired last October in a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars after left tackle Christian Darrisaw suffered a torn ACL. The Vikings only gave up a conditional 2026 fifth-round pick in that deal. If the condition holds and remains a fifth-rounder, Minnesota essentially rented a starting-caliber tackle without giving up meaningful draft capital — a strong value play given their injury situation at the time.
As it stands, the Vikings are projected to hold seven picks in the 2026 NFL Draft:
•1st-round pick
•2nd-round pick
•3rd-round pick
•3rd-round compensatory pick
•4th-round pick
•5th-round compensatory pick
•7th-round pick
That number could still change before the 2026 draft rolls around, especially with general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah known for actively wheeling and dealing draft picks throughout his tenure.
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