The Minnesota Vikings face critical decisions in their safety room as they eye the 2026 NFL Draft. Veteran Harrison Smith, a likely Ring of Honor inductee, is returning for another season, but at 36, retirement looms. Josh Metellus, who performed inconsistently, is in the last year of his contract, making the safety position a potential early draft target for Minnesota. Despite promising flashes from 2023 draft pick Jay Ward, who posted a decent PFF grade, the Vikings may look to leverage a deep safety class in the 2026 draft to secure long-term solutions.

With Metellus's lackluster performance and Smith's age, the Vikings have an opportunity to rejuvenate their defense. The franchise's history of impactful safeties adds pressure to find worthy successors. This draft class could provide depth and talent to solidify a crucial position that has seen considerable turnover, highlighting the necessity for strategic planning as Minnesota looks ahead.