The NFL Draft is now only a couple of months away. At this point, the club could go in several different directions with their top pick, as the offseason is always unpredictable. One thing everyone in Vikings media agrees on is that the roster is a run-stuffing DT short. That guy could arrive via free agency or the Draft.
Leading up to the Scouting Combine, SI’s Justin Melo linked each franchise to an under-the-radar player they should watch at the Combine and he thinks that’s Missouri’s interior defender Chris McClellan.
He explained, “Defensive tackle is a mid-round need for Brian Flores and the Minnesota Vikings. Missouri’s Chris McClellan has massive measurements (6-3, 315, 34-inch arms, 11-inch hands) and feels like a player Flores will appreciate. The Vikings would be an outstanding fit, and that sentiment should grow stronger after the combine.”
The Vikings have a solid defensive line, and all of last year’s contributors are under contract for another season (once the Vikings pull the obvious lever to keep Jalen Redmond in the building).
Still, during the 2025 campaign, it became obvious they are a little light at the position, having prioritized quicker pass-rushers over stronger run defenders. McClellan could fill that void.
He started his career at Florida and transferred within the SEC ahead of the 2024 season. The physically imposing interior defender was credited with 48 tackles, 8 tackles for loss and 6 sacks in his second season at Missouri.
McClellan is expected to hear his name called early on Day 3 of the Draft, somewhere in the range of the 4th or 5th round. The Vikings could add another young defender to a room that has quietly restocked promising players in recent years.
The Vikings employ exclusive rights free agent and 2025 breakout star Jalen Redmond, as well as 2024 draftee Levi Drake Rodriguez and 2025 pick Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins. Undrafted rookie Elijah Williams has also made some noise and could be an intriguing player entering his sophomore season.
Much depends on the veterans Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. They were big splashy signings 11 months ago, but neither has returned to past Pro Bowl levels. Hargrave was even usurped by Redmond on the depth chart.
With the franchise still way over the salary cap, the Vikings could consider parting ways with one of the two to create cap flexibility. Most focus on Hargrave’s deal. He signed for two seasons with little guarantees left. Interim GM Rob Brzezinski could save nearly $11 million by releasing him, and another $4 million if they can find a trade partner to offload the 33-year-old. Axing Allen would save about $6.5 million.
Last season, Brian Flores coordinated one of the league’s elite units, but the ground game left some room for improvement. The Vikings ranked 9th in run DVOA and 14th in rush EPA. Sure, that’s not bad by any means, but it didn’t quite match the success against the pass.
There were also a couple of alarming games in which opponents ran over them with little resistance. Contests against the Los Angeles Chargers, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Green Bay Packers come to mind when backup-caliber runners from opponents were unstoppable.
If the Vikings, indeed, want to add a run defender, McClellan could be that guy.
A detailed draft evaluation at Draft Huddle described him as “a strong, versatile interior defensive lineman with an NFL-ready frame, heavy hands, and consistent run-defense impact against high-level competition,” highlighting his strength, motor, and high floor as a rotational defensive tackle with long-term starting upside.
He may not be a headline prospect, but McClellan checks several of the quiet boxes the Vikings typically value in mid-round defenders: size, motor, and scheme fit. For a defense that already excels against the pass, adding a dependable run-stuffing presence on Day 3 could be a practical, low-risk move with long-term rotational upside.
Another factor working in McClellan’s favor is roster construction. Flores has consistently rotated defensive linemen to keep the front fresh, and a sturdy early-down defender would complement the quicker interior rushers already in the building. Even if he begins as a rotational piece, that type of role has proven valuable in Minnesota’s system, where situational usage and depth along the defensive line often determine how effective the unit is over a full season.
McClellan is a name to watch.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.