The second day of the NFL Draft saw the Vikings and their fans grappling with their position and potential trades as they approached the 97th pick. Despite some predicted prospects falling off the board, many talented players remained, prompting discussions about the Vikings' approach. The consensus was that potential starters and impactful rotational players were up for grabs, with wide receivers Jaylen Royals and Elliot Manor among the favorites, alongside defensive prospects like Xavier Watts and Jordan Phillips.

The day saw some surprises, notably the slide of Shadur Sanders, whose performance in combine meetings raised concerns among teams. The Vikings ultimately opted to trade the 97th pick to the Houston Texans, moving back five spots but gaining a significant pick advantage for Day 3. The drafting process continues with a notable focus on developing their roster around quarterback JJ McCarthy, who will benefit from the added depth and competition at wide receiver through selections like Ty Felton from Maryland.