The Minnesota Vikings are at a turning point. After striking out on QB prospect Jameis Winston, their draft plans have done a full 180—and it might just set their defense up for a new era. Sure, flashy offensive stars grab headlines, but the trenches decide real champions, winning or losing games. As a matter of fact, the Vikings seem locked in on a guy who could be the cornerstone of their D-line.

With QB options drying up, Minnesota’s shifted gears to stack their defense. The big name on their radar? Oregon’s defensive tackle Derrick Harmon. As Emily Leikar mentioned, “It feels like they’ll lean more towards defensive tackle, especially that’s still where my money would be, especially if they can get Derek Harmon.” And Ben Goessling chimed in and said “One guy on their priority list. I heard that again this week.” Dude’s a beast—strong, versatile, and a total disruptor in the middle. Exactly the kind of anchor the Vikings need to toughen up their front.

Harmon’s path to the draft started at Michigan State (2021-2023), where he quietly leveled up over three seasons, notching 71 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks in 28 games. But he wanted a bigger spotlight, so he hit the transfer portal and landed in Oregon for 2024. Smart move. In his one season with the Ducks, he broke out: 45 tackles, 5 sacks, 8.5 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 pass deflections.

At 6’5”, 310 pounds, Harmon’s built like a war-tank. In fact, his long arms and raw power give O-linemen nightmares. And his NFL Combine stats? Chef’s kiss. He ripped off 40-yard dash times of 4.97 and 4.95 seconds—fourth-fastest among D-linemen indeed—proving he’s got wheels to match his strength.

No shocker the Vikings are eyeing him. Harmon’s a brick wall against the run, clogging gaps and shutting down plays. As a pass rusher, he might not pile up sacks, but collapsing pockets and hassling QBs? That’s his jam. Plus, he can slide into multiple schemes, giving Minnesota options to mix things up.

Folks are already tossing around big-name comparisons. His combo of size and athleticism has shades of Chris Jones—yeah, the Chiefs’ three-time Super Bowl champ. That ceiling has teams buzzing, making Harmon one of the draft’s most fascinating wild cards.

Mock drafts back the hype. NFL.com’s Eric Edholm has Minnesota grabbing him at No. 24, while CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards slots him to the Texans at No. 25. Either way, his name’s gonna be called early—first-round lock.

Bottom line: Missing out on Winston might’ve been a blessing in disguise. If the Vikings land Harmon, they’re adding serious firepower to their defense. Moreover, in a league where games are won up front, that’s how you start building a squad that can hang with the best. But what’s happening at Winston’s new landing spot?

Giants shake things up with Jameis Winston rolling up

The New York Giants just pulled a power move, locking in veteran QB Jameis Winston, and yeah, this one’s got people talking. Winston might be one of the most chaotic quarterbacks in the league, but he’s also got experience, a cannon for an arm, and a knack for keeping things interesting. With 87 career starts under his belt, the Giants are betting he’s got enough juice left to hold things down while they figure out their long-term QB situation.

And Winston? He’s hyped. When asked if he’d actually sign with the Giants, he didn’t even blink. “Would I really sign with the Giants? Absolutely! I want to keep playing and do what I do best,” he told NJ Advance Media.

He’s also feeling the vibe in New York. “I have a ton of respect for coach Brian Daboll, the things he does offensively. I think we have a young roster that’s ready to win,” Winston said. Indeed, that’s a pretty big cosign for a team that’s been struggling to find its footing. If nothing else, Winston’s energy is exactly what the Giants need right now.

Giants owner John Mara didn’t sugarcoat it—finding a QB was priority number one this offseason. “That’s obviously the No. 1 issue for us going into this offseason—to find our quarterback of the future,” he said. Winston might not be the guy for the long haul, but he’s a solid bridge QB who can keep the team afloat while they search for their next franchise player.

For teams like the Vikings, who were eyeing Winston as a potential option, this move definitely shakes things up. Now that he’s off the board, they’ll have to look elsewhere—probably the draft—to find their future signal-caller. Meanwhile, the Giants are rolling the dice on Winston, hoping he can bring some stability (and maybe a little chaos in a good way). Either way, the NFC just got a little more interesting.