2026 NFL Draft: Vikings Select C Gavin Gerhardt

The Minnesota Vikings have made another selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, and with this pick, they have gone back to the offensive line one more time.

Gavin Gerhardt

Date of Birth:

College: University of Cincinnati

Drafted: Round 7, #235 overall

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 310 pounds

With the 235th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Vikings have taken center Gavin Gerhardt from the University of Cincinnati.

A three-time team captain for the Bearcats, Gerhardt anchored an offensive line that was a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award, an award that goes to the nation’s best offensive line. The Bearcats allowed just eight sacks as a team in 2025, and Gerhardt had one of the lowest rates of pressure allowed in the country at the center position.

Gerhardt also has plenty of experience, as he started 49 games in his career with the Bearcats.

We’ll see what sort of opportunity Gerhardt gets to compete for the center spot in Minnesota. Blake Brandel is currently penciled in as the starter at the position and Michael Jurgens saw time at that spot last year as well. Jurgens should get a chance to fight for a roster spot, at the very least.

Welcome to Minnesota, Gavin Gerhardt!