5 Vikings Takeaways from the 2025 NFL Draft
That’s a wrap on the 2025 NFL Draft for the Minnesota Vikings.
5 Vikings Takeaways from the 2025 NFL Draft
The club notably onboarded offensive guard Donovan Jackson from Ohio State in Round 1, along wth Maryland wide receiver Tai Felton in Round 3. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah drafted three more late-rounders thereafter and swiftly signed 19 players from the undrafted free-agent wire.
And these are five takeaways from the event, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = most important takeaway)
5. Have No Fear at Tight End
Entering Thursday, Minnesota has just two tight ends on the roster: T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver. Folks wondered what was happening because the Vikings typically have four tight ends on the roster before a draft.
However, the franchise selected Gavin Bartholomew from Pittsburgh in Round 6 and found Bryson Nesbit of North Carolina and Georgia’s Ben Yurosek from undrafted free agency.
Everything is back to normal at tight end.
4. RB Neglect
In the deepest rookie running back class in recent memory, Minnesota waltzes out of the event with zero halfbacks. Some believed Adofo-Menah would find two if he fired off some trades early to grab more picks.
No luck.
Minnesota will roll with Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, undrafted free agent Tre Stewart, and practice-squader Xavier Scott. In fact, the Vikings leaving the event without a promising running back might be a little regrettable. This year’s 5th-Rounders could be 2nd-Rounders next year.
3. The WR Curveball
In Round 3, with Minnesota’s second pick, many expected a defensive tackle, safety, or cornerback to join the roster, but Adofo-Mensah swerved by selecting Maryland speedster Tai Felton.
Drafting a wideout in 3rd Round is no joke, and Felton should not be considered a flyer or lottery ticket. The Vikings hadn’t drafted a wide receiver in Round 3 since 2003.
Perhaps because Jordan Addison’s antics have reared their ugly head in back-to-back summers or that Jalen Nailor’s contract will expire after 2025, Minnesota used the second pick on a wide receiver.
PurplePTSD‘s Janik Eckardt wrote about Felton on Saturday: “The Vikings acquire Felton, the Maryland weapon. The speedy wideout contributed in the last four seasons, tabulating a total of 2,207 receiving yards and 17 receiving touchdowns. His most productive year came in 2024 when he registered 1,124 yards and nine scores. Felton possesses intriguing athleticism.
“At the combine, he clocked in at 6-1, 183 pounds, and ran a 4.37 40-yard dash with fantastic splits and explosive jumps.”
2. No Need for More Cornerbacks
When the offseason arrived, many labeled cornerback as the most obvious roster need. And rightfully so. The theory wasn’t silly because Stephon Gilmore and Shaquill Griffin probably wouldn’t return, and they have not as of late April.
But Minnesota signed Isaiah Rodgers in free agency, and it apparently has big plans for the Super Bowl champ.
Otherwise, the Vikings could’ve drafted Will Johnson on Thursday night. They did not. Cornerback was not a high priority despite many theories suggesting it.
Purple PTSD‘s Brevan Bane noted on Rodgers: “In 2024, Isaiah Rodgers saw action in 15 games, including three in which he started. He would rack up 26 total tackles, four PBUs, and a forced fumble. Rodgers would contribute on special teams as well, where he returned eight kickoffs for 225 yards, averaging a solid 28.1 yards per attempt. His 225 return yards included a long return of 51 yards.”
“As we all know, following this 2024 season with the Eagles that saw Isaiah Rodgers become a Super Bowl Champion, he would sign a 2-year/$15 million contract with $8 million in guarantees from the Minnesota Vikings.”
Rodgers could be the CB2 by default in the fall.
Bane added, “Isaiah Rodgers is a speedy corner, standing at 5’10 and weighing 170lbs, so he definitely has a smaller frame than what would be ideal in the NFL. He does compensate for his size with solid ball skills and high-level football instincts, understanding routes and positioning himself well enough to make catches as difficult as possible for the receiver.”
1. It Was Always the Trenches First This Offseason
Kevin O’Connell’s team lost in the playoffs three months ago because it allowed nine sacks to the Los Angeles Rams, a horrid NFL playoff record. Not the good kind.
From that moment, the front office and coaching staff vowed to repair the trenches, offensively and defensively.
Guess what? They did.
The plan offered an exclamation point in Round 1 of the draft, with the selection of Jackson. He’s the cake-topper to Minnesota’s offensive line reconstruction.
This offseason, the Vikings have signed Jonathan Allen (DT), Javon Hargrave (DT), Will Fries (G), and Ryan Kelly (C), while using their top pick on Jackson.
The Vikings were about the trenches, the trenches, and trenches, in the last six weeks.
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