7 Ways the Vikings Draft Can Bend
The Minnesota Vikings are just a few weeks away from the 2025 NFL Draft and own the league’s fewest number of picks during the event.
7 Ways the Vikings Draft Can Bend
The franchise traded most of the 2025 draft class for the draft pick that snatched outside linebacker Dallas Turner in Round 1 last year.
And with the event 23 days away, the Vikings have about seven possible draft options — ways the club can handle Round 1.
These are the ways the Vikings’ draft can twist, ranked in ascending order of likelihood (No. 1 = most likely)
7. Trading UP the Board
It likely won’t occur, but Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty could dip on draft night, and to guarantee supremacy at the RB1 spot for the next five seasons, the Vikings might fire up a shocking swap — maneuvering up the board for a running back.
Jeanty is dynamic as hell, and after fans got over the initial astonishment of trading up for a halfback, they’d love the selection. Jeanty’s eventual production could echo Christian McCaffrey and Saquon Barkley.
Including trades like this one is fair game after Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA. Anything’s possible in sports, including Doncic to the Lakers.
6. RB — Even with Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason on Roster
Minnesota needs a young RB solution, and this year’s draft is absolutely immaculate for the task. Over 30 tailbacks could fly off the board.
Instead of trading up for Ashton Jeanty, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah could stay put at No. 24 with a player like Kaleb Johnson (Iowa), Omarion Hampton (North Carolina), or TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State) — probably Hampton per the current big board.
Jordan Mason on the roster reduced the likelihood of this option after the trade with San Francisco last month.
5. Choosing a Safety
Harrison Smith will return for Year No. 14 in 2025, and that’s marvelous.
Formerly reservist safety Theo Jackson is in line for a promotion, while Camryn Bynum departed for the Indianapolis Colts. Josh Metellus is in the mix, too.
But there’s a scenario where Adofo-Mensah attempts to cleanse his sins from the Lewis Cine pick three years, taking a stab at Nick Emmanwori from South Carolina or Georgia’s Malaki Starks.
Safety is a long-term roster need; it’s just not a premium position.
4. Guard at No. 24
Grey Zabel from North Dakota State or Tyler Booker from Alabama — that’s who this would be.
Zabel’s stock has climbed recently, showcasing extreme versatility, enough to wiggle him into Round 1.
Booker had an awful Relative Athletic Score from the NFL Combine, but if one can overlook that, he’s a 1st-Rounder, too.
3. Cornerback from Round 1
Arguably the most urgent roster need, Minnesota could use its 1st-Rounder on a cornerback at No. 24. Translation: Jahdae Barron.
Travis Hunter (Colorado) and Will Johnson (Michigan) will be far off the board with new teams by the time the Vikings draft, but Barron is more gettable.
Several CB-needy teams pick right before Minnesota, making Barron less likely. If he falls, though, Barron could prevent a Vikings tradeback.
2. Another DT at No. 24
Adofo-Mensah added Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave in free agency. But why not more?
These are the current usual suspects:
- Walter Nolen (DT, Ole Miss)
- Kenneth Grant (DT, Michigan)
- Derrick Harmon (DT, Oregon)
One of these youngsters would develop behind Allen and Hargrave, situating himself to be ready by 2026 or 2027, at least per full-time workload.
1. Trading Down for More Picks
Minnesota traded a lot for the draft pick that netted the aforementioned Turner last year.
So, to reclaim those picks, Adofo-Mensah could trade down the board, securing two picks for the price of one. An early 2nd-Rounder + a late 3-Rounder would make sense.
Hell, he could even do business with the Jacksonville Jaguars, the team that helped Turner get to Minnesota. Unsurprisingly, the Jaguars have oodles of mid-round selections to play with, and Adofo-Mensah could come knocking.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
You must be logged in to post a comment.