Adam New’s Vikings Draft Wishlist
The 2025 NFL draft is almost upon us, beginning in Green Bay on Thursday and running through Saturday. It is time for me to put forward my Vikings draft wishlist.
Adam New’s Vikings Draft Wishlist
These are not predictions of what Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will do over the coming days, but what I want to see happen is what I would do if I were fortunate enough to be calling the shots in the Vikings draft room. The two key elements are not trading down from the 24th overall pick and focusing on improving in the trenches.
Kenneth Grant at No. 24
I don’t want Minnesota to trade down or even out of the first round, but instead pick the best player available at 24th overall. I’m hoping that player will be Michigan’s Kenneth Grant, who is a big nose tackle that combines size (6’3 and 339 lbs) with rare athleticism and quickness. The Vikings have Harrison Phillips at nose tackle, who is a solid run defender, but his pass rush is limited.
Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave have been signed to add interior pass rush to the Vikings, but having a young nose tackle who can do it all would make a huge impact on Minnesota’s defense both now and further down the line.
Should Grant already be off the board, other options on the defense’s interior include Derrick Harmon and Walter Nolen, while Grey Zabel and Tyler Booker could be options on the opposite side of the ball. Any of those players would continue strengthening the Vikings at the line of scrimmage. Something that was achieved in this year’s free agency, but should be built upon further.
Pick Again at No. 97
The temptation will be there to try to recoup some draft picks sooner rather than later. However, I want the Vikings to pick again at 97 and take either the best defensive back available or an interior offensive lineman if there’s a suitable one available.
There should be some good DBs left on the board at this stage, with the likes of Andrew Mukuba, Billy Bowman, Lathan Ransom, Dorian Strong, and Denzel Burke possibilities. Regarding linemen, Adofo-Mensah could be looking at the likes of Miles Frazier, Tate Ratledge, or Dylan Fairchild.
Trader Kwesi on Day 3
With two good players on board after the first two days of the draft, Day 3 is when Adofo-Mensah can start to work the phones in an attempt to get an extra pick or two to bolster the roster. Moving down and using some Day 3 picks from next year should be able to secure those extra selections the Vikings GM might want.
Even if it doesn’t work out on the day, Adofo-Mensah’s success in recruiting top-rated undrafted free agents and the team’s ability to get those players into valuable roster members is a nice asset to fall back on.
The positions on the roster that could have been bolstered late in the draft include whichever one of the defensive backs or interior offensive linemen doesn’t get addressed in the third round. Then, there is running back, tight end, inside linebacker, and possibly even a wide receiver.
Of course, there is still scope for the Vikings to make a signing or trade for a veteran player at these positions after the draft.
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