Final Draft Rumors We’re Hearing for the Vikings
Draft day has arrived, and 32 teams will call in selections to the podium in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Final Draft Rumors We’re Hearing for the Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings have just four picks on the menu entering the event, the fewest in the NFL. Most draft analysts and fans have decided that the club might need a safety, cornerback, defensive tackle, or offensive guard per long-term roster need, though the current roster is in pretty fancy shape, no matter what.
Over the years, we’ve earned the trust of a few credible sources, and here’s what we’re hearing on draft day. It’s worth noting that the hodgepodge of sources tends to have an approximately 80% success rate.
First Pick of Draft for Vikings = Defensive Tackle or Safety
Our sources have not been available to confidently identify the position Minnesota will target in Round 1 — until the last 24 hours.
We asked which spots are the most likely for general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s first pick on Thursday night — or Friday if he trades down — and the responses succinctly read, “DT or S.”
That feedback handsomely aligns with fans’ predictions and the mock draft community’s theories.
While Minnesota has defensive tackles Harrison Phillips, Jonathan Allen, and Javon Hargrave ready and willing to wreak havoc this September, all are age 30 or older. Aside from “maybe” options like Taki Taimani, Levi Drake Rodriguez, or Jalen Redmond, Minnesota has no young defensive tackle in the farm system.
And on safety, well, Harrison Smith will probably retire next January, and without a rookie from this draft, folks will wonder about his replacement next offseason.
Long story short, add defensive tackle and safety to your most probable draft outcomes for Minnesota’s first pick.
Notably, NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah mocked Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon to Minnesota on Wednesday. His mocks are known for accuracy.
Walter Nolen (Ole Miss) and Kenneth Grant would be the other sensible Round 1 options.
Desire to Trade Back — a Little Bit — Is Real
Of course, the Vikings’ draft puzzle starts with the grand mystery: Will they trade back?
Our sources said, “They would like to, not far, but they’re not gonna trade just to trade. It has to be a deal where they view themselves as the aggressive party or winner.”
That response also jibes with ESPN’s Kevin Seifert’s reporting from his selection in a mock draft. He wrote this week, “The Vikings would trade down from this spot only for a slam dunk return, and none materialized in conversations here. With Booker, Zabel and Harmon all off the table, the choice here is a safety whose size and playmaking skills would make him an intriguing addition to Brian Flores’ positionless defense.”
Adofo-Mensah isn’t married to sticking-and-picking but needs an enticing deal to move down.
Tight End More of a Priority Than Most Believe
Perhaps the most interesting nugget from Wednesday, unsolicited, one source texted, “Keep an eye on tight end.”
We countered with a natural “when?” reply — or where in the draft? Source said, “Either at 24 or after a small move back. Colston Loveland is a Michigan guy.”
No mock drafters anywhere in the world have Minnesota drafting a tight end at No. 24, and Loveland may not be around for the choosing at that spot. However, the source would not hand us the tight end tip just for kicks.
It could indicate that Adofo-Mensah has his eyes on a target like Mason Taylor (LSU), Harold Fannin Jr. (Bowling Green), or Elijah Arroyo (Miami) sometime Thursday night, more realistically, Friday night.
The source mentioned that Josh Oliver, the current TE2, could be cut this summer with $8 million cap savings.
Kirk Cousins Chatter Cannot Be Ignored
On to more bizarre topics, we asked about Kirk Cousins and his would-be return to the Twin Cities, as the Atlanta Falcons are apparently fielding offers for a draft-night trade. Michael Penix Jr. is in charge for Atlanta now, and Cousins is the most expensive backup quarterback in the history of human beings.
The source didn’t take the bait and seemed to dodge the question, stating that Cousins’ cap hit in 2025 is $27.5 million. Adding Cousins as QB2 after a theoretical release might’ve made sense — to an extent — but willfully eating some of his horrible contract is awful business.
Meanwhile, The Athletic reported Wednesday: “The Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings are the most likely potential suitors for Cousins, who signed a four-year free agency deal with Atlanta last season but played only 14 games before being benched in favor of Michael Penix Jr.”
“Minnesota, where Cousins played for six seasons, is the least likely of the trio to consummate a deal, and Cousins, who must approve any trade, is not eager to go to a team with a promising young quarterback, Russini wrote. A draft weekend deal for Cousins most likely would happen Saturday.”
On the whole, it might be strange for Cousins to move between lateral QB2 jobs from Atlanta to Minnesota. Why would that be appealing to him?
Circle the Giants, Browns as Possible Trade Partners
The Giants have all but exited the Shedeur Sanders sweepstakes, preferring Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter at pick No. 3.
But they probably have to leave the 2025 draft with a quarterback-of-the-future candidate. There are also social media theories like this if one enjoys those:
In theory, a Vikings’ deal with the Giants could look like this:
Giants Receive:
Pick No. 24 (Jaxson Dart)
Vikings Receive:
Pick No. 34 (Round 2)
Pick No. 99 (Round 3)
Pick No. 105 (Round 4)
The deal balances on most trade calculators and would nudge Adofo-Mensah’s draft pick total to six. New York, in return, could box out quarterback-needy teams like the Los Angeles Rams (life after Matthew Stafford) or the Cleveland Browns (the Deshaun Watson mess)
The Browns, as a trade partner, too, would check some boxes because Adofo-Mensah worked there for a couple of years before his promotion with Minnesota. He knows that front office, possibly enabling friendly trade relations. Cleveland could finagle a similar deal with Minnesota at No. 24 for Dart or Sanders.
Trusted Mock Drafters Say Malaki Starks or Nick Emmanwori for Vikings
Some national mock drafters predict Minnesota’s selections better than others. Over the last several years, Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News), Charlie Campbell (Walter Football), Mike Kiwak (Bucs Nation), and Josh Edwards (CBS Sports) have built an impressive track record forecasting the purple pick.
All four have Adofo-Mensah choosing a safety — either Starks or Emmanwori.
Iyer picked Emmanwori for Minnesota and explained, “The Vikings lost Camryn Bynum’s playmaking next to Harrison Smith in free agency. Emmanwori can be another upfield force against the run while also flashing the athleticism to be a big-time playmaker in coverage.”
Kiwak and Edwards rolled with Starks.
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