Dustin Baker’s Predictive Mock Draft for Vikings | 2025
This is it — the final mock draft for the Minnesota Vikings from VikingsTerritory of 2025.
Dustin Baker’s Predictive Mock Draft for Vikings | 2025
A specific 1st-Round prediction detailing the first pick and possible trade will be published next week.
But this one is the whole shebang — VikingsTerritory‘s best stab at a predictive mock draft in 2025. This article has nothing to do with our preference, instead focusing on solely what we think might happen.
We believe Minnesota will trade down the draftboard — not out of Round 1 — potentially doing business with the Philadelphia Eagles at Pick No. 32.
Trade!
Vikings Get:
Pick No. 32 (Round 1)
Pick No. 96 (Round 3)
Pick No. 134 (Round 4)
Eagles Get:
Pick No. 24 (Round 1)
Round 1
Walter Nolen (DT)
Pick Number = 32
College = Mississippi
Nolen marries Minnesota’s long-term need for a youthful defensive tackle, and, yes, we fully understand that Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, two newcomers, just joined the roster.
But the Round 1 pick focuses on how the team might look in 2027, for example, and Hargrave could be gone by then. Therefore, the Vikings end the defensive tackle draft drought. They haven’t selected one since Shariff Floyd in 2013.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensh trades down eight spots and grabs Nolen.
Round 3
Charles Grant (OL)
Pick Number = 96
College = William & Mary
Grant will bring offensive line versatility to his new team. He can play tackle and guard. That tendency is ever-increasing in the NFL, and Minnesota might even need a tackle for a few weeks if Christian Darrisaw isn’t ready for Week 1.
For the long term, though, Grant will slide into the Vikings’ left guard spot, replacing Blake Brandel and staving off fringe contenders like Michael Jurgens and Walter Rouse.
Grant provides a wrestler’s attitude and only has mid-round stock because of his small-school background. On an NFL draft sheet, Alabama looks a lot better than William & Mary.
Round 3
Denzel Burke (CB)
Pick Number = 97
College = Ohio State
Burke has the size and physicality to thrive at the next level; he’ll just need to erase some of the rough memories of his senior season at Ohio State — hence his 3rd-Round draft stock.
But Burke would basically replace Khyree Jackson for on-the-field purposes, and Minnesota seems like a prime candidate to grab one corner somewhere in the draft. Otherwise, folks will wait until after the event to see if the Asante Samuel Jr. rumors are true.
Round 4
Malachi Moore (S)
Pick Number = 134
College = Alabama
Planning for life after Harrison Smith in 2026 or 2027, Adofo-Mensah seizes Moore from Round 4, a ball-hawking safety with a sweet football IQ. His major malfunction is injuries, but Adofo-Mensah rarely shies away from that red flag.
NFL Draft Buzz‘s Wyatt Brooks on Moore: “Looking at the total package, Moore projects as a valuable depth piece who could develop into a starter by year three if he continues to progress. Smart defensive coordinators will find ways to maximize his coverage instincts in specific packages while he develops into a more complete player.”
“While he might not have the elite physical traits some teams covet at safety, his football IQ and coverage ability make him an interesting target for teams looking to add secondary depth on day three of the draft. The film shows a player who can carve out a role in the right system — particularly for teams that emphasize coverage versatility and pre-snap complexity in their defensive scheme.”
Round 5
Brashard Smith (RB)
Pick Number = 139
College = SMU
Smith is arguably the best pass-blocking running back in this deep tailback class, and the Vikings love pass-blocking runners. Minnesota has already met with Smith via Top 30 visit, and of all predictive mock draft selections we’re most sure about, Smith leads the way.
Round 6
Oronde Gadsden II (TE)
Pick Number = 187
College = Syracuse
On Top 30 visits, the Vikings also met with Gadsden II, a bloodline tight end whose father, Oronde Gadsden, played for the Miami Dolphins in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Gadsden II must improve his pass-blocking, but every rookie has something to fix.
If he develops into his fullest potential, Gadsden II will eventually become a sexy redzone target for J.J. McCarthy.
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