ESPN Delivers 2 Vikings Draft Clues
The countdown is on. In less than two weeks, Minnesota Vikings fans will learn the identity of the team’s 2025 draft class, a batch set to include four names instead of seven this year.
ESPN Delivers 2 Vikings Draft Clues
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah swapped most of his 2025 draft class for outside linebacker Dallas Turner last year, so this time, at least from the jump, will be about quality over quantity.
And thanks to ESPN, a couple of purple draft hints emerged this week.
A Trade Down Expected
ESPN published an article this week about draft intel and questions for each NFL team, and Minnesota was not excluded.
Matt Miller wrote, “What we’re hearing about the Vikings’ draft: The Vikings have only four picks in this draft right now, making them a prime trade-back candidate in Round 1. This would be an easy way for them to pick up more draft capital, especially if there are teams wanting to get back into Round 1 for a quarterback or a falling pass rusher.”
“Should Minnesota decide to stay and pick at No. 24, cornerback and safety are areas it could address.”
For the most part, forecasting a corner or safety as Minnesota’s first pick is a safe bet. Defensive tackle and interior offensive line received ample love along the way for the draft build-up, but most credible draft heads settle on a defensive back.
It’s the Cornerbacks, Stupid.
ESPN wasn’t done pounding the table for a cornerback. Kevin Seifert piled on as well.
“With only four total picks in this draft, what’s the one position at which the Vikings must find a starter? The upside of the Vikings’ $300 million free agent signing spree is it left them without immediate, glaring needs heading into the draft, a strategy general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said was intentional,” Seifert explained.
“It would be easy to derive a competitive 22-man starting lineup based on their current roster. If there is a position where the Vikings could need a starter soon, it’s cornerback behind presumptive starters Byron Murphy Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers.”
Rodgers has morphed into a Vikings darling recently, as folks learned that defensive coordinator Brian Flores personally recommended his free-agent addition. A comparison to “this year’s Zack Baun,” a linebacker who broke out for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024, has piqued fans’ interest in particular.
But if that rah-rah about Rodgers is wrong, yes — Minnesota probably needs a young corner for the long term.
What a Trade Down + CB Would Look Like
Suppose ESPN has nailed this draft intel — a trade down and subsequent cornerback selection. These CBs are the best targets in that scenario:
- Trey Amos (Ole Miss)
- Maxwell Hairston (Kentucky)
- Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame)
- Shavon Revel (East Carolina)
- Azaraeye’h Thomas (Florida State)
Other Positions to Watch
Cornerback and safety aren’t the only semi-common draft predictions for Minnesota. Defensive tackle and offensive line intrigue mock-drafters, too.
Should Adofo-Mensah choose a DT or OG, these players would make sense at No. 24 or after a trade back:
- Tyler Booker (G, Alabama)
- Kenneth Grant (DT, Michigan)
- Derrick Harmon (DT, Oregon)
- Donovan Jackson (G, Ohio State)
- Walter Nolen (DT, Ole Miss)
- Grey Zabel (iOL, North Dakota State)
Wildcard Round 1 Options
If Minnesota totally swerves from the draft community’s prediction(s), it could, in theory, draft a tight end, running back, or wide receiver with its first pick. T.J. Hockenson’s guaranteed money runs out after the 2025 campaign, Aaron Jones will turn 31 this season, and Jordan Addison could be suspended to start the year.
These players represent curveball draft possibilities for Minnesota:
Luther Burden III (WR, Missouri)
Emeka Egbuka (WR, Ohio State)
Matthew Golden (WR, Texas)
Omarion Hampton (RB, North Carolina)
Colston Loveland (TE, Michigan)
Longtime Viking Got His Wake-Up Call
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