What the Media Is Saying about the Vikings on NFL Draft Eve
We are almost there.
The time for mock drafts, predictions, and wishlists is almost at an end. Before the draft gets underway tomorrow morning in Green Bay, there is time for one more look around at what the media is saying on the eve of the NFL draft.
What the Media Is Saying about the Vikings on NFL Draft Eve
As it stands, these are the selections that Minnesota has in this year’s draft:
Round 1: 24th overall
Round 3: 97th overall (compensatory)
Round 5: 139th overall (choice from Cleveland)
Round 6: 187th overall (choice from San Francisco)
We start with Pro Football Focus, where Gordon McGuinness’ final mock draft has the Vikings trading out of the first round with the Cleveland Browns and selecting DT Alfred Collins with the 33rd overall pick.
Trade Terms: Vikings receive Pick Nos. 33 and 67; Browns receive Pick No. 24
I’m adding a bonus here for two reasons. First, every team deserves to see a selection in a mock draft. Second, the Vikings’ trade-down lands them the first pick in Round 2.
This is very much what I would do, and I know others are lower on Collins, so this pick could easily be Ohio State’s Tyleik Williams. While I don’t think Collins will ever become anything more than an average pass rusher in the NFL, he has the tools to be an elite run defender, earning an 85.0 PFF run-defense grade in 2024. I also love the versatility he offers along the line, having played at least 120 snaps each in the A gap, B gap and over the offensive tackle in his final season at Texas.
In their article about trades, teams should make, PFF has the Vikings trading with the Browns again, but with less generous terms this time.
Vikings Receive: Pick Nos. 33 and 104 and a 2026 third-rounder
Browns Receive: Pick No. 24The Vikings were aggressive spenders in free agency, targeting the interiors of the offensive and defensive lines as the preferred route for upgrading the roster. They now stand in a pretty good position, but the possibility of accruing more picks should be even more appealing for the Vikings’ front office — especially from a potential trade-down spot at No. 24.
The aforementioned trade with the Browns hands Minnesota the first pick of Day 2, as well as Pick No. 104 and a 2026 third-rounder, to maximize the ability to add talent to an already stacked roster.
Two Positions Stand Out
When you look through the mock drafts and predictions, you see two positions over and over. They are defensive tackle and safety. You might come across the occasional offensive lineman or even a running back, but the two stand-out choices are DT and S.
The names most being suggested at DT are Derrick Harmon, Kenneth Grant, and Walter Nolen, while Tyleik Williams, TJ Sanders, and Darius Alexander are the other names to look out for. The two big names at safety are Nick Emmanwori and Malaki Starks.
The other possibilities include Xavier Watts and Andrew Mukuba. Whether it’s picking at No. 24 or later after a trade, those are the two positions most expected. It would be somewhat of a surprise if the Vikings went anywhere else, but Grey Zabel (OL), Omarion Hampton (RB), and Trey Amos (CB) are three players I’d suggest to keep an eye on.
Is the Trade Down Inevitable?
Wherever you look, people have the Vikings trading down from No. 24. I’ve expressed my opinion that I don’t believe they should do that, but it certainly feels like it could be heading that way. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has shown he doesn’t shy away from trades, which is why the Vikings only have four selections in this year’s draft.
There’s talk of lots of teams wanting to trade down, with Nate Davis writing for USA Today suggesting up to 12 teams could be looking in that direction. Of course, Minnesota was one, and here was Davis’ reasoning;
They have the fewest selections (4) of any club this year and aren’t scheduled to participate in Rounds 2 or 4. Yet given how many bodies they added via free agency, it could make sense to part with the 24th overall pick in order to diversify the overall portfolio.
The NFL Draft begins at 8 pm ET tomorrow, and the first big question to be answered is whether Adofo-Mensah will be making a selection or whether Vikings fans will have to wait until Friday for new additions to the roster.
Vikings Boot 2 Players Off Roster
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