Our Official Prediction for the Vikings’ 1st Draft Pick
Last year, the Minnesota Vikings onboarded quarterback J.J. McCarthy in Round 1 and later outside linebacker Dallas Turner.
Our Official Prediction for the Vikings’ 1st Draft Pick
VikingsTerritory nailed the McCarthy prediction but had no such luck on Turner, which was a wildcard for pretty much everybody.
So, this go-round, we polled VikingsTerritory writers for their predictions regarding Minnesota’s first draft pick next week. They landed on Derrick Harmon, a defensive tackle from Oregon.
VT Says Derrick Harmon (DT)
Here’s how our polling shook out. We took the following steps:
- Will the Vikings trade back from pick No. 24?
- Which position will Minnesota target after the trade back?
- Which defensive tackle will the team choose?
Our writers predicted a trade down the draftboard, along with a defensive tackle selection after that. Then, given the options of Harmon, Walter Nolen, Kenneth Grant, Tyleik Williams, and Darius Alexander, the group chose Harmon to perfectly blend a small trade back and the defensive tackle long-term roster need.
It’s Harmon, per VikingsTerritory.
Derrick Harmon — Who’s He?
Harmon projects as a 1st-Rounder on most draft big boards. The exact placement is debatable — some think he could find a new team in the Top 20; others say from picks 25-32.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein profiled Harmon: “Position-versatile building block that makes moving the football a much tougher task. Harmon is wide, long and naturally powerful at the point of attack. He can create traffic jams inside as a two-gapper or stunt and power his way into the backfield. He’s unlikely to be a primary sack man, but he can be part of a swarm unit that batters the pocket.”
“He’s high-cut and tight-hipped, which limits his agility and reactive athleticism to finish. Harmon can play up and down the line in both odd and even fronts. He will bring an instant dose of stinginess and toughness to any defense he joins.”
That sure sounds like the defensive tackle that purple fans have chanted for since Kevin Williams left in 2013.
DT Tyleik Williams a Close Second
When our writers settled on a trade-down prediction, plus a defensive tackle after that, Ohio State’s Tyleik Williams was well represented in our predictive voting.
He placed second among our writers, though Harmon was the clear frontrunner.
Tyleik Williams Scouting Report
NFL Draft Buzz‘s K.C. Martinez wrote about Williams during the draft’s build-up: “The team that drafts Williams is getting a rare athlete for the position who brings legitimate three-down potential if his pass rush continues developing.
“His combination of explosive power and nimble feet makes him a scheme-versatile defender who can anchor against doubles or shoot gaps with equal effectiveness. The flashes of dominance against top competition hint at his ceiling as a potential game-wrecker on the interior.”
Minnesota hasn’t showcased a real nose tackle like Williams since Linval Joseph — six years ago.
Martinez added, “While Williams may need early down/early game snap management as he continues building his stamina, his upside as a disruptive force is undeniable. His ideal NFL fit is as a 3-technique in an even front where his quickness and power can be unleashed, though he’s shown he can hold up at nose tackle when needed. Look for Williams to make an immediate impact as a run defender while his pass rush skills catch up to his athletic gifts.”
“The complete physical transformation and steady progression at Ohio State suggest Williams is just scratching the surface of his potential.”
The Other DTs if Not Harmon or Williams
If VikingsTerritory totally has it wrong with the defensive tackle’s identity, but the Vikings still target that position, Walter Nolen, Kenneth Grant, or Darius Alexander could be the pick this week.
It’s worth noting that the entire 2025 draft is notable for defensive tackle depth. The team could, in theory, wait until Round 3 or 4 and still find a decent rookie commodity.
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