The 5 “Other Guys” in Vikings 1st Round Orbit
Most fans expect the Minnesota Vikings to select a defensive tackle, offensive guard, cornerback, or safety in 12 days when the 2025 NFL Draft gets underway.
The 5 “Other Guys” in Vikings 1st Round Orbit
But what if they don’t? What if general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah thinks outside the box and fully embraces the “best player available” philosophy at a position where Minnesota doesn’t necessarily need much help?
If so, these are the five “other guys” in the Vikings 1st-Round draft orbit. They’re listed alphabetically.
1. Luther Burden III (WR)
Missouri
Burden III is situated at No. 34 on the Consensus Big Board less than two weeks before the draft. Of course, Minnesota doesn’t need a wide receiver for the 2025 season or beyond, employing Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison as a formidable one-two punch at wide receiver. The team has also spoken highly of Jalen Nailor this offseason.
But what if the Vikings consider Burden III an undeniably dynamic asset? Addison will likely be suspended to start the 2025 campaign, and that’s not good for anybody.
Burden III could be a sleeper draft target if Adofo-Mensah wants to get really rich in the passing game.
2. Emeka Egbuka (WR)
Ohio State
Egbuka’s draft stock has fallen in the last two months, so much so that he could slip into Round 2. Like the argument above with Burden III, there’s a world where Minnesota fancies another upper-echelon wide receiver.
The Vikings could even trade back and still be positioned to draft Egbuka, which would feel like a steal of a deal if a wide receiver is a priority on their draft board.
3. Omarion Hampton (RB)
North Carolina
Suppose Minnesota is not wholly satisfied with Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason, employing them as one- or two-year solutions. Well, drafting Hampton would provide five years of running back bliss.
His stock has been talked into Round 1 quite loudly in the last two weeks, so he may not even be there for Minnesota at No. 24.
But it would be sweet for the Vikings to nab the second-best running back in this class. The longstanding rushing woes would fall by the wayside quickly with Jones, Mason, and Hampton.
4. TreVeyon Henderson (RB)
Ohio State
Arguably the most “other guy” of all guys on this list, Minnesota could select Henderson if Jeanty and Hampton are long gone.
NFL Draft Buzz‘s K.C. Martinez wrote about Henderson’s scouting report: “The vision and explosiveness are too special to waste in a committee — this is a feature back whose only limitation is durability. After studying every touch from his last two seasons, I’m convinced he has the tools to be one of the NFL’s most dynamic offensive weapons.”
“Give him 18-20 touches per game in a zone-heavy system with designed screens and watch him take over games just like he did against Oregon in the playoffs.”
Yes, please.
5. Colston Loveland (TE)
Michigan
T.J. Hockenson’s guaranteed money runs out after the 2025 season, and Minnesota only has two tight ends on the current depth chart — Hockenson and Josh Oliver.
Couple that information with the idea that Loveland was J.J. McCarthy’s tight end in college, and Loveland doesn’t seem so wacky as the Vikings’ first pick.
Loveland’s route-running, for a tight end, really stands off the page.
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