Dustin Baker’s Draft Predictions for the 2025 Vikings
The time is near. Minnesota Vikings fans will learn the identities of at least four rookie newcomers next week, as the 2025 NFL Draft kicks off from Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Dustin Baker’s Draft Predictions for the 2025 Vikings
Most experts expect general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to draft defensively early in the event, though an offensive player, like a guard or running back, wouldn’t shock the masses too much.
Not long ago, we published our bold predictions for the Vikings draft. You can read those here.
These are the ordinary predictions, listed in no particular order.
1. First Pick Will Not Be a Cornerback
After careful deliberation, one might recognize that Minnesota’s cornerback room is “full,” and this go-round, the men vying for playing time aren’t elderly veterans like Stephon Gilmore and Shaquill Griffin.
The cornerback room includes Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, Mekhi Blackmon, Jeff Okudah, and Dwight McGlothern. All five are 27 years old or younger.
While a cornerback pick like Jahdae Barron at pick No. 24 wouldn’t be utterly stunning — it would actually be pretty fantastic — Minnesota will relent from choosing a cornerback because it has so many youthful options at its disposal.
Moreover, after the draft, Adofo-Mensah can potentially sign Asante Samuel Jr., Jack Jones, or even Jaire Alexander if he’s released by Green Bay.
Minnesota could utilize a rookie corner, to be sure, but they hold off in Round 1 and target a different defensive position. More on that later.
2. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah Will End Up with 6+ Picks
Adofo-Mensah will trade once or twice before he makes his first selection, while finding a way to remain in Round 1 or at the very top of Round 2. Remember — the young executive came to Minnesota from the Cleveland Brown’s front office in 2022, and Cleveland owns the 33rd pick in the draft, the first choice on Friday night.
Trading down five to eight spots should enable Minnesota to add an extra 3rd- and 4th-Rounder, bringing its end total on Saturday to at least six players.
Adofo-Mensah isn’t shy about his ardor for trading, and if there were ever a time to show off his skills, it’s inside the draft where he has only four picks.
At least six rookies will be plucked.
3. Tight End Will Be Drafted
Minnesota has two tight ends on the current roster: T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver. Typically during the week before the draft, the purple team has four tight ends in their roster orbit.
The team is providing serious clues that a rookie tight end will be plucked from the draft, so in conjunction with the N0. 2 prediction this list — leaving with at least six rookies — a new tight end will be on the way.
Syracuse’s Oronde Gadsden II would make sense. Minnesota met with him last week.
4. Vikings Find an RB3
Indeed, Minnesota has Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, and Ty Chandler on the current depth chart. Who cares?
This draft should be about preparing for the 2026 and 2027 seasons — looking down the road when the J.J. McCarthy era could be white-hot with palpable Super Bowl excitement.
By that time, Aaron Jones will be 33, and Jordan Mason’s contract will be winding down. Therefore, inside this year’s absurdly deep running back draft class, Minnesota will choose a running back. Tennessee’s Dylan Sampson, Miami’s Damien Martinez, and SMU’s Brashard Smith would make sense for Kevin O’Connell’s offense.
5. First Pick Is a Defensive Tackle or Safety
Refer to No. 1 on this list — predicting Minnesota to sit it out on a Round 1 or 2 cornerback.
A defensive player will still be the pick, leaving either a defensive tackle or a safety. And, yes, that’s pretty much code for one of these players:
- Nick Emmanwori (S, South Carolina)
- Kenneth Grant (DT, Michigan)
- Derrick Harmon (DT, Oregon)
- Walter Nolen (DT, Mississippi)
- Malaki Starks (S, Georgia)
If pressed to name the position, defensive tackle would be the formal prediction — Walter Nolen or Derrick Harmon, depending on the lay of the draftboard.
One Former Viking Is Tearing Up the UFL
You must be logged in to post a comment.