The 8 Most Likely Players to Be Drafted by the Vikings

Dustin Baker |

Apr 12, 2025

FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA - OCTOBER 29: Grey Zabel #74 of the North Dakota State Bison against the Illinois State Redbirds at FARGODOME on October 29, 2022 in Fargo, North Dakota. (Photo by Sean Arbaut/Getty Images) Getty Images.

The 2025 NFL Draft will hit your television screen in 12 days, an event from Green Bay, Wisconsin.

The 8 Most Likely Players to Be Drafted by the Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings have only four picks on tap for the event, but many believe general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will trade around the draftboard to stockpile more selections.

So, with the draft not far away, these are the eight likeliest players to be chosen by the Vikings with the first pick of the event. They’re ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = most likely to be drafted by Minnesota).

8. Walter Nolen (DT)

Age: 21
College: Mississippi
Consensus Big Board Ranking: 27th

Nolen checks in at No. 8 — the “bottom” of this list — because he might be gone by the time Minnesota is called to the podium at No. 24.

Sep 28, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive linemen Walter Nolen (2) waits for the snap during the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images.

But he’s a true-blue three-technique defensive tackle, such a player Minnesota has been missing for about a decade. One might think the Vikings already have enough defensive tackles, which is true, but Nolen, at age 21, would be about the future when Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave slow down.

Nolen stops the run and gets after quarterbacks; he’s not a one-trick pony.

7. Jahdae Barron (CB)

Age: 23
College: Texas
Consensus Big Board Ranking: 14

Like Nolen, Barron probably won’t be on the board for Minnesota. He’s that good.

However, if he slid all the way to No. 24, Minnesota must resist the temptation to trade back and simply pick Barron outright. At 5’11,” Barron isn’t an overly large corner, but sometimes, height at the position is just a luxury.

If the Vikings don’t find a way to add Asante Samuel Jr. or Jaire Alexander after the draft, they should choose Barron, if applicable, in Round 1.

6. Malaki Starks (S)

Age: 21
College: Georgia
Consensus Big Board Ranking: 21

Some fans would grimace if Adofo-Mensah drafted another Georgia safety in Round 1, but truth be told, just because Lewis Cine didn’t work out doesn’t mean that Starks is doomed.

vikings — Nov 16, 2024; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Malaki Starks (24) walks into Sanford Stadium before a game against the Tennessee Volunteers. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images.

Harrison Smith will probably retire in nine months, and suddenly, Minnesota will need a replacement. Starks could be precisely that for the next five-plus years.

5. Kenneth Grant (DT)

Age: 21
College: Michigan
Consensus Big Board Ranking: 22

Grant is another player who Minnesota should stop what it’s doing and pick at No. 24 if he’s there.

It’s just that he probably won’t be.

Grant is huge at 6’4″ and 300 pounds. He can pursue quarterbacks and stop running backs. He’s the DT youth that Minnesota might craves.

4. Nick Emmanwori (S)

Age: 21
College: South Carolina
Consensus Big Board Ranking: 25

Emmanwori is better at secondary coverage than Starks, his fellow first-round safety, and has freakish physical traits.

Oct 19, 2024; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back Nick Emmanwori (7) returns an interception for a touchdown during the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images.

Again, Harrison Smith will retire in 2026 or 2027, and Emmanwori would be fantastic to sculpt as his replacement on the back end of the defense. He has high-end linebacker speed at 4.38.

3. Shavon Revel Jr. (CB)

Age: 24
College: East Carolina
Consensus Big Board Ranking: 38

Revel is 24 years old and recovering from a torn ACL. Those items have driven his draft stock into Round 2. All other facets of his scouting report — size and physical aptitudes — belong in Round 1.

If Minnesota trades back and wants a cornerback as its first draft pick, this is the guy.

2. Grey Zabel (iOL)

Age: 23
College: North Dakota State
Consensus Big Board Ranking: 28

Zabel has geographic proximity to Minnesota, attending North Dakota State, and flourishing along the way. Some believe he’ll be drafted in the Top 20 because of his position fluidity — he can play guard, center, and tackle — but if not, he could be a prime pick for the Vikings, a team possibly looking for a chef’s kiss to the offensive line.

Mar 1, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; North Dakota State University offensive lineman Grey Zabel (OL50) answers questions at a press conference during the 2025 NFL Combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

He’s also quickly become a fan favorite per draft interest.

1. Derrick Harmon (DT)

Age: 21
College: Oregon
Consensus Big Board Ranking: 31

Harmon checks these three main boxes for the Vikings’ draft:

He can probably be obtained after a small trade down the draftboard.
He is 21 years old — very young.
He can take over DT responsibilities when Javon Hargrave fades away.

Minnesota has also met with Harmon during the draft’s lead-up. He might be the pick when it’s all said and done.

Also Read:
5 Vikings Players Who Could Be Traded during the Draft