Janik Eckardt’s Vikings Draft Predictions | 2025
Last offseason, my draft predictions finished with a 3-2 record. The assessment was correct that the new franchise quarterback would be added. In addition to that, Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah acquired a kicker in the draft and selected at least one player to strengthen the trenches on each side of the ball. Incorrent, meanwhile, were the prognoses that a runner and a wideout would join.
Janik Eckardt’s Draft Predictions for Vikings | 2025
Perhaps the trade for Dallas Turner that cost some draft capital ruined those two items. Regardless, with the annual three-day draft bonanza right around the corner, it’s time to get back into the prediction game.
1. A Running Back Joins
I’ll copy this sub-headline from last year. The Vikings have emphasized that they want to run the football, and having a strong running back group is essential to exercise that plan.
Aaron Jones was re-signed after a solid 2024 season, and Jordan Mason was acquired via trade from the 49ers. The top duo should be set. However, few running back classes have ever drawn this much praise, so why not try to find a capable RB3 who could, in the long haul, move up the depth chart?
Whether the Vikings fall in love with an early prospect or wait for the third round or even day three to pull the trigger, a new running back will be drafted to compete and hopefully unseat Ty Chandler. The lack of explosive returns could also be addressed that way.
2. Vikings Ignore Safety Early
If you look at any mock draft in the entire NFL landscape, the chances are pretty high that the 24th overall pick will be used for either safety Malaki Starks or Nick Emmanwori. Both are decent players, but the NFL analysts don’t know that the replacement for the departed Cam Bynum is already in the building.
The Vikings re-signed Theo Jackson, and they do what they should’ve done in 2022 and trust the next man on the depth chart instead of spending valuable draft capital at the position.
Jackson has just drawn a ton of praise from fellow safety Harrison Smith, and Brian Flores has been a big fan, too. A safety might still arrive in the later rounds or as an undrafted free agent, but the first pick will go in a different direction.
3. Trader Kwesi
The Vikings enter the draft with only four choices, and the reason for that is Adofo-Mensah’s trader background, which he brought into the NFL.
Because that number of selections is somewhat laughable (it would be the smallest draft class in franchise history), Adofo-Mensah will once again strike numerous deals, including a trade-down from the 24th spot, potentially even into the second round.
But he won’t stop there and swap some of his later picks, too, and ultimately leave the draft with at least six newcomers.
4. Two Big-Time UDFA Signings
Not only does he love to finalize trades, but he also loves to snatch the top undrafted rookies on the market. In 2023, he brought Andrew Carter II and Ivan Pace Jr. to the Twin Cities. The latter has turned into a star. Last year, he added pass-rusher Gabriel Murphy and cornerback Dwight McGlothern. Both were viewed as draftable players by analysts all over the country and are currently still in valuable positions on the depth chart.
How does he do that? As always, money plays a big role. The Vikings have opened their checkbook to get it done, and they will continue to do so. Expect a couple of UDFAs to be immediate roster candidates.
5. A New IOL Is Drafted
The Vikings have overhauled their interior offensive line after years of struggle. Will Fries and Ryan Kelly take over from Ed Ingram/Dalton Risner, and Garrett Bradbury. The one remaining starter is Blake Brandel, who will get some competition.
Adding new guys is necessary because the Vikings only have five interior blockers, including the three projected starters, as well as Michael Jurgens and Henry Byrd.
The Vikings could either target a guard to challenge Brandel or a center who might challenge him, too, but is primarily a long-term successor for the aging veteran Kelly.
Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and Classic rock is his music genre of choice. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt
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