The Vikings Could Just … Get Their Draft Picks Back?
When the Minnesota Vikings embark on the 2025 NFL Draft in 10 days, they have just four picks on the menu, the fewest in the NFL, and an assortment that leads many to believe they’ll trade during the event.
The Vikings Could Just … Get Their Draft Picks Back?
In a past life, Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah worked as a trader on Wall Street, and his previous tactics have translated seamlessly to the NFL. The man trades — a lot.
And inside this year’s draft, he could merely get his old picks via trade — the ones he donated last year to the Jacksonville Jaguars for outside linebacker Dallas Turner.
Jacksonville Jaguars as a Trade Partner
The Jaguars’ main draft selection this go-round is the fifth overall pick, capital they accrued because of a poor season in 2024. Most mock drafts — damn near all of them — expect Jacksonville to choose Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham. Of course, that’s only a theory, but it’s wildly popular.
And after that, the Jaguars’ picks look like this:
- Round 1 — 5th overall
- Round 2 — 36th
- Round 3 — 70th
- Round 3 — 88th
- Round 4 — 107th
- Round 4 — 126th
- Round 5 — 142nd
- Round 6 — 182nd
- Round 6 — 194th
- Round 7 — 221st
The Dallas Turner Trade Last Year
In 2024, Adofo-Mensah grabbed the 17th overall pick from Jacksonville, which he used on Dallas Turner, and the Jaguars received No. 23 overall, No. 167 overall in the 5th Round, a 2025 3rd-Round pick, and a 2025 4th-Round pick. Before that transaction, the Vikings sold their 2025 2nd-Rounder to the Houston Texans in a deal to get the 23rd pick.
Therefore, most of the mid-round 2025 capital was spent on Turner via trade with the Jaguars.
What a Trade Might Look Like
This time, if Minnesota seeks a trade partner, well, the Jaguars have oodles of picks — courtesy of the Vikings.
Here’s what a Vikings-Jaguars trade might look like if Adofo-Mensah, indeed, wants to move down the board:
Vikings Get:
Pick No. 36 | Round 2
Pick No. 88 | Round 3
Pick No. 126 | Round 4
Jaguars Get:
Pick No. 24
So, yes, in a roundabout manner, Minnesota would basically re-acquire its previous picks, which would feel a little poetic.
Vikings.com Weighs In
Vikings.com’s Craig Peters opined on the Jaguars as a trade partner this week in that site’s mailbag publication.
Peters wrote, “A team’s confidence in its process that has (in the Vikings case) led to multiple successes with undrafted free agents in recent years could make it more prone to stand pat, especially if the perceived value at No. 24 exceeds expectations for what could be gained by moving down. Jacksonville does have 10 selections, to go along with a history of deals with Minnesota.”
“The 10-spot was boosted by two selections that Minnesota sent (third round, 88th overall and fourth round, 126th overall) to the Jaguars last year as part of the deal to get the pick used on Dallas Turner, who was tabbed 17th overall.”
Other teams could be trade pals with Minnesota, but not every club has 10 picks like Jacksonville.
“The Vikings also were able to trade for former Jags tackle Cam Robinson in the aftermath of Christian Darrisaw’s injury last October. Jacksonville does have a new GM, James Gladstone, who was previously with the Rams,” Peters added.
Options at Pick No. 36
If Minnesota pulled off the deal involving the Jaguars’ 36th overall pick, these players may be in play:
- Trey Amos (CB, Mississippi)
- Tyler Booker (G, Alabama)
- Emeka Egbuka (WR, Ohio State)
- Maxwell Hairston (CB, Kentucky)
- TreVeyon Henderson (RB, Ohio State)
- Donovan Jackson (G, Ohio State)
- Benjamin Morrison (CB, Notre Dame)
- Shavon Revel Jr. (CB, East Carolina)
The draft will take place in Green Bay, Wisconsin. If Adofo-Mensah fires off a trade with his 24th pick, it’s expected to occur on draft night and probably not before because all parties will want to examine the draft board at the time of the deal.
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