Adam New’s Vikings Mock Draft 3.0

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Apr 15, 2025
Oct 5, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman Kenneth Grant (78) celebrates a missed field goal by the Washington Huskies, topic during the first quarter at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images.

It’s time for my third installment of a Vikings mock draft for 2025 — you can see my first and second mocks by clicking the links. Minnesota’s general manager, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, has set himself up well, leading into the draft. The Vikings don’t have a desperate positional need, and Adofo-Mensah could go several different ways in this draft.

However, with only four draft picks to play, the expectation is that the Vikings GM will trade down at least once to accumulate more picks.

Adam New’s Vikings Mock Draft 3.0

We start the ball rolling with a trade. The only one that appears in this mock, with the Vikings flipping the 24th and 187th overall picks for the 32nd, 64th, and 168th overall picks with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Round 1: Pick 32
Kenneth Grant (DT) Michigan

Trading back and picking up a difference-maker in the middle of the defensive line like Michigan’s Kenneth Grant would be the dream scenario. Grant brings a rare combination of quickness and size to the nose tackle position – 6’3 and 339 lbs.

Vikings mock draft
Jan 8, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman Kenneth Grant (78) against the Washington Huskies during the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.

Blending that size with speed, Grant is an imposing player when he is in attack mode. Grant would give the Vikings a huge physical presence alongside Harrison Phillips in short-yardage situations in his rookie season and give the Vikings even more interior pass-rush alongside new signings Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. Adding Grant into the mix makes the Vikings’ defensive front the stuff of nightmares for opposing offenses.

Round 2: Pick 64
Andrew Mukuba
(S) Texas

Now armed with a second-round pick, I address the other end of the defense. Minnesota needs to add to their secondary, and I do so here with Texas safety Andrew Mukuba.

With excellent instincts and athleticism in coverage, Mukuba would make a good free safety option for the Vikings. He would compete with Theo Jackson for the role and leave Josh Metellus in his hybrid role. Mukuba is weak in run defense, where his slight frame and lack of physicality show up, and he whiffs on too many tackles. There will need to be improvement in that area of his game if he is to become a permanent starter in Minnesota.

Round 3: Pick 97
Dorian Strong
(CB) Virginia Tech

We keep it all defense on the first two days of the draft with Virginia Tech CB Dorian Strong. Brian Flores hand-picked Isaiah Rodgers as a free-agency acquisition, so I expect him to take on the lead CB duties alongside Byron Murphy.

Jul 23, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; Virginia Tech cornerback Dorian Strong answers questions from the media during the ACC Kickoff at Hilton Charlotte Uptown. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports.

That leaves a third-rounder like Strong to add depth alongside Mekhi Blackmon and Dwight McGlothern as sufficient. A smart, competitive zone-scheme cornerback with a natural ability to get his hands on passes and cause constant disruption at the catch point. Strong should fit nicely into the Vikings’ CB room.

Round 5: Pick 139
Damien Martinez
(RB) Miami (FL)

Early in the draft process, there was lots of talk about the Vikings choosing an RB early – perhaps even in the first round. Following Aaron Jones’s re-signing on a two-year contract and a trade with San Francisco for Jordan Mason – taking an RB so early doesn’t make much sense to me. In what is a deep class at the position, waiting to see who’s still available on Day 3 is the way to go.

Jan 28, 2025; Mobile, AL, USA; National team defensive back Sebastian Castro of Iowa (29) stops National team running back Damien Martinez of Miami (32) during Senior Bowl practice for the National team at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images.

Here, I snag Miami’s Damien Martinez, a big powerful back that should complement Jones and Mason. At 6 feet tall and 235 pounds, Martinez’s game is not about finesse, but he will add a physical component to a running back committee. To become more than that, he needs to greatly improve his receiver ability.

Round 5: Pick 168
Tyler Cooper
(G) Minnesota

The last area that needs addressing in this draft is guard.

Leaving it this late means the Vikings will show faith in Blake Brandel for a second season at left guard, hoping he improves his consistency. Staying close to home with Minnesota’s Tyler Cooper would give the Vikings a developmental prospect who could take over from Brandel down the line. Cooper is a good fit in a wide-zone offense that wins with technique and intelligence.

Nov 25, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers wide receiver Daniel Jackson (9) celebrates his 7-yard touchdown reception against the Wisconsin Badgers with offensive lineman Tyler Cooper (75), offensive lineman Aireontae Ersery (69), and running back Jordan Nubin (30) during the second quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports.

At 6’5 and 302 lbs, Cooper needs to add weight and strength to become a pro-level starter. With time to develop, he could follow the path of new Vikings right guard Will Fries, a seventh-round pick for Indianapolis in 2021.

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