PFF Names “Surprise” Draft Pick for Vikings
In eight days — yes, it’s that close — the Minnesota Vikings will set sail on the 2025 NFL Draft, holstering just four draft picks but maintaining a roster that could be ripe for Super Bowl contention.
PFF Names “Surprise” Draft Pick for Vikings
Vikings fans have no shortage of draft endorsements and predictions, most believing the team will leave Round 1 of the event with a cornerback, offensive guard, defensive tackle, or safety.
But if the pick surprises the masses, Pro Football Focus thinks it has the mind-bender figured out: UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger.
PFF Names LB Carson Schwesinger as the Vikings’ Surprise Pick
PFF named a surprise draft pick for each NFL team this week, and at Minnesota’s No. 24 spot, it nominated Schwesinger.
Dalton Wasserman explained, “Schwesinger’s athleticism and versatility would likely appeal to Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Andrew Van Ginkel and Blake Cashman both have contracts that expire within the next two years. Schwesinger is a speedy tackling machine at linebacker, but he also posted a 90.0 pass-rush grade in his lone season as a starter at UCLA.”
Other examples of surprise picks included Shedeur Sanders, not Cam Ward, to the Tennessee Titans and Ashton Jeanty to the New England Patriots.
The article basically outlined the “out there” draft scenarios, a bit of a fun exercise after hundreds, if not thousands, of standard mock drafts.
Carson Schwesinger’s Scouting Report
Who’s Carson Schwesinger? Well, he’s a 22-year-old off-ball linebacker, standing 6’2 and weighing 240 pounds. His position on the Consensus Big Board is No. 47, so not only would he offer a roster surprise for the purple team, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah would reach — quite a bit — for the young defender.
NFL Draft Buzz profiled Schwesinger this offseason: “Schwesinger currently fits the bill of a developmental WILL linebacker with core special teams value out of the gate. Shows natural instincts and plus movement skills but needs to add mass and improve block destruction to earn defensive snaps. Three-down potential if he can maintain athleticism while getting stronger.”
“Ideal fit in a 4-3 system that lets him play in space and shoot gaps rather than consistently taking on blocks. Should make immediate impact covering kicks while developing into quality backup linebacker. Day 3 prospect with upside to grow into defensive sub-package role.”
The Bruin might be slightly thin-framed for an inside linebacker, which would explain his current Round 2 draft stock.
NDB added, “Development track requires getting stronger at point of attack without sacrificing twitch. Flashes playmaking ability but must improve consistency reading keys and trusting eyes. Lunch pail mentality and special teams value give him clear path to stick on roster while expanding role.”
Why a Surprise?
Schwesinger as the Vikings’ pick would raise eyebrows for two reasons. Foremost, Minnesota has Blake Cashman and Ivan Pace Jr. on the depth chart in very established starters’ roles. Adofo-Mensah would draft Schwesinger, per the PFF prediction, and he’d promptly sit on the bench.
The working theory is that he’d sniff playing time when injuries emerged. Cashman and Pace Jr. aren’t old, meaning the Schwesinger pick would confuse onlookers.
Second, to reiterate, the UCLA defender can likely be scooped from Round 2, not Round 1. If the Vikings did not trade back and drafted Schwesinger at their organic 24th draft position, analysts would call the pick a serious reach and claim Minnesota could’ve traded back, still landed the rookie, and added an extra draft pick or two.
Hence the surprise aspect of PFF’s surprise prediction.
Homage to Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks
Eleven years ago, Minnesota drafted linebacker Anthony Barr from UCLA, Schwesinger’s school, and Barr stayed in purple for Mike Zimmer’s entire coaching reign. One year after Barr turned purple, former general manager Rick Spielman drafted Eric Kendricks, Barr’s college roommate at UCLA, in Round 2 of the 2015 NFL Draft.
Both feasted for years in Zimmer’s defense and live snugly in Vikings lore to this day.
Picking Schwesinger, although weird in Round 1, would continue Minnesota’s commitment to UCLA linebackers. The blueprint is rich.
Other Surprise Candidates
Outside of PFF’s projection, other possible surprise candidates for Minnesota’s draft exist. Adofo-Mensah could draft one of these men at No. 24, and fans would be quite shocked:
- Luther Burden III (WR, Missouri)
- Emeka Egbuka (WR, Ohio State)
- Matthew Golden (WR, Texas)
- Omarion Hampton (RB, North Carolina)
- TreVeyon Henderson (RB, Ohio State)
- Colston Loveland (TE, Michigan)
Adofo-Mensah doesn’t need offensive playmakers at No. 24, but he will have the chance to decide on an embarrassment of riches for J.J. McCarthy, the team’s young quarterback. One or a couple of the players listed above will be there at No. 24.
The Vikings’ Draft Frontrunners
For non-surprise candidates, these are the purple frontrunners:
- Jahdae Barron (CB, Texas)
- Nick Emmanwori (S, South Carolina)
- Kenneth Grant (DT, Michigan)
- Derrick Harmon (DT, Oregon)
- Walter Nolen (DT, Mississippi)
- Shavon Revel Jr. (CB, East Carolina)
- Malaki Starks (S, Georgia)
- Grey Zabel (iOL, North Dakota State)
The draft takes place in Green Bay this go-round. Yep, there. The Packers will actually make their pick one spot ahead of Minnesota after a third-place finish in the NFC North last season.
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