It’s a Mind-Bending Vikings Pick from Trusted Mock Drafter
The 2025 NFL Draft is one day away, and final mock drafts are rolling in, many from the who’s who of NFL punditry.
It’s a Mind-Bending Vikings Pick from Trusted Mock Drafter
Some such draft analysts have better predictive track records than others, and ESPN’s Peter Schrager has accurately forecasted J.J. McCarthy, Justin Jefferson, and Garrett Bradbury to the Vikings in the last six years.
Schrager’s streak with picking the Vikings selection isn’t unblemished, but it’s more credible than most.
So when he chose North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton for Minnesota on Wednesday morning, folks raised eyebrows — in a good way.
Peter Schrager Says RB Omarion Hampton for Vikings
Schrager posted his one-and-only mock draft of the cycle for his new employer, ESPN — he previously worked at NFL.com — connecting Hampton to Minnesota at No. 24.
He explained, “The Vikings have needs elsewhere and wouldn’t list running back as a clear hole on their roster. But if Hampton is on the board, he’d be a wonderful addition to a young core that the organization hopes can grow old together.”
Schrager also had the Vikings mind-bogglingly passing on Michigan cornerback Will Johnson, who fell all the way to No. 28 for the Detroit Lions. “Johnson’s stock has slipped a bit. He had a foot injury last season and was inconsistent for the Wolverines. He also sat out Michigan’s pro day because of a hamstring injury. He’s a top-level talent, though, and he’d be the perfect corner to complement Terrion Arnold,” he noted on Johnson to Detroit.
It’s worth noting that some fans would rather have Johnson than Hampton, but such is life.
Embarrassment of Riches at RB
The Vikings already employ Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, Ty Chandler, and Zavier Scott at running back. Jones re-upped with the purple team for $20 million over two years in March, Mason arrived via trade with the San Francisco 49ers, Chandler will battle for a roster spot this summer, and Scott is a practice squader.
Minnesota has no tangible running back roster need, but onlookers have known for six weeks, since the team’s free-agent haul, that this draft is about adding gravy on the potatoes.
Omarion Hampton Scouting Report
Hampton is an utter beast. He could end up as a more productive NFLer than Dalvin Cook, the last organically drafted Vikings tailback who blossomed.
He’s 6’0″ and 220 pounds, a 22-year-old with 4.46 speed. He doesn’t have many weaknesses and will quickly morph into an every-down back in the pros.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein on Hampton: “High-volume battering ram with a three-ingredient recipe of size, strength and aggression. Hampton is a linear runner lacking creativity and wiggle, but once the gas is engaged, he runs like a downhill truck whose brake lines have been cut. He has the base, balance and power to batter tacklers and reignite runs after contact but he fails to recognize alternative run lanes that offer easier paths and more yardage.”
“He needs to work on his pass protection but can create positive plays on swing passes and screens. Hampton is a tone-setting future starter who can handle a heavy workload, but he absorbs rare levels of heavy contact that could create durability or longevity issues if he doesn’t learn to pick and choose his battles.”
The Draft Network‘s Ryan Fowler: “Hampton showcases an excellent blend of speed and power that forces teams to add bodies into the box. Aligned primarily in the hip pocket of the QB in shotgun, Hampton explodes through the mesh point. Primary zone runner. Quick to identify his rush lane and will arrive at the line of scrimmage at full speed. One of the most explosive runners in the country who can tempo his footwork and then accelerate to full speed rapidly.”
“Hampton showcases excellent ball security within traffic and is always falling forward. Minimal wasted movement as a runner. Quick to get north-south and operates with a low pad level. Willingness to initiate contact will wear on a front seven. Stays disciplined in following his blockers but an increased willingness to attack backside cut lanes or create chunk plays as a pure athlete would elevate his projection further.”
Our Draft Endorsement
One week ago, the author of this article endorsed — you guessed it — Hampton to the Vikings and his foremost preference for the purple team in the 2025 NFL Draft.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah should stick-and-pick at No. 24, avoiding trades down the board, if Hampton, Jahdae Barron (CB, Texas), Kenneth Grant (DT, Michigan), or the aforementioned Johnson are there for the taking.
By drafting Hampton, Minnesota would ensure that its three-season-long rushing woes would end, a naughty streak that has prevented Kevin O’Connell’s offense from thoroughly cooking.
Empowering quarterback J.J. McCarthy with Hampton, Jones, and Mason on Sundays would be blissful. Can’t-miss solutions to a longstanding problem.
Other Hampton Landing Spots
In all likelihood, Hampton won’t fall to Minnesota at No. 24, not in the draft 2.5 months after Saquon Barkley carried the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl.
Running backs suddenly feel important again, and the Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, and Denver Broncos probably won’t allow Hampton to tumble all the way to Adofo-Mensah’s spot on the board.
But if they do, the Vikings should bring Schrager’s mock to life.
A 3rd Vikings QB Is on the Way
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