Here’s Who the Vikings Should Target on Saturday

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Apr 26, 2025
Jan 20, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Cody Simon (0) against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the CFP National Championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings have two days of the 2025 NFL Draft in the rearview, now on deck to pick two more players on Saturday.

Here’s Who the Vikings Should Target on Saturday

General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah currently possesses a 5th-Round pick at the very top of the round and another three spots later after a Friday night trade with the Houston Texans.

So far, Adofo-Mensah has drafted Donovan Jackson from Ohio State, an offensive guard, and Tai Felton of Maryland, a wide receiver.

Here’s who Minnesota should target on Saturday, the draft’s final day.

1. Billy Bowman Jr. (S)

Age: 22
College: Oklahoma
Height & Weight: 5’10” | 195
Consensus Big Board Ranking: 101

Oct 12, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. (2) intercepts a pass during the first quarter against the Texas Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images.

Why Bowman Jr.?

The only reason Bowman Jr. is a mid-to-late prospect and not a 2nd- or 3rd-Rounder is size. He’s 5’10,” which is small for a safety.

Aside from that limitation, he’s a total ball hawk, and planning for life after Harrison Smith can start as early as Saturday with a Bowman Jr. draft pick.

2. Oronde Gadsden II (TE)

Age: 22
College: Syracuse
Height & Weight: 6’5″ | 240
Consensus Big Board Ranking: 166

vikings
Oct 1, 2022; Syracuse, New York, USA; Syracuse Orange wide receiver Oronde Gadsden II (19) prior to the game against the Wagner Seahawks at JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports.

Why Gadsden II?

Two tight ends exist on Minnesota’s current roster: T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver. It needs a third and maybe even a fourth. Gadsden II is a gifted pass-catching tight end.

3. Ollie Gordon II (RB)

Age: 21
College: Oklahoma State
Height & Weight: 6’2″ | 225
Consensus Big Board Ranking: 158

Nov 2, 2024; Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys running back Ollie Gordon II (0) reacts after a touchdown during the second quarter against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images.

Why Gordon II?

Kevin O’Connell’s offense almost refuses to score rushing touchdowns at a normal clip inside the 5-yard line. It’s weird.

Gordon, at 6’2″ and 225, would help remedy that issue.

4. Cam Jackson (DT)

Age: 22
College: Florida
Height & Weight: 6’6″ | 330
Consensus Big Board Ranking: 177

Nov 23, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators defensive lineman Cam Jackson (99) celebrates after a sack against the Mississippi Rebels during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images.

Why Jackson?

Indeed, Brian Flores has Levi Drake Rodriguez and Taki Taimani on his depth chart, two hopeful defensive tackles. But Jackson would represent another nose tackle option, and Minnesota hasn’t prioritized a nose tackle since Dalvin Tomlinson left a couple of years ago.

5. Aeneas Peebles (DT)

Age: 23
College: Virginia Tech
Height & Weight: 6’1″ | 290
Consensus Big Board Ranking: 134

Sep 7, 2024; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies defensive lineman Aeneas Peebles (16) celebrates after a sack during the second quarter against the Marshall Thundering Herd at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images.

Why Peebles?

Peebles isn’t overly large for his position, but undersized defenders rarely faze the Vikings. He’s a pass rusher through and through, who can be inserted on obvious passing downs.

6. J.J. Pegues (DT)

Age: 23
College: Ole Miss
Height & Weight: 6’2″ | 325
Consensus Big Board Ranking: 156

Oct 28, 2023; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive linemen JJ Pegues (89) runs the ball during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports.

Why Pegues?

The Vikings met with Pegues via Top 30 visit a couple of weeks ago, and as a former tight end, he has athleticism galore in the middle of the defensive trenches.

7. Cody Simon (LB)

Age: 23
College: Ohio State
Height & Weight: 6’2″ | 240
Consensus Big Board Ranking: 138

Jan 20, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Cody Simon (0) reacts against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the CFP National Championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.

Why Simon?

Brian Asamoah has not really panned out for the Vikings, and they just go out of their way not to use him on defense. Blake Cashman and Ivan Pace Jr. are more than satisfactory for starters’ jobs, but the Vikings should have a rookie in the development pipeline — hopefully better than Asamoah.

8. Brashard Smith (RB)

Age: 22
College: SMU
Height & Weight: 5’10” | 200
Consensus Big Board Ranking: 145

Sep 28, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs running back Brashard Smith (1) celebrates a touchdown during the game between the Southern Methodist Mustangs and the Florida State Seminoles at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images.

Why Smith?

The Vikings met with Smith via Top 30 visit, and he named Minnesota as one of his favorite would-be places of NFL employment.

He began his football journey as a wide receiver, transitioning to running back at SMU. He can pass block, catch passes, and play special teams — in addition to serving an RB2 or RB3 role. Sign him up with the first pick in Round 5.

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