This Is Who Vikings Fans Predict in Round 1 of the Draft
Minnesota Vikings draft predictions and preferences are plentiful at this time on the calendar, so we found it best to officially snag a prediction from the team’s fan base.
This Is Who Vikings Fans Predict in Round 1 of the Draft
We charted the 32 most likely rookies to be chosen by Minnesota next week and conducted NCAA tournament-style bracket polling on X, the website and app formerly known as Twitter.
After several days of voting, fans commonly agreed on one man as the Vikings’ likeliest rookie with the first pick — Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon.
The Fans Say DT Derrick Harmon
Harmon conquered Aireontae Ersery (OT), Darius Alexander (DT), Walter Nolen (DT), Kenneth Grant (DT), and Grey Zabel (iOL) en route to his polling tournament victory, handling and disposing of most “opponents,” per the estimation of fans.
Harmon and Zabel, however, had a close championship voting round to determine the purple team’s most likely draft pick next Thursday night.
Here’s the final voting tally:
Derrick Harmon’s Scouting Report
Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder scouted Harmon: “The Oregon product has shown a ton of growth this season, evidenced by his increased production with five sacks heading into the College Football Playoff. He has a good rip move that he can get pressure with and has flashed a solid arm-over as a secondary move. Additionally, Harmon can be effective as the pick player in line games with his aggression and strength to catch offensive linemen off-guard and get pressure.”
“However, his use of hands can use some work and he lacks some explosion off the line, hurting his bull rush. Also, he has tight hips that can impact his end and he struggles to throttle and break down in the backfield, leading to missed sacks.”
Harmon would represent youth at defensive tackle in Minnesota next to veterans Jonathan Allen, Javon Hargrave, and Harrison Phillips.
“Overall, Harmon projects as an impact starter who can contribute on all three downs, especially if he continues to grow as a pass-rusher. Schematically, he’d be the best fit as a 2i-technique in even fronts, but he has the versatility to line up anywhere from a 3-technique to nose tackle,” Holder added.
If Not Harmon, Grey Zabel, They Say
Throughout voting on X, Zabel demolished his competition, too, almost at the same clip as Harmon.
But when the two rookies squared off in the end, Harmon prevailed by about 7%.
Make no mistake, though, Vikings fans will not be shocked by a Zabel selection in Round 1.
Grey Zabel’s Scouting Report
Speaking of Zabel, Bleacher Report‘s Brandon Thorn recently profiled him: “Grey Zabel is a two-and-a-half-year starter including 16 starts at left tackle during the 2024 season inside North Dakota’s run-heavy (64-36 run-pass split), multiple-run scheme. Zabel has a well-proportioned build with good athletic ability and play strength.”
“Overall, Zabel shows starter-level physical tools with refined run blocking skills and understanding of leverage that signal he can become an immediate role player and potential starter within his first year or two with center likely being his best fit.”
The Vikings would probably play Zabel at left guard in 2025, swiping Blake Brandel’s spot from the 2024 starting lineup. Other left guard contenders include Michael Jurgens and Walter Rouse.
Vikings fans consider the team’s first draft pick between Harmon and Zabel. Kenneth Grant (DT, Michigan) and Malaki Starks (S, Georgia) also reached the voting’s final four.
Other Notables
If the pick is not Harmon, Zabel, Grant, or Starks, fans narrowed the other four options to these players:
- Jahdae Barron (CB, Texas)
- Nick Emmanwori (S, South Carolina)
- Walter Nolen (DT, Mississippi)
- Shavon Revel Jr. (CB, East Carolina)
Should the pick be Harmon, it will be the first defensive tackle drafted by Minnesota from Round 1 in 12 years.
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