Questions Answered: Updated Draft Prediction for Vikings, End of Free Agency, Left Guard
The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by VikingsTerritory. Today is the March 21st edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to DustinBakerNFL@gmail.com.
Questions Answered: Updated Draft Prediction for Vikings, End of Free Agency, Left Guard
Also, please note: These are opinion-based responses. Some answers will be incorrect from time to time. But we’ll try to keep that to a minimum.
Q: After seeing free agency, how will the Vikings draft in Round 1?
Answer: Our formal prediction, for now, is a trade back and then the selection of Shavon Revel Jr., a cornerback from East Carolina.
Minnesota doesn’t necessarily have a weakness at cornerback, but if one stacked the talent strength by position, at least for the long term, cornerback might rank near the bottom.
Mekhi Blackmon will return from a torn ACL this summer, and folks will hope that Isaiah Rodgers becomes a 2025 breakout candidate, but after those hopeful maybes, the Vikings could use a young corner in the pipeline.
Give us a trade down by 5-12 spots, with Revel Jr. selected as Minnesota’s first pick of the event.
Q: Are the Vikings done signing free agents?
Answer: Meaningful ones? Probably.
Minnesota is on deck to receive two 2026 compensatory draft picks — a 3rd-Rounder for sure and then a 4th- or 5th-Rounder, depending on Daniel Jones’ role with the Indianapolis Colts.
If the Vikings sign more impactful free agents from the open market, that will probably cancel out the Jones compensatory pick.
Minnesota can still focus on players released by teams this offseason — or wait until the summer to sign regular free agents.
We’d bet the big spending is done.
Q: Do you expect Blake Brandel to start at left guard?
Answer: Yes.
Tyler Booker (iOL, Alabama) and Grey Zabel (iOL, North Dakota State) could be intriguing options for Minnesota with their first draft selection in late April. But generally speaking, Brandel is likely in line to start at left guard in September.
Brandel played well when Christian Darrisaw worked next to him for half the season, but when Darrisaw tore his ACL, Brandel wasn’t quite the same player next to Cam Robinson.
Well, Robinson signed with the Houston Texans this week, and Darrisaw is trending to return in 2025. He might even be back for Week 1.
Tentatively pencil in Brandel as the Week 1 starter, barring a Booker or Zabel draft pick.
Q: Any chance Stefon Diggs signs in Minnesota?
Answer: With Rondale Moore, plus Tim Jones, signing during the last week, any dream of a Diggs reunion can probably be ruled out.
Diggs met with the New England Patriots this week, and Fox Sports‘ Jordan Schultz said about the meeting: “The Patriots visit with WR Stefon Diggs has ended, and while there is no deal in place as of now, both sides intend to remain in contact. As it was described to me, this was more of a ‘get to know you’ and ‘where you’re at medically’ type of meeting.”
It sure sounds like he’ll sign with a new team sometime soon this offseason. Minnesota never really prioritizes WR3 to the utmost, so we’ll remain skeptical that Diggs will morph into a WR3 for the 2025 club.
A reunion, though, would be cool. He seemed to love the Vikings as an organization when he returned to Minnesota for a regular season game last year. And fans did not boo him.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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