PFF Says Defense in Latest Vikings Mock Draft
The Minnesota Vikings have a handful of roster needs after a productive 14-3 season, ranging from cornerback, interior offensive line, interior defensive line, to running back.
PFF Says Defense in Latest Vikings Mock Draft
The club will select 24th on draft night in 12 weeks, and according to Pro Football Focus, the Vikings will draft Ohio State’s Tyleik Williams.
PFF’s Josh Liskiewitz mocked Williams to Minnesota and explained this week: “Drafting Williams would go a long way toward improving a run defense that looked outmatched against Detroit in 2024, as Williams graded positively on 27.1% of run plays last season, a top-five rate in the nation.”
Minnesota has not employed an impact defensive tackle at Williams’ spot since 2013. That was the year a different Williams — Kevin Williams — ended his career in purple, and since, the Vikings have cycled through mediocre DT performers like Shamar Stephen, Armon Watts, and Jonathan Bullard.
In fact, purple fans hope for the franchise to invest in a pass-rushing interior defensive lineman each offseason, and the best it can do is stints with Sheldon Richardson during the Mike Zimmer era. Perhaps it’s time to take the plunge with a DT like Williams or Ole Miss’ Walter Nolen.
Liskiewitz also chose an offensive guard, Tate Ratledge of Georgia in Round 3, for Minnesota and noted, “Ratledge specializes in pass protection. He gave up just two sacks and six quarterback hits over three seasons as a starter for the Bulldogs.”
As it stands, the Vikings will have just four picks in the 2025 NFL Draft after selling the mid-round farm for outside linebacker Dallas Turner last April. It’s the 24th overall pick, a compensatory 3rd-Rounder due to Kirk Cousins’ free-agent exit last year, and two 5th-Rounders, at least for now.
The Draft Network‘s Damian Parson describes Williams’ skill set: “Williams projects as a starting interior defensive lineman who can play multiple positions. He can play the 1, 2i, 3, and 4i positions. He will add power and near-elite run defending to an NFL defensive front. Williams has untapped potential as a pass rusher and offers three-down upside as a prospect.”
Minnesota’s defense ranked second in the NFL per EPA/Play in 2024, an unexpected outcome driven by Brian Flores’ aggressive scheme. Most fans would’ve predicted a Top 12 or 15 finish per defensive efficiency, but Flores blew that out of the water.
If Minnesota does not draft Williams, a cornerback like Shavon Revel Jr. (East Carolina) or Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame) could be enticing. Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron should be available late in Round 1, too.
The NFL draft is 85 days away.
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 Vikings 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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