5 Bold Predictions for the Vikings in April
Eleven weeks of the Minnesota Vikings’ offseason are in the rearview, with free agency basically over and the 2025 NFL Draft 26 days away.
5 Bold Predictions for the Vikings in April
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has signed Ryan Kelly (C), Will Fries (G), Jonathan Allen (DT), Javon Hargrave (DT), Jordan Mason (RB, trade), Isaiah Rodgers (CB), Jeff Okudah (CB), and Rondale Moore (WR) in free agency in addition to re-upping with Aaron Jones (RB), Byron Murphy Jr. (CB), Theo Jackson (S), and Harrison Smith (S).
So, with the NFL draft less than four weeks away, these are the five bold predictions for the month of April, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = most important event).
5. No QB2 Added
Asked about the Vikings’ plan to sign a QB2 behind J.J. McCarthy, Adofo-Mensah replied this week, “We’re trying to improve the team but are mindful of our compensatory pick situation and different things like that. We’re really just trying to be mindful of that, and the right way to, you know, set us up to succeed, but also be mindful of all the different factors we have.”
If the Vikings signed Drew Lock, for example, this very moment, that transaction would likely wipe out a 2026 compensatory pick gained from Daniel Jones’ free-agent departure to the Indianapolis Colts.
Adofo-Mensah won’t sign a QB2 until after the draft — when the player can join the team without canceling next year’s compensatory pick.
4. Vikings Draft RB Brashard Smith in Later Rounds
KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson wrote this week, “SMU running back Brashard Smith has a visit with the Texans in addition to the Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings and the Dallas Cowboys. An All-Atlantic Coast Conference first-team selection, Smith rushed for 1,332 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. He caught 39 passes for 327 yards and four touchdowns. He never fumbled in his college career.”
Smith can block in pass protection, which feels like a prerequisite for Vikings running back in Kevin O’Connell’s offense.
Minnesota will draft Smith in Round 5 or 6, and he’ll swipe Ty Chandler’s job this summer.
3. Kwesi Trades Twice before Making 1st Draft Selection
Trading down from pick No. 24 won’t necessarily grant the Vikings more draft capital per trade charts — unless Adofo-Mensah pulls off a fleece — but it will fetch more picks.
And after Adofo-Mensah traded most of the 2025 draft class away for Dallas Turner last year, he needs more picks. Plain and simple.
So, before making any selections on draft night, he’ll trade twice and end up picking between No. 35 and 45.
2. First Draft Pick Is a Cornerback
Minnesota’s first pick of the draft will be one of these men — all cornerbacks:
- Trey Amos
- Jahdae Barron
- Maxwell Hairston
- Benjamin Morrison
- Shavon Revel Jr.
- Azareye’h Thomas
In the area that Minnesota will pick — after the aforementioned trades down — a cornerback will represent the finest value and blend best player available.
Fingers crossed that it’s Revel Jr.
1. Vikings Sign Jaire Alexander or Asante Samuel Jr.
Sooner or later, the Green Bay Packers will release Jaire Alexander, and Adofo-Mensah will gauge his interest in joining the Packers’ rival via free agency.
Alexander would push the Vikings’ cornerback room over the top, and Minnesota has the money to onboard Alexander.
If this one is wrong, also keep an eye on Asante Samuel Jr. to Minnesota, a man who curiously hasn’t signed anywhere in free agency.
The Newest Viking … with the Most Upside
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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