9 Rookies the Vikings Should Target with First Draft Pick

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Mar 29, 2025
Michigan State's Derrick Harmon celebrates after a tackle for a loss against Akron during the third quarter on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. 220910 Msu Akron Fb 224. © Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK.

NFL free agency did not disappoint for the Minnesota Vikings this offseason, and the 2025 NFL Draft is the next offseason stop.

9 Rookies the Vikings Should Target with First Draft Pick

The event is 26 days away, and Minnesota is scheduled to pick four times — Rounds 1, 3, 5, and 6.

So, we asked all VikingsTerritory writers to name the player Minnesota should draft with its first pick. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah could trade down, trade up, or stand pat at pick No. 24. Some writers factored in a trade; others did not.

These are their responses — our player recommendations for the draft.

1. Kenneth Grant (DT)
Michigan

VT Writer: Adam New

Michigan defensive lineman Kenneth Grant celebrates a sack on Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. during the College Football Playoff national championship game against Washington at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. © Melanie Maxwell / USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.

Minnesota should go all-in on the defensive line this offseason and finish by drafting Kenneth Grant. The Michigan nose tackle has the tools to be a game-wrecker.

2. Tyler Booker (iOL)
Alabama

VT Writer: Cole Smith

Sep 23, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Tyler Booker (52) and Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) block against Mississippi at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated Mississippi 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports.

Minnesota addressed the interior offensive line in free agency, but Booker would be the finishing touch. Interior defensive line is also possible, but it’s deeper and can be addressed later. Booker clears the rest of his competition comfortably.

3. Jahdae Barron (CB)
Texas

VT Writer: Ted Schwerzler

Dec 2, 2023; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive back J. Barron (23) runs with the ball during the first quarter against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports.

If the Vikings are on the clock at 24 and Jahdae Barron is there, go get him. You immediately have a Day One starter.

4. Grey Zabel (G)
North Dakota State

VT Writer: Ali Siddiqui

Vikings
Mar 1, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; North Dakota State University offensive lineman Grey Zabel (OL50) answers questions at a press conference during the 2025 NFL Combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images.

Minnesota should get more picks. They do not have enough right now, and they should draft a guard early to push Blake Brandel to the limit. Let’s roll with Grey Zabel.

5. Benjamin Morrison (CB)
Notre Dame

VT Writer: Brevan Bane

Notre Dame corner back Benjamin Morrison (20) walks with his team during warm ups before a NCAA college football game between Notre Dame and Northern Illinois at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in South Bend. © Michael Clubb / USA TODAY NETWORK.

Morrison was ruled out for the year early-ish in the 2024 CFB season, but that could end up landing him within reach of Minnesota without moving up. When healthy, he was one of the best corners in the nation and could be a constant in the Vikings’ defense for a long time.

6. Trey Amos (CB)
Ole Miss

VT Writer: Wes Johnson

Aug 31, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive back Trey Amos (9) waits for the snap during the first half against the Furman Paladins at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports.

Amos possesses ideal size at 6’1″ and excels as a press man defender. The Vikings met with Amos at the combine, and his skill set fit seamlessly into DC Brian Flores’ scheme. With the amount of pressure Flores’ system puts on opposing QBs, having depth with guys that can hold up in coverage is a must!

7. Derrick Harmon (DT)
Oregon

VT Writer: Kyle Joudry

Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon celebrates a sack as the No. 1 Oregon Ducks host the Washington Huskies Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. © Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.

My football philosophy very closely mirrors Mike Zimmer’s (I know, I know, it’s old fashioned). If he were there, I would pick Ashton Jeanty in a heartbeat, but he won’t be. Instead, I’ll insist the Vikings opt for Derrick Harmon.

8. Nick Emmanwori (S)
South Carolina

VT Writer: Janik Eckardt

Nov 25, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back Nick Emmanwori (21), linebacker Debo Williams (0), defensive back DQ Smith (1) and wide receiver Ahmarean Brown (10) lead the team onto the field prior to a game against the Clemson Tigers at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports.

Minnesota lost one starting safety in free agency, and another starter is 36 years old, so the safety room needs an infusion of youth. Give Brian Flores the 6’3″ freak athlete with 4.38 speed, a 43″ vertical jump, exciting versatility, and see what happens.

t9. Shavon Revel Jr. (CB)
East Carolina

VT Writer: Dustin Baker

Sep 2, 2021; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; East Carolina Pirates helmet before the game against the Appalachian State Mountaineers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports.

This recommendation operates under the pretense that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will trade back. If that comes true, Minnesota should draft Revel Jr., as the only thing separating him from 1st-Round draft fate is a torn ACL.

He’s this year’s Quinyon Mitchell per talent.

And if Minnesota sticks-and-picks at No. 24, it should draft Jahdae Barron. Get a young corner in the pipeline; the Vikings are a decade overdue in hitting on one in Round 1 or 2.

t9. Shavon Revel Jr. (CB)
East Carolina

VT Writer: Josh Frey

Feb 27, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; East Carolina defensive back S. Revel (DB27) during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tanner Pearson-Imagn Images.

The Vikings might try to trade down in this draft, and Revel is still working on coming back from an ACL tear. He is talented enough to go in the middle of the first round, but with the injury rehab, he likely slips a bit, allowing the Vikings to snag him late in the first or early in the second.

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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.