Nostradamus Guy Predicts the Vikings’ Draft Pick
In 2022, the Minnesota Vikings employed a brand new general manager and head coach, leading fans to complete cluelessness about how the franchise would draft that offseason.
Nostradamus Guy Predicts the Vikings’ Draft Pick
Some thought Minnesota would wind down the Kirk Cousins era at quarterback, with men like Kenny Pickett and Malik Willis as rookie options.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah wisely avoided that quarterback class.
And before the 2022 NFL Draft, one man mind-bogglingly predicted the purple team to draft Lewis Cine and Andrew Booth with its first two picks — NFL.com’s Chad Reuter.
He nailed it in 2022, the only pundit even remotely close to doing so. You can read his 2022 mock draft with the Cine + Booth picks here.
Here’s what he says about the Vikings’ 2025 draft, the 2022 Nostradamus.
A Trade Back with BUF + a Nick Emmanwori Draft Pick
Nailing the 2022 draft for Minnesota, Reuter can be considered a fairly trustworthy source for purple predictions in 2025.
So, he forecasted a trade with the Buffalo Bills in his final mock and eventual selection of Nick Emmanwori, a safety from South Carolina. Reuter explained the pick: “Projected trade with the Buffalo Bills. Emmanwori and Harrison Smith would form a nice safety duo for the Vikings. The rookie could play in the box, over slot receivers and cover the back end when called upon.”
Reuter claimed the Bills would draft EDGE rusher Mike Green at pick No. 24 and detailed the theoretical purple trade: “Buffalo has already invested in the pass rush this offseason, signing Joey Bosa and Mike Hoecht and extending Gregory Rousseau. Then again, Bosa has a history of injury issues, Hoecht is facing a suspension for the season’s first six games, A.J. Epenesa is entering a contract year and the Bills still have not found a hybrid player to replace Von Miller — a vacancy that fits Green’s game.”
“Minnesota receives two fourth-round picks from the Bills in the deal, which is ideal for the Vikings, since they otherwise have just four selections due to past trades.”
Therefore, it’s a move down the board of six spots for Minnesota, grabbing two 4th-Rounders for their troubles.
Who’s Nick Emmanwori?
Emmanwori, a safety, is unquestionably a mock draft darling from a national viewpoint for Minnesota. He turned 21 in February and is 6’3″ and 230 pounds — ideal safety size.
Bleacher Report‘s Cory Giddings on Emmanwori: “Nick Emmanwori is a physically imposing safety prospect with a rare blend of size and movement skills for the position. At 6’3″ and 227 pounds, Emmanwori plays like a modern hybrid linebacker-safety, excelling in run support and physical matchups. His size, physicality, and athletic ability make him an intriguing prospect for teams looking for a versatile defender.”
“He is also a powerful tackler who regularly limits yards after contact by meeting ball-carriers head-on. Despite his strengths, Emmanwori’s narrowed vision can lead to missed plays, and he sometimes struggles to adjust his angles on the edge, allowing ball-carriers to escape contain.”
Minnesota will welcome Harrison Smith back in 2025, but it’s unclear if Smith will return in 2026 and beyond. Drafting Emmanwori would effectively plan early for Smith’s retirement.
Giddings added, “Nick Emmanwori projects as an early-round pick with the potential to become a highly versatile defender, particularly in run-heavy defensive schemes or as a hybrid safety-linebacker. His size and physicality make him a perfect fit for matchups against tight ends and in-the-box play, though he will need to develop better coverage skills and range to maximize his potential at the next level.”
The Other Picks from Chad Reuter
Here’s the full haul for Minnesota, per Reuter:
R1: Nick Emmanwori (S, South Carolina)
R3: Jaylin Smith (CB, USC)
R4: Dylan Fairchild (G, Georgia)
R4: Tyler Batty (EDGE, BYU)
R5: Brashard Smith (RB, SMU)
R6: Jake Briningstool (TE, Clemson)
Jaylin Smith (CB) Scouting Report
Smith is somewhat new to the Minnesota mock draft orbit. He lives at pick No. 221 on the current Consensus Big Board, which translates to Round 7. If Reuter is correct about Adofo-Mensah pulling him from Round 3, he’d be a reach, at least per the draft community.
Smith is 5’11 and 190 pounds. He turned 21 last November.
NFL Draft Buzz on Smith: “Smith’s film reveals a developmental prospect whose versatility could be both blessing and curse at the next level. His experience across the secondary provides scheme flexibility, but that constant position switching has left some fundamental gaps that need addressing through focused coaching.”
“The flashes of brilliance — like his game-saving tackle against LSU and lockdown coverage against Washington’s quick game – show what Smith can become with proper development. However, his overall body of work suggests a player who will need time to refine his technique before competing for defensive snaps.”
Smith was a teammate of current Vikings players Jordan Addison and Mekhi Blackmon at USC.
NBD added, “Coordinators will see Smith as an intriguing late-round option with immediate special teams value and upside as a subpackage defender. His competitive nature and willingness to contribute in multiple phases could help him stick on a roster while developing into a reliable nickel corner down the line.”
On the whole, Smith is severely unlikely to fly off the board in Round 3.
Safety Is the Call from National Draft Brains
Local Minneapolis media tend to believe that Adofo-Mensah will select a defensive tackle, offensive guard, or cornerback with his first pick.
The national viewpoint, however, continues to suggest a safety like Emmanwori or Georgia’s Malaki Starks, with the event just three days away.
Something’s gotta give. We shall see if Reuter nails it again — like the Cine + Booth combo prediction three years ago.
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