Mel Kiper Has One Player in Mind for Vikings Mock Draft

Howard Smith-US PRESSWIRE.

The 2025 NFL Draft is 92 days away, and the Minnesota Vikings will pick 24th in the event if no trades are conducted.

Mel Kiper Has One Player in Mind for Vikings Mock Draft

Minnesota finished 14-3 in 2024 but flamed out of the postseason’s 1st Round, a true one-and-done after a spectacular and unforeseen regular season.

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.

So, it’s suddenly mock draft season, and according to ESPN’s Mel Kiper, the Vikings will invest in defense, probably cornerback Benjamin Morrison from Notre Dame. Kiper mocked Morrison to Minnesota this week and explained, “Morrison missed all but six games in 2024 with a hip injury, but he’s a top-tier cover man. He has sound technique, and he has the ball skills to keep Minnesota’s INT total high. Morrison had nine picks and 21 pass breakups over his career.”

The hip injury will scare Vikings fans — rightfully so, to a degree — but Minnesota will, of course, do the diligence on his recovery before potentially drafting the young defender.

Vikings Mock Draft
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As it stands, entering the offseason, these are Minnesota’s corners under contract for 2025:

  • Mekhi Blackmon
  • Dwight McGlothern
  • NaJee Thompson
  • Reddy Steward
  • Kahlef Hailassie
  • Nahshon Wright
  • Ambry Thomas

That’s it. It’s a bit spooky.

Of course, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah can re-sign Pro Bowler Byron Murphy and substantially ease the anxiety. The Vikings are scheduled to own roughly $60 million in cap space, so Murphy’s extension is fair game. The purple team could also re-up with a veteran like Stephon Gilmore or Shaquill Griffin, but those two are aging veterans who cannot be classified as long-term solutions.

Morrison, conversely, is 20 years old and won’t turn 21 until March. He can be a future solution for Minnesota’s secondary if he falls to pick No. 24, so long as his hip is in working order.

The Draft Network’s Ryan Fowler describes Morrison: “Benjamin Morrison is a technically elite corner who projects as a long-term core contributor for an NFL defense. He aligns both as a field and boundary corner, wherever the top wideout for the opposition aligns before the snap.”

Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison (20) walks with his team during warm-ups before an 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’s list of weaknesses is tiny, perhaps needing to add a bit of strength, which would, in theory, bolster his run defense.

Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer posted a mock draft last week, also featuring Morrison to Minnesota. He explained, “The Vikings need some real help on the back end for their defense as they gave up a ton of big plays and yardage to outside wide receivers in 2024. Morrison’s size, savvy and on-ball playmaking smarts can fit them well as he should make a full recovery from the hip injury that cut short his college season.”

If Minnesota wants a corner in Round 1 but doesn’t trust Morrison’s hip, men like Shavon Revel Jr. (East Carolina) and Jahdae Barron (Texas) could be available at pick No. 24.

Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison addresses media after a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, in South Bend. © MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK.

The Vikings’ defense ranked second in the NFL this season per EPA/Play.

Minnesota hasn’t nailed a cornerback draft pick since Trae Waynes … 10 years ago, and even he didn’t fully live up to his draft spot.


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.