Mel Kiper Unveils Glorious Vikings Mock Draft
The NFL Draft is exactly five weeks away.
Mel Kiper Unveils Glorious Vikings Mock Draft
The Minnesota Vikings have the 24th overall pick in Round 1 and three selections after that — the fewest in the NFL this go-round.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah crossed off all major roster needs during free agency, so Minnesota can truly explore the best player available at pick No. 24.
And according to Mel Kiper, via his recent post-free agency mock draft, it’s Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron for the Vikings.
The Kiper Mock = Jahdae Barron
Kiper connected Minnesota to Barron at No. 24 and wrote, “Minnesota made some big splashes in free agency as it tries to take the NFC North from the Lions. Among them were deals to re-sign Byron Murphy Jr. and bring in Isaiah Rodgers, but I’m not sure the Vikings should — or will — be done adding to the cornerback room.”
“Barron, meanwhile, picked off five passes last season, showing his ball skills. He ran a 4.39 at the combine, showing his speed. And he played more than 600 snaps at both slot corner and outside corner over the past two seasons, showing his versatility. I really like this fit.”
At the top of the ticket for Kiper, Miami’s Cam Ward (QB, Miami) went to the Tennessee Titans, Abdul Carter (EDGE, Penn State) to the Cleveland Browns, and Shedeur Sanders (QB, Colorado) landed with the New York Giants.
Two weeks ago, another ESPN personality, Jordan Reid, also mock-drafted Barron to the Vikings. It’s a theme from that network and this team.
The 2025 Purple CB Room
So far this offseason, Minnesota has re-upped with Pro Bowl corner Byron Murphy Jr., added Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okduah, and accommodated a few depth defensive backs who will vie for roster spots at training camp and in the preseason.
This is Minnesota’s new look CB group, with newcomers in bold:
CB1: Byron Murphy Jr.
CB2: Mekhi Blackmon
CB3: Isaiah Rodgers
CB4: Jeff Okudah
CB5: Dwight McGlothern
CB6: Tavierre Thomas
CB7: NaJee Thompson
CB8: Nahshon Wright
CB9: Ambry Thomas
CB10: Reddy Steward
CB11: Kahlef Hailassie
Other free agents like Mike Hilton, Asante Samuel Jr., and Rasul Douglas remain available on the open market as of March 20th, but Barron could become the 2025 offseason cake-topper at cornerback.
If Not Barron — Who?
The Vikings have notably signed Ryan Kelly (C), Will Fries (G), Jonathan Allen (DT), Javon Hargrave (DT), Isaiah Rodgers (CB), Jeff Okudah (CB), and Rondale Moore (WR) in free agency in addition to extending Aaron Jones (RB), Byron Murphy Jr. (CB), Theo Jackson (S), and Harrison Smith (S).
And that’s all before the draft.
If it’s not Barron but Minnesota still wants a cornerback, men like Trey Amos (Ole Miss), Maxwell Hairston (Kentucky), Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame), Shavon Revel Jr. (East Carolina), and Azareye’h Thomas (Florida State) should be available.
Should Adofo-Mensah prefer the offensive line, players like Tyler Booker (iOL, Alabama) and Grey Zabel (iOL, North Dakota State) would make sense. At defensive tackle, Walter Nolen (Ole Miss), Kenneth Grant (Michigan), and Derrick Harmon (Oregon) would fit nicely in purple.
The Defense, On the Whole
Minnesota’s defense ranked second per DVOA in 2024 under Brian Flores and improved markedly from the 2022 and 2023 campaigns. With 2024 free-agent newcomers Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Van Ginkel, and Blake Cashman, the Vikings’ defense became a deadly unit and will look to get even better in 2025 with Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, two new defensive tackles, in the mix.
Barron, 23, is 5’11 and known for his versatility, a possible perk for Flores.
The Draft Network noted on Barron’s scouting report: “With his versatility, Barron can play safety, nickel, and linebacker, and he has the mental capacity to know his responsibilities in any situation. He sees the field beautifully from his ‘STAR’ role and shows off his anticipatory skills on a down-to-down basis. Unafraid to trigger downhill against the run or boundary screens, Barron’s click-and-close is incredibly sudden.”
Fans would universally praise the Barron pick if he falls to No. 24. Book it.
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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