The Minnesota Vikings’ approach to the 2025 NFL Draft will be drastically different from years past. They overthought the 2022 draft, trading down 20 spots to accumulate more picks to address numerous holes across the roster, but ultimately whiffed on their first four picks.
Minnesota landed Jordan Addison to complement Justin Jefferson a year later, but hasn’t gotten much value from the rest of that class. And they entered the 2024 draft needing to draft a franchise quarterback. Even though they selected J.J. McCarthy, the fear of a team trading in front of them led the Vikings to give up extra draft capital to move up one spot to secure his services.
However, quality acquisitions in free agency over the past four seasons have helped the team build a strong roster. Even though the Vikings haven’t hit in the draft, they have found several contributors like NaJee Thompson, Ivan Pace, Jr., and Jalen Redmond in undrafted free agency.
Minnesota’s strong 2024 free-agent class helped mask and minimize the impact of the 2022 draft class. McCarthy was hurt, but Sam Darnold threw 35 touchdowns and earned a Pro Bowl invitation. Dallas Turner only had three sacks, but Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel made the Pro Bowl by terrorizing quarterbacks.
The Vikings are now handing McCarthy the reins to the offense. Although there will be growing pains, they expect him to pick up where Darnold left off and get the Vikings back to the playoffs. Turner must take another step, even if he’s battling Van Ginkel for playing time. Still, Minnesota’s two 2024 picks play premium positions, and they must make an impact for the Vikings to go on a playoff run next year.
All of this sets the Vikings up for one of their most fascinating drafts in recent memory. Their strong free-agency period in March addressed most of the team’s short-term holes. That gives Minnesota the flexibility of not having to sweat any one player or position to fall to them at pick 24. However, that flexibility doesn’t excuse them from maximizing the value of these picks by the end of Day 3.
Minnesota’s ideal situation in the first round would be to trade down from pick No. 24. They’re entering the draft with only four picks, and their second pick doesn’t come until the end of Round 3. A trade would land them additional picks and give them the flexibility to trade up in a later round if a player they covet falls into striking range.
It takes two to tango for a trade, but the likelihood of a trade down would increase if quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders and Jaxson Dart fall into the 20s. If one of them is available at pick 24, a quarterback-needy team like the Cleveland Browns or New York Giants could trade up with the Vikings. That would take Minnesota out of the first round, but fans should be satisfied with the move.
A team in the late first round could also try calling to move up with the Vikings, allowing Minnesota to pick on Day 1. Still, regardless of whether the team trades down or stays at 24, addressing the trenches with their first pick would leave fans happy.
It’s a deep defensive tackle class, so the Vikings could have plenty of options like Oregon’s Derrick Harmon, Mississippi’s Walter Nolen, or Michigan’s Kenneth Grant. They may not project to be Day 1 starters after the free-agent signings of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. Still, they’d be expected to contribute as rookies and grow into a starting role in 2026.
It may be Minnesota’s optimal choice to draft an offensive lineman with their first pick. The Vikings signed former Indianapolis Colts center Ryan Kelly and teammate Will Fries at guard, but both are coming off injuries. Further, incumbent left guard Blake Brandel struggled after Christian Darrisaw suffered a season-ending injury in Week 8.
An offensive lineman like North Dakota State’s Grey Zabel or Ohio State’s Donovan Jackson has the flexibility to play all along the line. Still, they could step in immediately at left guard and start. Texas’ Kelvin Banks is one dark horse at the position. He strictly played left tackle in college but could project to be a better guard in the NFL. He could force the Vikings to stick and pick at 24 if he falls there.
Cornerback and safety are other positions the Vikings could address with their first pick. Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron could be worth picking at 24 due to his experience and position flexibility. Malaki Starks may bring back painful memories of Lewis Cine because he’s a safety from Georgia. Still, he’s regarded as a much more instinctive prospect. He also offers flexibility to play throughout the secondary.
Barron and Starks would be solid picks, but they’d be easier for fans to digest if the top interior offensive and defensive linemen are already off the board. Bypassing Zabel, Jackson, or Banks, who would directly impact McCarthy’s development, for a defensive back, might not go over well.
No matter where the Vikings go with the first pick, fans will expect them to address these needs at some point throughout the draft. The team needs help in the secondary, but drafting defensive backs with each of their first two picks wouldn’t help the label of being “soft” up front. Minnesota needs another wide receiver, but should they address that before Day 3, when there are more pressing needs?
If the Vikings can trade down at some point and address both sides of the trenches, defensive back, and wide receiver, they should address one other receiver. This should be a good running back draft class. The Vikings traded for Jordan Mason, but Aaron Jones will be 31 when the season ends. They should grab a developmental running back this year.
Minnesota could get great value on Day 3 with a running back who can contribute some off the bench before taking on a larger role in 2026 if the team parts ways with Jones. It’d be a savvy move to address a future need while taking advantage of the current value of the position.
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah enters his most crucial draft yet. The Vikings haven’t extended his contract yet. Although they have flexibility and time to draft developmental players, Adofo-Mensah may want prospects who can make an immediate impact. Knowing he needs to make an impact selection could drive him to address the offensive line early because a left guard would have the best chance of being an immediate starter.
That wouldn’t feel like a panic move, either. Vikings fans would welcome an offensive lineman. However, depending on how the draft board falls, they’d also welcome several positions. This is a draft where Adofo-Mensah and the team can sit back and allow the board to fall to them. After that, it’s up to them to execute the plan to further fortify the roster.