Minnesota Vikings basic supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has 4 lottery tickets to scratch later this month, getting into the 2025 NFL Draft will comparatively few roster wants.
The 5 Most Possible Draft Selections for the Vikings
The younger govt stuffed most of his roster holes in free agency and might concentrate on the most effective participant out there within the draft.
In the meantime, this 12 months is very tough to foretell for Minnesota’s first draft selection, however people will get a verdict in 19 days.
So, with the draft simply across the bend, these are the likeliest rookies to be drafted by Minnesota with their first decide — wherever which may be. They’re ranked in ascending order (No. 1=more than likely to hitch the Vikings).
5. Maxwell Hairston (CB)
Hairston lives at No. 35 on the Consensus Big Board as of April fifth, prime territory for Minnesota to commerce down and seize a youthful cornerback — in a CB room which may want a bit of youth.
NFL Draft Buzz‘s Wyatt Brooks describes Hairston’s software package: “I see Hairston as a day two cornerback who might grow to be a invaluable starter in the precise system. His instincts in zone protection are particular – the way in which he baits quarterbacks and drives on the soccer. He’s at his greatest enjoying off protection the place he can learn movement and assault, significantly in quarters or Cowl 3 schemes that allow him preserve his eyes on the quarterback.”
4. Gray Zabel (iOL)
Zabel supplies a neat geographical connection — he went to school at North Dakota State. Typically, the Vikings will give these gamers a whirl due to scouts’ familiarity.
From the second Kevin O’Connell’s workforce misplaced within the playoffs, he known as for inside offensive line overhaul. Thereafter, Adofo-Mensah signed middle Ryan Kelly and guard Will Fries from the Indianapolis Colts. If he desires to finish the iOL trifecta, drafting Zabel at No. 24 or a couple of spots later after a commerce again would do the trick.
Zabel can also be as versatile as they arrive for offensive linemen. He can do all of it.
3. Nick Emmanwori (S)
Emmanwori is a type of “bodily freak” sort skills, and he ought to exit the draftboard someplace in Spherical 1.
Former Vikings security Camryn Bynum departed the franchise 3.5 weeks in the past, and if Adofo-Mensah desires a right away substitute, Emmanwori may be the man.
The Gamecock is superb in move protection, possessing sufficient sauce to play nickel nook, too.
Adofo-Mensah can proper his Lewis Cine wrongs with Emmanwori if he sees match.
2. Derrick Harmon (DT)
Harmon completely blends a participant Minnesota might draft outright at No. 24 — or wait till the tip of Spherical 1 with a commerce again and nonetheless draft him round No. 30 or so.
NFB scouted Harmon: “After finding out each snap of Harmon’s 2024 marketing campaign, the tape reveals a defensive sort out with authentic NFL starter potential. His transformation from Michigan State to Oregon wasn’t nearly higher teaching or a scheme change – the pure energy and explosiveness had been at all times current, however now they’re weaponized.
“The best way he persistently received one-on-one matchups towards Ohio State’s inside line within the playoff highlighted each his ceiling and his remaining improvement wants. When his approach matches his bodily instruments, he can take over a sequence.”
Minnesota has additionally performed a pre-draft go to with Harmon.
1. Shavon Revel Jr. (CB)
If one assumes that Minnesota doesn’t finally signal Jaire Alexander or Asante Samuel Jr., buying and selling down the board, maybe into Spherical 2, and selecting Revel Jr. actually, actually is smart for the purple workforce.
Give it some thought: after Byron Murphy Jr. on the roster, it’s Isaiah Rodgers, Mekhi Blackmon, Jeff Okudah, and Dwight McGlothern. A formidable nook is lacking except Rodgers transforms right into a stud.
Revel Jr. is recovering from a torn ACL, and Adofo-Mensah has no downside taking gambles on males ending up damage recoveries.
The East Carolina alumnus might be the more than likely Viking with the draft about two and half weeks away.
