The Vikings’ Draft Wants — and Who Can Fill Them.

The 2025 NFL Draft is 30 days away, and the Minnesota Vikings are scheduled to drag 4 gamers from the occasion.

The Vikings’ Draft Wants — and Who Can Fill Them.

Most onlookers anticipate Minnesota to commerce a number of instances, so the variety of gamers might exceed 4 by Saturday night, April twenty sixth.

And with free company principally within the rearview, right here’s a have a look at the Vikings’ present draft wants by precedence and who would possibly fill them. They’re ranked by place in ascending order (No. 1=prime draft want).

5. Working Again

Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason will execute major working again roles in 2025, however one can not argue the depth of this yr’s rookie working again class.

In the meantime, RB3 Ty Chandler could possibly be launched someday this summer season, that means a brand new working again is likely to be excellent for the lengthy haul.

That is Minnesota’s dashing effectivity per DVOA from the final three seasons, courting again to the daybreak of the O’Connell period:

• 2022: twenty seventh
• 2023: twenty seventh
• 2024: twentieth

Drafting a rookie runner appears probably. These above-listed stats will not be excellent.

4. Security

Harrison Smith mentioned “naw” to retirement as soon as once more, again for season No. 14. The group additionally re-signed Theo Jackson at a starter’s price ticket, and Josh Metellus isn’t going anyplace.

But when the Vikings need to put together for the Smith afterlife, 2025 is likely to be an honest time to take a position 1st-Spherical capital in a promising security.

3. Defensive Sort out

Basic supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah smashed this February roster want by signing Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. People beloved these strikes, and each must be unbelievable in purple subsequent season.

Nonetheless, they’re each over age 30.

The twenty fourth decide, at present owned by Minnesota, could possibly be a main spot for this long-term roster want.

2. Offensive Guard

Though Sam Darnold held the soccer manner too lengthy within the pocket towards the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams on the finish of the season, the offensive line’s inside didn’t bail him out.

So, Adofo-Mensah signed Will Fries, a guard, and his Indianapolis Colts teammate, Ryan Kelly, a middle, two weeks in the past. The Vikings’ offensive trenches are principally solidified.

However what if Minnesota plucks a left guard out of the draft — for Blake Brandel’s spot?

1. Cornerback

Anxiousness diminished when the Vikings re-signed Byron Murphy Jr. and located Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah on the open market.

Nonetheless, until the Inexperienced Bay Packers launch Jaire Alexander and Minnesota pounces, or Minnesota fires off a commerce for a participant like Denzel Ward of the Cleveland Browns, CB nonetheless represents the highest long-term roster want.

Draft Candidates:
Jahdae Barron (Texas)
Shavon Revel Jr. (East Carolina)
Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame)
Maxwell Hairston (CB)
Trey Amos (Ole Miss)
Azareye’h Thomas (Florida State)

Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the College of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his each day YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The present options friends, evaluation, and opinion on all issues associated to the purple group, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates again to 1996. Listed responsible pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doorways (the band). He follows the NBA as intently as the NFL. 

All statistics offered by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual info offered by OverTheCap.com.