Some Draft Favorites

The first big event of the NFL Draft evaluation cycle is the Senior Bowl. The game is tomorrow in Mobile, Alabama. For scouting purposes, the practices for the college all-star game are more important than the game. Most of the people doing the evaluating have already returned home. It’s very early in the draft evaluation process but I’ve already formed a wish list of draft favorites for the Minnesota Vikings. 

This offseason, the Vikings will need to fill out a roster depleted by free agent departures. They also need to get a bit younger. The difficult part in accomplishing both is that the Vikings currently hold only three picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. 

1.

5.

5.

That’s it. 

As soon as the Compensatory Picks are distributed, the Vikings are expected to get a third for last offseason’s free agency loss of Kirk Cousins. So, four picks. That isn’t a lot of draft resources to fill out the roster or get younger. A trade back with the first-round pick to gain a few additional picks would be an expectation rather than a surprise. 

As for specific needs, four positions stand out. 

Interior Offensive Line

Running Back

Defensive Line

Cornerback

With significant salary cap space, I expect the Vikings to fill some of those needs in free agency. In particular, I expect them to prioritize the interior offensive line. Whether that’s targeting one elite guard (Trey Smith) or two slightly less expensive guards remains to be seen. No matter what they do in free agency with that area of need or the other three positional needs, it doesn’t prevent me from forming favorite players at each of the four positions. Here are some of those early favorites.

Interior Offensive Line:

Grey Zabel, North Dakota State

Tyler Booker, Alabama

Clay Webb, Jacksonville State

Running Back:

Kaleb Johnson, Iowa

Devin Neal, Florida

Cam Skattebo, Arizona

R.J. Harvey, Central Florida

Dylan Sampson, Tennessee

Fortunately for the Vikings, and all teams in need of a running back, this draft is loaded at the position.

Defensive Line:

Walter Nolen, Mississippi

Derrick Harmon, Oregon

Joshua Farmer, Florida State

Jordan Phillips, Maryland

Darius Alexander, Toledo

Cornerback:

Jahdae Barron, Texas

Shavon Revel Jr., East Carolina

Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame

Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky

Azareye’h Thomas, Florida State

Dorian Strong, Virginia Tech

Cobee Bryant, Kansas

Mac McWilliams, Central Florida

Nohl Williams, California

With the likely four draft picks, it’s tough to imagine the Vikings being able to draft four of the above. One can dream. Here’s a dreamy four. 

Clay Webb

Devin Neal

Derrick Harmon

Nohl Williams

There’s no way the Vikings would be able to select those four with a first-, third-, and two fifth-round picks. So, a trade back in the first round for at least a couple more Day 2 picks would be necessary. 

It’s so early in the draft evaluation process but favorites are forming.