With yesterday’s trade with the San Francisco 49ers for running back Jordan Mason, the Minnesota Vikings have set themselves up for a 2025 NFL Draft in which they have few glaring needs. The Vikings entered the offseason with obvious needs on the offensive and defensive lines. They also had needs at cornerback and running back. The additions of center Ryan Kelly and guard Will Fries addressed the needs on the interior of the offensive line. The additions of defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave addressed the needs on the defensive line. The re-signing of cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. was critical to defensive continuity. The signing of cornerback Isaiah Rodgers might end up being one of the best additions of the offseason. And cornerback was at a position of need. The player additions and retentions through the first week of free agency had the Vikings perhaps positioned to draft a running back in the first round. Despite re-signing Aaron Jones, the position was a need. Jones needed a partner in the backfield. That’s why the trade for Jordan Mason made so much sense. The Vikings sent a 2026 sixth-round pick to the 49ers for Mason. The teams also swapped Day 3 picks this year (a fifth from the Vikings for a sixth from the 49ers). The 2026 sixth-round pick the Vikings sent to the 49ers was the pick they’d just received from the Houston Texans for Ed Ingram. Essentially the trade with the 49ers was a swap of Ed Ingram for Jordan Mason and an exchange of Day 3 picks this year. Mason should pair nicely with Jones. Running back might still be a need in the draft but the position is now more of a later round need. Perhaps a speedy running back with some unique receiving talent.
The Vikings are set up nicely for the 2025 NFL Draft. Here’s another stab at the four picks they currently hold.
1. Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
3. Tate Ratledge, G, Georgia
5. O’Donnell Fortune, CB, South Carolina
6. Marcus Yarns, RB, Delaware
Derrick Harmon has routinely been the pick at #24. It’s so hard to pass on the disruptive interior player. The Vikings bolstered the defensive front with Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. Both are on the wrong side of 30. They’d be outstanding mentors Harmon.
Like Harmon on the defensive line, Tate Ratledge would be a talented, young addition on the offensive line. Perhaps, he even starts at left guard as a rookie. That’s the least set position on the offensive line.
Come draft time, O’Donnell Fortune probably isn’t available in the fifth round. He’s an easy pick here. So is Marcus Yarns in the sixth round.
Until the next one.
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