Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft Tracker

The 2025 NFL Draft is three weeks away. The Minnesota Vikings are currently scheduled to have the 24th pick in the first round. Here’s a look at what some of the pundits see the Minnesota Vikings doing with that pick.

The Athletic

Dane Brugler

24. Kelvin Banks Jr., OT/G, Texas

Bruce Feldman

24. Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

Alec Lewis

31. Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo

(Trade w/Kansas City Chiefs

Staff

32. Kelvin Banks Jr., OT/G, Texas

(Trade w/Philadelphia Eagles)

NFL.com

Daniel Jeremiah

24. Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

Bucky Brooks

24. Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

Charles Davis

24. Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

Lance Zierlein

Minnesota Vikings trade the 24th pick to the Cleveland Browns. No first round pick for the Vikings.

Eric Edholm

32. Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

(Trade w/Philadelphia Eagles)

Chad Reuter

30. Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

(Trade w/Buffalo Bills)

97. Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State

109. Mitchell Evans, TE, Notre Dame

132. Joshua Gray, G, Oregon State

Mike Band

31. Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina

(Trade w/Kansas City Chiefs)

Cynthia Frelund

24. Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame

ESPN

Mel Kiper Jr.

24. Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

Field Yates

24. Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

Jordan Reid

24. Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

Mike Tannenbaum

24. Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

The ESPN draft guys have a consensus! That doesn’t happen often.

CBS

Ryan Wilson

24. Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

Chris Trapasso

30. Grey Zabel, G/C, North Dakota State

(Trade w/Buffalo Bills)

Mike Renner

24. Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

Josh Edwards

24. Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

Kyle Stackpole

30. Grey Zabel, G/C, North Dakota State

Garrett Podell

24. Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

Pete Prisco

24. Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

***

At the beginning of the mock draft season, many of the above pundits had the Vikings selecting a defensive tackle. After the free agency signings of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, the projections have flipped to the defensive backfield. As for my thoughts on the 24th pick, I still believe that a trade back is the most likely use of that pick. With the work done in free agency, the Vikings have set themselves up for a best player available approach. Every team says that’s the goal but it’s still best player available with an eye on need. I see the hierarchy of Vikings needs looking something like this:

1. Interior Offensive Line

2. Defensive Line

3. Cornerback

4. Safety

5. Tight End

6. General Depth

With those needs in mind, I’m leaning Grey Zabel or Donovan Jackson with their first selection. 

New Football Rules

NFL owners gathered this week in Palm Beach, Florida to conduct their annual football business. Some of that football business was voting on proposed rule changes. Here are the new rules starting, of course, with the kickoff. 

Kickoffs

Debuted in 2024, the “dynamic” kickoff is here to stay. Calling this kickoff “dynamic” has always been curious. It’s definitely different but dynamic is a stretch. Perhaps moving the ball spot on touchbacks from the 30-yard line to the 35-yard line will do the trick. That’s the new rule. Touchbacks will now be spotted on the 35-yard line. The league hopes that this move will boost the number of kickoff returns. Last season, about a third of the kickoffs were returned. The hope is that about three-quarters of kickoffs will be returned with a touchback brought to the 35-yard line. 

Thoughts: 

The “dynamic” kickoff, despite being far from dynamic, did grow on me last season. If this change boosts kickoff return rates, it’s a good thing. 

Overtime

The league passed a proposal by the Philadelphia Eagles to align the postseason and regular season overtime rules. Both teams will now have an opportunity to possess the ball regardless the outcome of the first possession. However, unlike in the postseason, regular season overtime will remain 10 minutes rather than 15 minutes. 

Thoughts:

This is good and bad. The league should’ve made the regular season overtime 15 minutes as well. The league has a peculiar need to hold firm on a little thing as a sign of their overall concern for player safety. The league’s decision-makers have no concern for player safety. They show that repeatedly. In a sad attempt to show that they do, the league holds back five minutes of overtime. 

Expand Replay Assist

The league passed a proposal by the Competition Committee to expand instant replay’s ability to advise the on-field officials on specific, objective aspects of a play and/or to address game administration issues when clear and obvious video evidence is present. It does not correct missed penalties. 

Thoughts:

This rule change falls far short in that it does not address clear and obvious missed penalties. A clear and obvious uncalled facemask of a quarterback can not be corrected by this expanded replay assist. A miss is a miss no matter how it’s missed. This rule only addresses half the misses. That’s a miss. 

Allowing More Direct Tampering 

The league passed a proposal by the Pittsburgh Steelers regarding contact with free agents during the “legal tampering” window. Clubs can now have one video or phone call with no more than five prospective unrestricted free agents. Clubs can also book travel upon agreeing to terms. 

Thoughts:

What’s the point? 

Injured Reserve

The league approved bylaw proposals to permit clubs to designate two players for return at the roster reduction to 53 players. Also permits clubs participating in the postseason to receive additional “designated for return” increasing the maximum from eight to 10. 

Thoughts:

Sounds good.

K-Balls

The league approved resolution proposals to permit clubs to prepare kicking footballs (K-Balls) before gameday.

Thoughts:

If the game footballs can be prepared before the games, the kicking footballs should get the same. 

First Down Measurements

The league will be shifting from the chain gang to cameras for the measurement of first downs. The chain gang will remain as backup. 

Thoughts:

It’s about time.

Tush Push

The proposal by the Green Bay Packers to ban the “tush push” was tabled. The vote was split 16 to 16. It had to hit 24-8. 

Thoughts:

In my opinion, this stupid play was banned in the early 1900s. It was never reinserted over the past 100+ years so it should still be banned. The offense gets so much assistance from the NFL rule book. An offensive player doesn’t need any added physical assistance from their teammates. 

Tush Push

When the Philadelphia Eagles lined up for their first “tush push” it was considered an innovative thing. It was built up as something new. It wasn’t. The formation and play is actually one of football’s oldest plays. Football stepped away from rugby in the 1880s when Walter Camp created the concepts of “downs” and “yards to gain.” Coaches and players began to script plays with a mass of humanity focused on the middle of this new line of scrimmage. These wedge formations became the rage of the game. Here’s a description of the formation and ensuing play:

The players arranged themselves in a wedge with only the center on the line of scrimmage. Each man placed his hands on the hips of the man in front. When the ball was snapped, the players closed in tight and shoved. The ball carrier was protected on all sides.

Sound familiar? This play became the game. It was a whole lot of pushing and shoving. A moving mass of humanity. It also turned the game of football into a bloodbath. It’s amazing that it rolled on like this for nearly two decades. Bones were shattered. Backs were broken. Heads were crushed. The number of critics of the game grew with each year. In the early 1900s, newspapers started publishing the body counts. High school and college players were dying. It got so bad that President Theodore Roosevelt demanded that football’s collegiate leaders make changes or the game will be banned. Instead of losing their game, Camp and company made some changes. One of those changes was banning the “mass momentum” plays. 

The “tush push” was banned in the 1900s. Seeing as the NFL installed college football’s rule book as their rule book with their formation in 1920, the “tush push” was banned by the new professional league. To my knowledge, the play wasn’t “legalized” when the NFL started crafting their own rule book following the 1932 season. No one seems to care about that little nugget. No one seems to care that the “tush push” is already a banned play. Then again, most of today’s football people can’t see anything that took place before Super Bowl I. 

My biggest problem with this damn play is the history behind that everyone’s ignoring. Over 100 years ago, it was hotly debated. It was more hotly debated than it is today. That’s because football’s survival was in the balance. The play is dangerous. One can say that all football plays are dangerous. It’s the nature of the game. We might not ever see Jalen Hurts hurt on the play. Good for him. Good for the Eagles. We might see a quarterback that can’t squat a house try the play behind an offensive line that isn’t one of the best in recent memory. We might see that little quarterback get his bones shattered, his head crushed, his back broken. Is that a reason to punish the Eagles for being perfectly situated to run the play? Yes! It’s a dangerous play. The play is designed to be dangerous. 

And, it’s been banned before! The damn play is probably still banned. 

Minnesota Vikings Defensive Needs By Position

Yesterday, I looked at the offensive needs by position of the Minnesota Vikings. Today, it’s the defense’s turn.

Defensive Line

Jonathan Allen

Harrison Phillips

Javon Hargrave

Jalen Redmond

Taki Taimani

Levi Drake Rodriguez 

Travis Bell

Jonathan Harris

On the offseason priority list, improving the defensive line was right behind improving the offensive line. The Vikings emphatically addressed both of the lines. Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave were early targets. The defensive line was an unheralded, workmanlike group last season. While they were often stout against the run, their pressure on the quarterback was minimal. Allen and Hargrave should change that. They’ve made their careers on harassing quarterbacks. Jalen Redmond, Taki Taimani, and Levi Drake Rodriguez are a promising group of youngsters behind the new first group. With Allen and Hargrave on the other side of 30, defensive line is still a need in the draft. It’s just not the immediate need it was a month ago. 

Outside Linebackers

Jonathan Greenard

Andrew Van Ginkel

Dallas Turner

Gabriel Murphy

Bo Richter

The edge group is the strength of the defense. Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel were a revelation in their first season in Minnesota. They played so well that first-round pick Dallas Turner saw limited snaps. When Turner did get a chance, he flashed his considerable natural skills. The more opportunities he gets in his second season the better. Greenard, Van Ginkel, and Turner will force defensive coordinator Brian Flores and the defensive coaches into finding ways to get the trio on the field as much as possible. As undrafted rookies, Gabriel Murphy and Bo Richter showed NFL abilities. Murphy caught the attention of coaches early in training camp. His fast start was slowed by an injury. It was an injury that forced him to start his rookie season on injured reserve. He’ll get another shot to earn playing time this offseason and training camp. Bo Richter made an impact on special teams. As with Murphy, he’ll get a shot at defensive snaps in his second season. A team can never have enough pass rushers but the Vikings outside linebackers look good as they are. I guess a concern is that Van Ginkel turns 30 in July. 

Inside Linebackers

Blake Cashman

Ivan Pace Jr.

Eric Wilson

Brian Asamoah II

Max Tooley

The inside linebacker group is in good shape as well. Blake Cashman was excellent in his first season with the Vikings. He and Ivan Pace Jr. form a complimentary duo. Pace is very good coming downhill. Cashman is very good going side to side and dropping in coverage. Eric Wilson and Brian Asamoah II provide nice depth. Both are excellent on special teams. If for no other reason but competition, the inside linebacker group could use some reinforcements. 

Cornerback

Byron Murphy Jr.

Mekhi Blackmon

Isaiah Rodgers

Jeff Okudah

Dwight McGlothern

NaJee Thompson

Tavierre Thomas

Ambry Thomas

Nahshon Wright

Reddy Steward

Kahlef Hailassie 

The Vikings cornerbacks are in much better shape than they were at this point last season. That isn’t really saying much. Byron Murphy Jr. was a priority re-signing this offseason. The Vikings accomplished that. Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah were added in free agency. The most optimistic of observers might see this as a group with some potential. In reality, Murphy is the only corner that’s truly proven. Cornerback is the defensive position most in need of immediate, high end upgrades. 

Safety

Harrison Smith

Joshua Metellus

Theo Jackson

Jay Ward

Bubba Bolden

Harrison Smith returning for his 14th season keeps safety from being an immediate need. The sad day when he retires has been a year away for a few years. Calling Joshua Metellus a safety takes away his greatest strength. He plays all over the defense. While Theo Jackson has earned a shot to start, his ability to actually do so remains to be seen. Jay Ward has been an integral special teams player since he was drafted in 2021. He should be ready for increased snaps on defense. Safety isn’t an immediate need but it’s a year away from being a position of significant need. 

Minnesota Vikings defensive needs:

1. Cornerback - early in the draft

2. Safety - early in the draft

3. Defensive Line - early in the draft

4. Inside Linebackers - later in the draft/undrafted

5. Outside Linebackers - only if a unique player somehow is available

With only four draft picks in total, and only two in the first three rounds, it’s currently impossible for the Vikings to address cornerback, safety, and defensive line early in the draft. That’s why a trade back might be their most likely first round option. 

The Vikings have done enough work through the first few weeks of free agency to set themselves up for a draft in which they don’t have to address any particular position. That’s a very good thing. 

Minnesota Vikings Offensive Needs By Position

The 2025 NFL Draft is less than one month away. Here’s a look at the needs of the Minnesota Vikings by position. The offense is up first.

Quarterback

J.J. McCarthy

Brett Rypien

General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell came to Minnesota in 2022 with this day in mind. The roster work of the past three offseasons was focused on the day in which a talented, young quarterback on a rookie contract topped the position’s depth chart. Moving forward, J.J. McCarthy has the keys to the Vikings offense. I can’t wait for the start of this new era of Vikings football. Adofo-Mensah and O’Connell can talk up the traits of Brett Rypien all they want but the Vikings need a veteran quarterback supporting their young, inexperienced starter. That veteran quarterback was supposed to be Daniel Jones. Instead of supporting McCarthy, Jones decided to compete for a starting job with the Indianapolis Colts. No one can blame him for that. That disappointment leaves the Vikings sifting through the likes of Joe Flacco, Carson Wentz, and Ryan Tannehill. 

Running Back

Aaron Jones

Jordan Mason

Ty Chandler

Zavier Scott

C.J. Ham - fullback

A few weeks ago, the Vikings possibly selecting a running back in the first round was a trendy topic. Then they acquired Jordan Mason from the San Francisco 49ers. That trade gave the Vikings a top notch running back duo. Running back could still be a late-round need as they could use a situational back with receiving skills. On that note, I’m curious to see Zavier Scott. The Vikings signed him to the practice just before the start of last season. No one’s seen him on the field, in a game, in a Vikings jersey. He played some receiver in college. Perhaps the team’s pass-catching back is already on the roster. 

Wide Receiver

Justin Jefferson

Jordan Addison

Jalen Nailor

Rondale Moore

Thayer Thomas

Lucky Jackson

Jeshaun Jones

Tim Jones

The Vikings receiving duo of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison is arguably the league’s best. Jalen Nailor is a speedy #3. The free agent addition of Rondale Moore gives the Vikings some unique options. Anytime he gets the ball in his hands he can create an explosive play. The only thing this receiver group is missing is a big, possession receiver. I’m not sure if the Vikings decision-makers are necessarily looking for one but I see a need for a 6’3”, or taller, receiver that’s excellent in contested catch situations. A receiver like Iowas State’s Jayden Higgins works. 

Tight End

T.J. Hockenson

Josh Oliver

The departure of Johnny Mundt in free agency made tight end depth a significant need. T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver are very good to excellent in their roles but the Vikings need another tight end. 

Offensive Line

Christian Darrisaw

Blake Brandel

Ryan Kelly

Will Fries

Brian O’Neill

Justin Skule

Walter Rouse

Michael Jurgens

Marcellus Johnson

Leroy Watson

Trevor Reid

Henry Byrd

Improving the interior of the offensive line was one of the biggest needs of the offseason. The Vikings addressed those needs with the signings of Ryan Kelly and Will Fries. A significant weakness in 2024 became a strength in 2025. The Vikings could continue the aggressive offensive line rebuild by adding another interior offensive lineman early in the draft. Blake Brandel is a solid player but an elite talent would bump him to a strong depth role. Ryan Kelly is also 32 and closer to the end of his career than the start. A player like North Dakota State’s Grey Zabel could start out at left guard and be the eventual replacement for Kelly at center. Whatever the team’s plans, I expect the offensive line to be further addressed in the draft. For the first time in more than a decade, the Vikings have the makings of a very good offensive line. They can’t allow a slide back past mediocrity by not continuing to address the group. 

Minnesota Vikings offensive needs:

1. Backup Quarterback - free agency

2. Interior Offensive Line - draft

3. Backup Tight End - draft/undrafted

4. Big Receiver - draft/undrafted

5. Pass Catching Back - draft/might already be on the roster. 

Tomorrow: Minnesota Vikings Defensive Needs

Minnesota Vikings Coaching Staff

Unless it’s something major, changes to an NFL coaching staff are often “under-the-radar” news. The Minnesota Vikings dodged major changes. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores interviewed for a handful of head coach jobs. Fortunately, for the Vikings, those teams proved to be irretrievably stupid and went in different directions for their head coaching needs. The Vikings biggest coaching loss was assistant offensive coordinator Grant Udinski. He’ll continue his rapid coaching climb as the offensive coordinator of the Jacksonville Jaguars. I was hoping that he’d remain in Minnesota for another season. It was clear early on that he’s too talented to keep hidden for long. Not only did Udinski leave but he also took assistant offensive line coach Shaun Sarrett with him to Jacksonville. The Vikings hired New Orleans Saints offensive assistant Jordan Traylor to replace Udinski as the team’s assistant offensive coordinator/assistant quarterbacks coach. The Vikings also recently hired Charlie Frye as defensive assistant. Originally drafted in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns, he a quarterback for the Browns (2005-07), Seattle Seahawks (2007-08), and Oakland Raiders (2009-10). Since his playing days, Frye has coached at the high school, college, and NFL levels. In 2021, he was the quarterbacks coach of the Miami Dolphins under head coach Brian Flores. Now, he’s working for Flores again as a defensive assistant. 

The Vikings may or may not have a remaining coaching vacancy. About a month ago, former New York Jets and Tennessee Titans offensive line coach Keith Carter was reportedly hired to replace Shaun Sarrett as assistant offensive line coach. It was a somewhat controversial hire. Carter has received criticism from some of his players for apparent “tough guy” coaching tactics. While an offensive line can use a little mean streak in them, a coach with Carter’s reputation might not necessarily fit with the culture and environment the Vikings have created. Anyway, reports of his hiring were about a month ago and Minnesota has yet to officially announce it. Carter also isn’t listed in the coaching roster on the team’s website. Who knows the status of this potential hire? 

Here is the current coaching staff of the Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Kevin O’Connell

Assistant Head Coach/Outside Linebackers: Mike Pettine

Offensive Coordinator: Wes Phillips

Defensive Coordinator: Brian Flores

Special Teams Coordinator: Matt Daniels

Offense:

Quarterbacks: Josh McCown

Assistant Offensive Coordinator/Assistant Quarterbacks: Jordan Traylor

Senior Offensive Assistant: Chris O’Hara

Run Game Coordinator/Running Backs: Curtis Modkins

Receivers: Keenan McCardell

Assistant Receivers: Tony Sorrentino

Pass Game Coodinator/Tight Ends: Brian Angelichio

Offensive Line: Chris Kuper

Assistant Offensive Line: ?

Pass Game Specialist/Game Management Coordinator: Ryan Cordell

Quality Control: Derron Montgomery

Offensive Assistant: Ben Ellefson

Assistant to the Head Coach: Henry Schneider IV

Defense:

Defensive Line: Marcus Dixon

Assistant Defensive Line: Patrick Hill

Inside Linebackers: Mike Siravo

Assistant Inside Linebackers: Thad Bogardus

Defensive Backs: Daronte Jones

Safeties: Michael Hutchings

Defensive Assistant: Imarjaye Albury

Defensive Assistant: Charlie Frye

Special Teams:

Assistant Special Teams: Dalmin Gibson

Another Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft w/Help

The Athletic’s Alec Lewis recently posted a Minnesota Vikings NFL Draft big board. With this big board, Lewis selected ten players that would make sense at each at each of the team’s picks. With only four picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, it’s a small big board. The four picks are a first, a third, a fifth, and a sixth. The following is a Vikings mock draft with help from Lewis. For each pick, I’ve selected one player from his list of ten. 

Round 1:

Lewis’ first-round options:

Grey Zabel, G/C, North Dakota State

Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon

Tyler Booker, G, Alabama

Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

Walter Nolen, DT, Mississippi

Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State

Mason Taylor, TE, LSU

This tough choice comes down to the first four on the list. I’d like to see Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant on the list. I feel like there’s as much chance that he’s available at #24 as Jahdae Barron. Ultimately, it comes down to a toss-up between Barron and Grey Zabel. 

The pick: Grey Zabel, G/C, North Dakota State

Round 3:

Lewis’ third-round options:

T.J. Sanders, DT, South Carolina

Trey Amos, CB, Mississippi

Gunnar Helm, TE, Texas

Marcus Mbow, G, Purdue

Josh Farmer, DT, Florida State

Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville

Omar Norman-Lott, DT, Tennessee

Tate Ratledge, G, Georgia

Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State

RJ Harvey, RB, Central Florida

This one comes down to Omar Norman-Lott and Darien Porter. One day, it might be Norman-Lott. Another, it might be Porter. 

The pick: Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State

Round 5:

Lewis’ fifth-round options:

Damien Martinez, RB, Miami

Seth McLaughlin, C, Ohio State

Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech

Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State

Andrew Mukuba, S, Texas

CJ West, DT, Indiana

Xavier Restrepo, WR, Miami

Joshua Gray, G, Oregon State

Trevor Etienne, RB, Georgia

JJ Pegues, DT, Mississippi 

The running backs would be nice but ultimately the Vikings need a defensive tackle. 

The pick: CJ West, DT, Indiana

Round 6:

DJ Giddens, RB, Kansas State

Nohl Williams, CB, Cal

Elijah Roberts, DT/Edge, SMU

R.J. Mickens, S, Clemson

Tea Johnson, WR, Oregon

Tommi Hill, CB, Nebraska

Jared Harrison-Hunte, DT, SMU

Clay Webb, G, Jacksonville State

Woody Marks, RB, USC

Ollie Gordon II, RB, Oklahoma State

This pick comes down to DJ Giddens or Nohl Williams. Right now, I’m leaning toward the running back. After losing Cam Bynum to the Indianapolis Colts in free agency, it sure would be nice to add another talented Cal defensive back. 

The pick: DJ Giddens, RB, Kansas State

The draft:

1. Grey Zabel, G/C, North Dakota State

3. Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State

5. CJ West, DT, Indiana

6. DJ Giddens, RB, Kansas State

I’d take this draft. 

Thanks for the assistance, Alec Lewis.