Current Draft Crushes

The 2025 NFL Draft is less than one month away. The Minnesota Vikings are currently scheduled to have only four picks. They have the 24th pick, a third-round compensatory, and a pick in the fifth and sixth rounds. Through contemplating the players likely available to the Vikings, I’ve developed some draft crushes. Those crushes start with four players I hope make it to #24.

Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan

Walter Nolen, DT, Mississippi

Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

Tyler Booker, G, Alabama

I’ve seen mock drafts that have the Vikings selecting each of the above. I’ve seen rankings that have one or more slotted around the 20s. Basically, talent evaluators that don’t make the picks see these crushes of mine potentially available to the Vikings. I’m not so sure. I can see a scenario in which the people actually paid to make the picks take all four off the board before the draft gets to the 20th pick. 

I believe that there’s a real good chance that the Vikings trade back from the 24th pick. With so few opportunities, they could use that pick to acquire more opportunities. A reason not to trade back is if any one of the above draft crushes is available. 

Here are some draft crushes that should be available at the end of the first round or early in the second round. If the Vikings trade back a bit, these are players that should be available.

Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State

Derrick Harmon, DT, Michigan

Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo

Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina

Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State

Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

Trey Amos, CB, Mississippi

Darrien Porter, CB, Iowa State

Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame

It’s clear that I’ve been particularly focused on interior offensive linemen, defensive tackles, and cornerbacks. That continues into my later round draft crushes.

Wyatt Milum, OL, West Virginia

Willie Lampkin, OL, North Carolina

Eli Cox, C, Kentucky

Jordan Phillips, DT, Maryland

Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky

C.J. West, DT, Indiana

Rylie Mills, DT, Notre Dame

Cam Jackson, DT, Florida State

Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville

Nohl Williams, CB, California

Dorian Strong, CB, Virginia Tech

O’Donnell Fortune, CB, South Carolina

Mello Dotson, CB, Kansas 

With the re-signing of Aaron Jones and the trade for Jordan Mason, running back is no longer the need it looked to be about a month ago. Despite a promising running duo of Jones and Mason, the Vikings could use a speedy third back that can make an impact in the pass game. In a terrific running back draft, I’ve found a few that I like.

D.J. Giddens, RB, Kansas State

Brashard Smith, RB, SMU

Marcus Yarns, RB, Delaware

LeQuint Allen, Syracuse

I’ve also grown quite fond of a couple big, powerful runners.

Damien Martinez, RB, Miami

Ollie Gordon II, RB, Oklahoma State

The Vikings have four picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. With those four picks, it’d be nice if they could select the following draft crushes.

Tyler Booker, G, Alabama

Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville

Cam Jackson, DT, Florida State

LeQuint Allen, RB, Syracuse

Or 

Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky

Willie Lampkin, OL, North Carolina

Marcus Yarns, RB, Delaware

Or 

Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State

Nohl Williams, CB, California

Brashard Smith, RB, SMU

C.J. West, DT, Indiana

I can probably shake out any four of the above draft crushes and be happy.