Minnesota Vikings Projected Starters

The Minnesota Vikings entered the offseason with some needs. With significant cap space and only four draft picks, the Vikings had to rely on the NFL’s open market to address most of those needs. They were active in their pursuit of talent. Through nearly two weeks of free agency, the Vikings re-signed four of their own players, signed 12 new players, and traded for another. Nearly all of the 13 new players are expected to either start or supply needed depth. 

In 2024, the Vikings won 14 games. They were and still are a talented team. Despite that appraisal they had significant needs. The Week 18 loss to the Detroit Lions and playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams seriously exposed the need to strengthen the interior of their offensive and defensive lines. Their efforts in the early stages of free agency focused on the trenches. Needs in the secondary were addressed with internal and external signings. It’s the middle of March and it’s likely that the Vikings have their 2025 Week 1 starters on the roster. Their projected starters look good. 

Offense

WR	Justin Jefferson
TE	T.J.Hockenson
LT	Christian Darrisaw
LG	Blake Brandel
C	Ryan Kelly
RG	Will Fries
RT	Brian O’Neill
WR	Jordan Addison
QB	J.J. McCarthy
RB	Aaron Jones
FB	C.J. Ham

Defense

DE	Jonathan Allen
NT	Harrison Phillips
DE	Javon Hargrave
OLB	Jonathan Greenard
LB	Ivan Pace Jr.
LB	Blake Cashman
OLB	Andrew Van Ginkel
CB	Byron Murphy Jr.
CB	Isaiah Rodgers
S	Harrison Smith
S	Theo Jackson
NB	Josh Metellus

The Vikings have only four picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. They have the 24th pick in the first round, a third-round compensatory pick, and two fifth-round picks. That’s not a lot of draft resources. It’s so few that the most likely use of their first round pick is to trade back and generate a few more picks. While the current lineup looks nice on paper, there are some positions that could still be upgraded. No offense to Blake Brandel, Harrison Phillips, and some of the defensive backs but those positions could be targeted with early round selections. If the Vikings hit on their picks, those drafted players could be playing for starting spots at left guard, nose tackle, and cornerback or safety. 

Through nearly two weeks of free agency the Vikings have effectively addressed their needs. So much so that for the first time in a long time they will enter the draft without obvious roster holes to fill.