Favorite Draft Picks: AFC Teams

Continuing my favorite picks with the AFC Teams. 

Baltimore Ravens

Teddye Buchanan, LB, California, fourth round

My favorite Baltimore Ravens pick has to be the fourth-round linebacker from Cal. Teddye Buchanan played only one season in Berkeley but it was enough to get him drafted.

Cincinnati Bengals

Dylan Fairchild, G, Georgia, third round

If the Vikings didn’t select a guard in the first round, Dylan Fairchild emerged as my top guard later in the draft. 

Cleveland Browns

Shadeur Sanders, QB, Colorado, fifth round

Shadeur Sanders was my favorite pick of the Cleveland Browns simply because it allowed all of the damn pundits to finally pay attention to the rest of the players selected. The constant chatter about the fall of Sanders had grown nauseating by the end of the first night. 

Pittsburgh Steelers

Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon, first round

Derrick Harmon was one of my favorite five or so players in the entire draft. 

Buffalo Bills

Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky, first round

Maxwell Hairston is more than just a really fast corner. He effectively uses that speed to play the position at a very high level. It was probably tempting to get Josh Allen another weapon like Luther Burden III or Jayden Higgins but they did well to add one of the best available defensive players. 

New England Patriots

Will Campbell, OT, LSU, first round

The New England Patriots selected several players that I liked. There were about five that I considered picking here. That included Cal safety Craig Woodson. I picked Will Campbell for all that lazy criticism concerning the length of his arms. I’m so sick of players getting bashed for not being the ideal that some teams and scouts have manufactured for a position. If the player can play, it doesn’t matter. 

New York Jets

Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State, third round

This one’s lazy. In the draft evaluation process, I kinda made Azareye’h Thomas into the second coming of Xavier Rhodes. Simply because they are both big corners from Florida State, I made them into similar players. Their size, school, and position are about the only things they have in common. None of that mattered as Thomas had become one of my favorite cornerbacks in this draft. 

Miami Dolphins

Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan, first round

How could one not be smitten by the giant defensive tackle from Michigan. My first round favorites were Derrick Harmon, Kenneth Grant, and Grey Zabel. I had visions of Grant becoming a similar player to Dexter Lawrence. I wanted that in Minnesota.

Houston Texans

Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State, second round

Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State, third round

I liked that the Houston Texans selected the two Iowa State receivers. I like them individually. I really like them together. 

Indianapolis Colts

Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State, first round

Tyler Warren emerged as one of the most fun players to watch in this draft. He was Penn State’s offense. Watching his film during the evaluation process made me wish that I’d watched his games in real time. 

Jacksonville Jaguars

Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado, first round

Travis Hunter might be the most fascinating player to enter the NFL since the days players routinely played both offense and defense. It’s going to be fun watching how the Jacksonville Jaguars take advantage of Hunter’s talents. 

Tennessee Titans

Marcus Harris, CB, California, sixth round

I’m just going with the Cal player for the Tennessee Titans. 

Kansas City Chiefs

Nohl Williams, CB, California, third round

Nohl Williams improved his play each season at Cal. He built himself into one of the best corners in college football and this draft. 

Denver Broncos

Jahdae Barron, CB, Denver Broncos, first round

Jahdae Barron was right behind Grey Zabel, Kenneth Grant, and Derrick Harmon among my favorite players in this draft. His versatility is his greatest asset. He should be a fun player to watch moving forward. 

Las Vegas Raiders

Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State, first round

Running backs aren’t often drafted in the Top-10 these days. Ashton Jeanty is one back that should. He was the one of the best three players in this draft. His draft watch started at #4 and lasted until #6.

Los Angeles Chargers

Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina, first round 

While Ashton Jeanty was the clear top back in this draft. Omarion Hampton was a real fun #2. He would’ve been the best back in most drafts. Hampton should be a perfect fit in Jim Harbaugh’s offense. 

Favorite Draft Picks: NFC Teams

After months of studying and sifting through hundreds of draft prospects, the 2025 NFL Draft is done. Here are my favorite picks for each of the NFC teams.

Minnesota Vikings

Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State, first round

The Vikings were laser-focused on improving the interior of their offensive line. For good reason. The group was terrible in brutal late-season losses to the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams. After adding right guard Will Fries and center Ryan Kelly in free agency, Donovan Jackson was the final piece of the rebuild. The Vikings now have the makings of one of their best offensive lines in a long, long time. 

Detroit Lions

Ahmed Hassanein, Edge, Boise State, sixth round 

I’m not sure what sort of professional football player Ahmed Hassanein is going to become and I didn’t see much of his play at Boise State. I’m just fascinated by his journey from Egypt to the NFL.

Green Bay Packers

Matthew Golden, WR, Texas, first round

This was an easy choice as Matthew Golden was the only player drafted by the Green Bay Packers that I liked. Fellow receiver Savion Williams was a pre-draft curiosity for his size and running ability with the ball in his hands. Then I discovered that he has terrible hands and I was done with him. That flawed trait makes him a perfect Packers receiver. I do like the Golden selection. He immediately becomes the team’s most talented receiver. 

Chicago Bears

Zah Frazier, CB, UTSA, fifth round

If the Vikings were to select a late-round corner, Zah Frazier was one of my favorites. I believe that he’s a steal in the fifth round. 

New York Giants

Cam Skattebo, RB, Arizona State, fourth round

How can you not like a player named Cam Skattebo. On the field, he’s a blast of a back. 

Philadelphia Eagles

Kyle McCord, QB, Syracuse, sixth round

From Jihaad Campbell to Andrew Mukuba to Ty Robinson, the Philadelphia Eagles had a lot of players that I liked. They often do. I’m going with late-round quarterback Kyle McCord. The college games that I mostly closely watched last season were each of Cal’s games. Of the quarterbacks that I most closely watched, and that included top pick Cam Ward, Kyle McCord was the best. Ward struggled through three quarters in Berkeley. Thanks to a gassed Cal defense and a load of officiating help, he did lead Miami back in the fourth quarter. McCord picked Cal apart from start to finish. Based on that game, I would be far more happy with McCord as my young quarterback than Ward. 

Washington Commanders

Trey Amos, CB, Mississippi, second round

For the bulk of the pre-draft process, I had Trey Amos as a first-round pick. The Commanders happily had Amos fall into their laps late in the second round. 

Dallas Cowboys

Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina, third round

Like Trey Amos, I was stunned that Shavon Revel Jr. fell so far from the first round. Revel fell just over a dozen picks further. 

Atlanta Falcons

Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame, third round

Personally, much of the excitement of the draft’s third round was the potential fall of Xavier Watts to the Vikings #97 pick. I have no idea if the Vikings were even interested in Watts. I sure was. The Notre Dame connection made him an intriguing heir to the great Harrison Smith. Watts was still on the board at #95. Only the Eagles were in front of the Vikings and they’d selected Andrew Mukuba in the second round. In a blink, my hopes were dashed as the Atlanta Falcons traded into the 96th spot and the Vikings traded back to #102. The Falcons selected Xavier Watts.

Carolina Panthers

Cam Jackson, DT, Florida, sixth round

Through the draft evaluation process, Cam Jackson emerged as one of my favorite later round defensive tackles. So, he’s my favorite pick of the Carolina Panthers.

New Orleans Saints

Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville, fourth round

Quincy Riley was simply one of my favorite corners in the draft. Many draft pundits had him firmly in the Day 3 area. I was fairly certain that his draft window opened in the second round. Seeing as he went in the fourth round, I guess that those pundits had it about right. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State, first round

Emeka Egbuka was my favorite receiver in the draft. He edges second-round pick Benjamin Morrison as my favorite pick of the Carolina Panthers. 

Los Angeles Rams

Josaiah Stewart, Edge, Michigan, third round

Josaiah Stewart was the only draft pick of the Los Angeles Rams that I liked. 

San Francisco 49ers

Alfred Collins, DT, Texas, second round

CJ West, DT, Indiana, fourth round

The San Francisco 49ers clearly focused on improving their defense. They drafted five defensive players before they selected their first offensive player. Because of the Vikings needs, I focused on the defensive tackles in the pre-draft process. Alfred Collins and CJ West emerged as two of my favorites. 

Arizona Cardinals

Will Johnson, CB, Michigan, second round

If health doesn’t derail the start of Will Johnson’s NFL career, the Arizona Cardinals got a wonderful steal in the second round. No injury questions and he’s probably a Top-10 pick.

Seattle Seahawks

Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State, first round

For the past month, Grey Zabel had emerged as “my guy” for the Vikings. For the bulk of that month, I was convinced that he’d be available at #24. I even thought he might be available after a little trade-back. For the past week, I had become convinced that he wouldn’t make it to the Vikings. The damn, dirty Seattle Seahawks were going to crush my dreams. They did. 

Updated Minnesota Vikings Depth Chart

Over the 2025 NFL Draft weekend the Minnesota Vikings added five drafted players, 19 undrafted players, and traded for a backup quarterback. If my roster numbers are accurate, the Vikings currently have 88 players. That leaves them two short of the offseason roster limit of 90. 

Minnesota Vikings 2025 Depth Chart (88)

Offense (42)

Quarterbacks (4)

  9 J.J McCarthy

     Sam Howell

19 Brett Rypien

     Max Brosmer

Running Backs (5)

33 Aaron Jones

     Jordan Mason

32 Ty Chandler

36 Zavier Scott

     Tre Stewart

Fullback (1)

30 C.J. Ham

Receivers (12)

18 Justin Jefferson

  3 Jordan Addison

83 Jalen Nailor

     Rondale Moore

     Tai Felton

     Tim Jones

81 Lucky Jackson

82 Jeshaun Jones

89 Thayer Thomas

     Silas Bolden

     Dontae Fleming

     Robert Lewis

Tight Ends (5)

87 T.J. Hockenson

84 Josh Oliver

     Gavin Bartholomew

     Ben Yurosek

     Bryson Nesbit

Offensive Linemen (15)

71 Christian Darrsisaw

74 Donovan Jackson

     Ryan Kelly

     Will Fries

75 Brian O’Neill

64 Blake Brandel

78 Walter Rouse

65 Michael Jurgens

67 Justin Skule

     Logan Brown

     Joe Huber

     Marcellus Johnson

72 Leroy Watson

68 Henry Byrd

     Zeke Correll

Defense (42)

Defensive Linemen (10)

97 Harrison Phillips

93 Jonathan Allen

     Javon Hargrave

61 Jalen Redmond

50 Levi Drake Rodriguez

94 Taki Taimani 

     Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins

     Alex Williams

92 Jonathan Harris

91 Travis Bell 

Outside Linebackers (7)

58 Jonathan Greenard

43 Andrew Van Ginkel

15 Dallas Turner

59 Gabriel Murphy

98 Bo Richter

     Tyler Batty

     Chaz Chambliss

Inside Linebackers (8)

  0 Ivan Pace Jr.

51 Blake Cashman

     Eric Wilson

  6 Brian Asamoah

     Kobe King

45 Max Tooley

     Dorian Mausi

     Austin Keys     

Cornerbacks (11)

  7 Byron Murphy Jr.

  5 Mekhi Blackmon

  2 Isaiah Rodgers

     Jeff Okudah

29 Dwight McGlothern

     Tavierre Thomas

38 Ambry Thomas

     Reddy Steward 

     Kahlef Hailassie

     Keenan Garber

     Zemaiah Vaughn     

Safeties (6)

22 Harrison Smith

44 Josh Metellus

26 Theo Jackson

20 Jay Ward

     Mishael Powell

     Bubba Bolden

Special Teams (4)

Kickers (1)

16 Will Reichard

Punter (1)

17 Ryan Wright

     Oscar Chapman

Long Snapper (1)

42 Andrew DePaola

New Vikings

The 2025 NFL Draft is now closed. The months leading up to it, at times, felt like years. In about a 48-hour gasp over three days, it was over. The Minnesota Vikings spent the past three days picking players. They entered the draft with four picks so there wasn’t a lot of picking. Some teams had nearly three times that number of picks. With three on-the-clock trades, the Vikings managed to turn those four draft picks into five opportunities. 

The Minnesota Vikings left the 2025 NFL Draft with five rookies as well as a backup quarterback. With J.J. McCarthy primed to lead the Vikings for the next decade-plus, a backup quarterback with at least a little experience was needed. For a swap of fifth-round picks, the Vikings acquired Sam Howell from the Seattle Seahawks. Hopefully, he never sees a meaningful snap with the Vikings. They now have a backup with starting experience and he’s still on his rookie deal. That’s a very good thing for the Vikings. Backup quarterback was an annoying big need and now that need is filled. As for the draft, the Vikings added five players.

1. Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State

3. Tai Felton, WR, Maryland

5. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, DL, Georgia

6. Kobe King, LB, Penn State

6. Gavin Bartholemew, TE, Pittsburgh

Sam Howell would be a sixth in-draft addition. Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said in his pre-draft press conference that he targeted six picks from the original four. He came out of the draft with six players. I guess that he hit his target. 

As for the five drafted players, first-round pick Donovan Jackson is probably already considered the starting left guard. Immediately after the brutal playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams, head coach Kevin O’Connell singled out needed improvements on the interior of the offensive line. Through free agency and the draft, the Vikings have a new offensive line interior.

LG Donovan Jackson

  C  Ryan Kelly

RG Will Fries

All is an unknown until the players are on the field and the games count. Add that interior to the outstanding exterior of tackles Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill, the Vikings now have a potentially outstanding offensive line. 

Third-round receiver Tai Felton is a strong addition to the receiver room. He may also be in play for a kick/punt return role. He’s probably penciled in with free agent Rondale Moore right behind Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jalen Nailor. Felton could play an even larger receiving role if/when Addison is sitting a possible 2/3 game suspension.

Fifth-round defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins is a versatile player that should immediately have a role in rotation behind starters Jonathan Allen, Harrison Phillips, and Javon Hargrave.

I wasn’t sure if the Vikings would seek linebacker help in this draft. When Kobe King was still available at their first pick in the sixth round, they had to grab him. He should provide solid depth behind Blake Cashman and Ivan Pace Jr. 

Perhaps the most underrated position of need this offseason was tight end. Pre-draft, the Vikings had only T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver on the roster. Gavin Bartholomew not only has an outstanding name. He also a talented football player.

The close of the draft is the start of the race to sign players that weren’t selected. With the Vikings adding only five drafted players and one traded player, there was a lot of roster space for undrafted players. The Vikings signed 19 of them.

Tyler Batty, OLB, BYU

Silas Bolden, WR, Texas

Max Brosmer, QB, Minnesota

Logan Brown, OT, Kansas

Chaz Chambliss, OLB, Georgia

Oscar Chapman, P, Auburn

Zeke Correll, OL, NC State

Dontae Fleming, WR, Tulane

Keenan Garber, CB, Kansas State

Joe Huber, OL, Wisconsin

Austin Keys, LB, Auburn

Robert Lewis, WR, Auburn

Dorian Mausi, LB, Auburn

Bryson Nesbit, TE, North Carolina

Mishael Powell, S, Miami

Tre Stewart, RB, Jacksonville State

Zemaiah Vaughn, CB, Utah

Alex Williams, DL, Middle Tennessee State

Ben Yurosek, TE, Georgia

This Vikings regime has shown a willingness to populate the roster with undrafted players. There’s a good chance some of the above will be on the 2025 53-man roster. Oscar Chapman has a great opportunity to unseat Ryan Wright. There will be a training camp punting battle between the two. I like the roster chances of Tyler Batty, Logan Brown, Joe Huber, Tre Stewart, and Ben Yurosek. If Silas Bolden can earn kick/punt return duties, he might force the Vikings to keep an extra receiver. 

Many of the draft pundits and wannabe talent evaluators had the Vikings targeting safety or cornerback in the draft. They expressed shock that those positions weren’t addressed with their opinions of the Vikings draft. It was no surprise to me that they came out of the draft without a cornerback or safety. They did add a couple corners and a safety after the draft. I believe that the national pundits have no clue what the Vikings have in safety Theo Jackson and perhaps corners Mekhi Blackmon and Dwight McGlothern. 

To the new Vikings, welcome to Minnesota. 

Minnesota Vikings Draft: Day 2

Last year, the Minnesota Vikings had zero picks on Day 2. This year, the Vikings had one pick on Day 2. That single pick was a Compensatory Pick as a result of Kirk Cousins bolting for the Atlanta Falcons last offseason. That pick was the 97th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. After selecting Ohio State guard Donovan Jackson with the 24th pick on Day 1, the Vikings had a long wait for their second selection. Unless they made the bold, or reckless, move of dipping into next year’s draft to move up, the Vikings were going to see 72 players selected before they had a shot at their second player. 

It was a long, long wait. It felt like more than 72 players came off the board. 

From the start of the second round, I had a trio of Day 2 favorites.

Shemar Turner, DT, Texas A&M

Nohl Williams, CB, Cal

Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame

Going into the draft, I expected Shemar Turner and Xavier Watts to be borderline first-round picks. Nohl Williams would probably go early in the third. I wasn’t very hopeful that any of the trio would actually make it to the Vikings. The Chicago Bears grabbed Turner late in the second round. The Kansas City Chiefs made Williams wait until the 85th pick. So close. That left Watts. My goodness, the borderline first-round safety Watts was going to fall into the Vikings lap. Long-time safety legend Harrison Smith was going to mentor a youngster from his college home, Notre Dame. The symmetry was too good to believe. Watts was my guy and he kept falling to the Vikings with each selected player. Suddenly, the draft was at pick #95. The New England Patriots grabbed a center. Only the Philadelphia Eagles stood between the Vikings and Watts. The Eagles had selected Texas safety Andrew Mukuba in the second round. There was no way they would add a second safety. Xavier Watts was coming to Minnesota. Suddenly, it all changed. I’m not sure which I saw first. I think it was “MIN” drifting back to #102 on the ticker and “HOU” replacing them at #97. It may have been the damn “TRADE” popping up with the Atlanta Falcons appearing in the Eagles spot. When my thoughts focused, I realized that the Falcons had jumped ahead of the Vikings and selected Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts with the 96th pick of the 2025 NFL Draft. Whether they were interested in the Notre Dame safety or not, the Vikings dropped back five spots AFTER Watts was taken off the board. For those five spots, they received an improved Day 3 pick. The Vikings now have two picks in the fifth round rather than one in the fifth and one in the sixth. Even with a drop of only five picks, I wish that the Vikings had gained a pick rather than improving their two Day 3 picks. My guess is that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will pick a player with one of those fifths and trade the other for a couple of later picks. 

The Vikings still had a third round pick. It was #102. The last pick of Day 2. Who’s next? With the pain of losing Xavier Watts so fresh, I couldn’t target another safety. A corner? There are a few available that I like. A defensive tackle? There are a bunch that I like. A receiver? Maybe. A running back. I feel like one of the picks today will be a running back. A tight end? The Vikings need one but I expect that addition to come among the undrafted free agents. So, a receiver or defensive tackle. Or trade out of Day 2? 

With the 102nd pick, and final pick of the third round, the Minnesota Vikings selected:

Tai Felton, WR, Maryland

At an earlier time, about a month ago, I had this dreamy vision that the Vikings on Day 3 of this draft might revisit the 2015 NFL Draft and select a Maryland receiver in Round 5. Other than the position they play, there aren’t a lot of similarities between Tai Felton and Stefon Diggs. Felton seems more fast than quick. Diggs is more quick than fast. Felton is more down the field. Diggs can wreck defenses down the field but I’ve always seen him at his best moving within 25 yards of the line of scrimmage. Felton isn’t the big receiver that I felt the Vikings needed. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah did say that he plays taller than his 6’1” height. The Vikings have an elite receiver duo in Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Jalen Nailor has popped as an effective #3. Rondale Moore was an intriguing addition in free agency. Felton ran a 4.37 40 at the Scouting Combine. Nailor has carried the “Speedy” nickname for a while and is considered the fastest of the Vikings receivers. Felton might challenge him for that honor. Right now, if the Vikings keep five receivers, those five receivers appear set.

Justin Jefferson

Jordan Addison

Jalen Nailor

Rondale Moore

Tai Felton

Maybe the Vikings keep six receivers. If so there’s a training camp battle amongst the following:

Thayer Thomas

Tim Jones

Jeshaun Jones

Lucky Jackson 

Because of his special teams versatility, I put free agent addition Tim Jones as the leader if six receivers are an option. If nothing else, it’s a competition. That’s the purpose of training camp. At receiver, the Vikings have two guarantees. Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. A talented #3 in Jalen Nailor playing in a contract year. I really like the free agent addition of Rondale Moore. A knee-jerk reaction to the Felton pick is that he’s the eventual replacement for Nailor. That decision is a year away. For now, I like the Vikings receiver room.

On to Day 3. 

The First Round

After months of mock drafts, the real draft finally landed in Green Bay. For the first time in a long time, all 32 teams entered the annual draft with their respective picks. It took about 10 minutes for the first trade. Here’s the first round.

1.   Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami

2.   Jacksonville Jaguars(from Browns): Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado

3.   New York Giants: Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State

4.   New England Patriots: Will Campbell, OT, LSU 

5.   Cleveland Browns(from Jaguars): Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

6.   Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

7.   New York Jets: Amand Membou, OT, Missouri

8.   Carolina Panthers: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

9.   New Orleans Saints: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas

10. Chicago Bears: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

11. San Francisco 49ers: Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia

12. Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Booker, G, Alabama

13. Miami Dolphins: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan

14. Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

15. Atlanta Falcons: Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia

16. Arizona Cardinals: Walter Nolen, DT, Mississippi

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M

18. Seattle Seahawks: Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

20. Denver Broncos: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina

23. Green Bay Packers: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

24. Minnesota Vikings: Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State

25. New York Giants (from Texans): Jaxson Dart, QB, Mississippi

26. Atlanta Falcons (from Rams): James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee

27. Baltimore Ravens: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

28. Detroit Lions: Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State

29. Washington Commanders: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon

30. Buffalo Bills: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

31. Philadelphia Eagles(from Chiefs): Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama

32. Kanas City Chiefs(from Eagles): Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

***

So, we entered the 2025 NFL Draft with every team having their assigned picks. History shows that as unusual. 

With the Tennessee Titans making the obligatory bow to quarterback at the top of the draft, the 2025 NFL Draft started at #2. The Jaguars trading from #5 to #2 was the excitement of the first ten picks. The Browns decided that a few picks were worth a generational talent. Usually, that sort of trade is made for a quarterback. 

Favorite Picks:

2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado

The Jaguars paid a QB price to trade up three spots. Is Travis Hunter worth that price? Yes. 

6. Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

In my opinion, Ashton Jeanty was topped only by Travis Hunter in this draft as a football talent. 

14. Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

I get a team liking Colston Loveland over Tyler Warren. I don’t get Warren falling out of the Top 10. The Colts lucked into a Top-8 player at #14.

18. Seattle Seahawks: Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State

Grey Zabel was my #1 for the Vikings. It was crushing to see Zabel go to such a shit organization.

20 Denver Broncos: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

Jahdae Barron was one of my favorite players in this draft. A good Broncos defense got better. And more versatile. 

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina

Omarion Hampton in a Jim Harbaugh offense should be fun. 

30. Buffalo Bills: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

The Bills and a talented corner might not be a better first round match. 

I don’t get the Chiefs-Eagles trade that ended the night. The Super Bowl teams swapped spots and the Chiefs got a fifth for the effort. Why? I get the Chiefs accepting a free fifth-round pick. I don’t get the Eagles gifting a fifth-round pick. 

The Minnesota Vikings selected Ohio State guard Donovan Jackson with the 24th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. 

From the moment they were bullied out of the playoffs by the Los Angeles Rams, it was clear the Vikings stressed the importance of the offensive line. The Vikings will not be bullied again. Offensive line was a priority in free agency. It was a priority in the draft as well. In left tackle Christian Darrisaw and right tackle Brian O’Neill, the Vikings have one of the best tackle duos in the league. With Will Fries, Ryan Kelly, and Donovan Jackson, the interior should be, for the first time in a long time, a strength. 

For now, on paper, the Vikings have a formidable offensive line. 

LT  Christian Darrisaw

LG Donovan Jackson

  C  Ryan Kelly

RG Will Fries

RT  Brian O’Neill

Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft is next. The Vikings have a wait. #97. 

Final Flea Flicker Mock Draft

Finally. The 2025 NFL Draft is today. Before we finally see the REAL picks, here’s the Final Flea Flicker Mock Draft. 

1.   Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami

2.   Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter, CB, Colorado

3.   New York Giants: Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State

4.   New England Patriots: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

5.   Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

6.   Las Vegas Raiders: Will Campbell, OT, LSU

7.   New York Jets: Amand Membou, OT, Missouri

8.   Carolina Panthers: Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia

9.   New Orleans Saints: Shemar Stewart, Edge Texas A&M

10. Chicago Bears: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

11. San Francisco 49ers: Walter Nolen, DT, Mississippi

12. Dallas Cowboys: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

13. Miami Dolphins: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas

14. Indianapolis Colts: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

15. Atlanta Falcons: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

16. Arizona Cardinals: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon

18. Seattle Seahawks: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama

20. Denver Broncos: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan

23. Green Bay Packers: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

24. Minnesota Vikings: Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State

25. Houston Texans: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

26. Los Angeles Rams: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

27. Baltimore Ravens: Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia

28. Detroit Lions: James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee

29. Washington Commanders: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

30. Buffalo Bills: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon

32. Philadelphia Eagles: Mike Green, Edge, Marshall

Until the REAL one. 

Minnesota Vikings Dream Picks At Each Pick

The Minnesota Vikings hold only four picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. 

Round 1: 24th overall

Round 3: 97th overall

Round 5: 139th overall

Round 6: 187th overall

That’s not a lot of draft picks. It’s been reported/speculated that general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is targeting making six selections. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him move around in the draft. Through three drafts, he’s moved often. I just hope that he makes the right trades rather than simply trying to hit a targeted number of picks. 

Here are some of my dream picks at each of the four picks the Vikings currently hold. 

Round 1:

Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State

Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan

Derrick Holmes, DT, Oregon

Walter Nolen, DT, Mississippi

Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

Trey Amos, CB, Mississippi

Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina

Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

That’s a long list. That tends to happen when the Vikings pick in the back third of the first round. There’s more corners than I expected. I could probably reduce the list to just Jahdae Barron and Will Johnson but I really like the others. The most dreamy of the dream first-rounders are Grey Zabel, Kenneth Grant, and Derrick Holmes. Maybe Walter Nolen too. 

Round 3:

Dylan Fairchild, G, Georgia

Wyatt Milum, OL, West Virginia

Ty Robinson, DT, Nebraska

C.J. West, DT, Indiana

Omar Norman-Lott, DT, Tennessee

Aeneas Peebles, DT, Virginia Tech

Nohl Williams, CB, Cal

Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame

Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville

Savion Williams, WR, TCU

Round 5:

Jackson Slater, OL, Sacramento State

JJ Pegues, DT, Mississippi

Zah Frazier, CB, UTSA

Brashard Smith, RB, SMU

Round 6:

Bryce Cabeldue, G, Kansas

Nazir Stackhouse, DT, Georgia

Tonka Hemingway, DT, South Carolina

Kyonte Hamilton, DT, Rutgers

Cobee Bryant, CB, Kansas

Isaac TeSlaa, WR, Arkansas

Jimmy Horn Jr., WR, Colorado

An attempt to form a Dream Draft from the above Dream Picks:

1. Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State

3. C.J. West, DT, Indiana

5. Brashard Smith, RB, SMU

6. Cobee Bryant, CB, Kansas

One more day. 

Minnesota Vikings Coaching Staff Finally Finalized

Yesterday, the Minnesota Vikings players reported for the first day of offseason workouts. The team also finally finalized the coaching staff. I can’t recall the Vikings ever announcing the final coaching staff this late. This year, there were more tweaks than changes. The departures were assistant offensive coordinator/assistant quarterbacks coach Grant Udinski and assistant offensive line coach Shaun Sarrett. Both are continuing their coaching progression with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Kevin O’Connell plucked Jordan Traylor from the New Orleans Saints to replace Udinski. Former Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars offensive line coach Keith Carter was hired to replace Sarrett. The other changes on the coaching staff were in-house tweaks. Assistant Head Coach Mike Pettine had been filling in as the outside linebackers coach since late in the 2023 season. He will now focus on his Assistant Head Coach tasks. Assistant inside linebackers coach Thad Bogardus was promoted to the outside linebackers coach. Assistant defensive line coach Patrick Hill will assist with that position group. Defensive assistant Imarjae Albury Sr. will replace Hill as assistant defensive line coach. So, there was some shuffling among the defensive coaches. The newcomer among the defensive coaches is quality control coach Chenzo Funari. He arrives from the college ranks. Prior to that, he was literally a rocket scientist. Interesting career change. 

Here is the coaching staff of the 2025 Minnesota Vikings:

Minnesota Vikings Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Kevin O’Connell

Assistant Head Coach: 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: Keith Carter

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: Imarjaye Albury Sr.

Inside Linebackers: Mike Siravo

Outside Linebackers: Thad Bogardus

Assistant Outside Linebackers: Patrick Hill

Pass Game Coordinator/Defensive Backs: Daronte Jones

Safeties: Michael Hutchings

Quality Control: Chenzo Funari

Defensive Assistant: Charlie Frye

Special Teams:

Assistant Special Teams: Dalmin Gibson

More Minnesota Vikings Mock Drafts

The real 2025 NFL Draft is three days away. The days of 2025 mock drafts are finally coming to end. Before they do, here are three more Minnesota Vikings mock drafts. Two without trades. One with a first-round trade back. 

Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft #1

1. Kelvin Banks Jr., OL, Texas

3. Jordan Phillips, DT, Maryland

5. Kyle Williams, WR, Washington State

6. Cam’Ron Jackson, DT, Florida

Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft #2

1. Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan

3. Tate Ratledge, G, Georgia

5. Kyle Williams, WR, Washington State

6. Marcus Yarns, RB, Delaware

Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft #3

Trade: Vikings flip #24 to the Cleveland Browns for #33 and #67

2. Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State

3. Kevin Winston Jr, S, Penn State

3. Harold Fanin Jr., TE, Bowling Green

5. Brashard Smith, RB, SMU

6. Cam’Ron Jackson, DT, Florida

In the real draft, I have serious doubts that either Kelvin Banks Jr. or Kenneth Grant will be available at #24. When they were in each of the respective above mocks, I had to pounce. Over these past months, I’ve come to favor an interior offensive lineman with the Vikings first pick. A player like Kenneth Grant being available would alter that. 

Of the above mocks drafts, I favor the trade back. Getting more than four shots at players is always going to be better than not. I also really like Grey Zabel as the Vikings first pick. He’s probably emerged as my #1 option at 24, or later with a trade back. His versatility to immediately step in at left guard and perhaps move to center or right tackle in a couple years separates him from other prospects. 

I believe that the PFF mock draft simulator is broken when it comes to Washington State receiver Kyle Williams. I believe that he’s a Day 2 talent but he’s routinely available in the fifth round. 

Only three more days of this mocking nonsense remains. 

Minnesota Vikings Decision-Makers

The 2025 NFL Draft kicks off this Thursday. Every team in the league has a team of people making decisions in the draft. For the best teams, it’s a near seamless interaction between the coaches and personnel department. The coaches communicate their needs and wants. The personnel department find the players that best fit those needs and wants. For the Minnesota Vikings, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell top the respective personnel and coach flow chart. Here’s a look at the too often unsung heroes that populate the Vikings personnel department. 

General Manager: Kwesi Adofo-Mensah

Senior Vice President of Player Personnel: Ryan Grigson

Vice President of Football Operations: Demetrius Washington

Director of Player Personnel: Ryan Monnens

Assistant Director of Player Personnel: Chisom Opara

Director of Pro Personnel: Sam DeLuca

Senior Personnel Executive: Jamaal Stephenson

Director of College Scouting: Mike Sholiton

Assistant Director of College Scouting: Pat Roberts

National Scout: Sean Gustus

National Scout: David Williams

College Scout: Frank Acevedo

College Scout: Jake Essler

College Scout: Blaine Gramer

College Scout: Matt Kelly

College Scout: Steve Sabo

College Scout/BLESTO: Jack Murphy

Pro Scout: Salli Clavelle

Pro Scout: Alex Dale

Pro Scout: Shane Normandeau

Pro Personnel Consultant: Andy Hanson

Player Personnel and Player Development Analyst: Taylor Brooks

College and Pro Scouting Analyst: Michelle Mankoff

Senior Football Operations Manager: Kaitlin Zarecki

Senior Manager of Football Administration: Emily Badis

Senior Manager of Family Engagement: Quinn Adams

Football Quantitative Methods Senior Analyst: Chris French

Football Quantitative Methods Analyst: Cole Bransford

Director, Football Information Systems: Luke Burson

Database Administrator: Mike Desplenter

Football Information Systems Developer: Anthony Caron

Football Information Systems Developer: Derek McCormick

Player Personnel Consultant: Paul Wiggin

Football Quantitative Methods Analyst: Chenzo Funari

SQL Database Associate: Eva Richterkessing

Scouting Associate: Dabness Atkins

Scouting Associate: Brian Schnorr

It’s a team. When Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was hired in 2022 to replace Rick Spielman, the Vikings were swapping a career football scout with a former stock trader. Adofo-Mensah was one of the new wave of football decision-makers that came from a problem-solving, analytics background. I was skeptical. I’ve been resistant to accepting this move to football decision-making based on analytics. I see it as a move to relying more on spreadsheets than actually watching football. A RAS score being more important than how a player actually moves and reacts on the field. I was worried that Adofo-Mensah would move the Vikings in that direction. There’s no doubt that his strength is in his problem-solving and analytical processes. What I have come to appreciate about the Vikings general manager is his awareness of his weaknesses. He knew that he had to embrace and get better at his football scouting. He brought long-time football scout Ryan Grigson to assist him. The hiring of Demetrius Washington also showed that Adofo-Mensah wasn’t leaving his analytical ways. The Vikings decision-making group is a nice blend of analytics and real football scouting. 

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has overseen three drafts. His first was terrible. Only three players remain from the 10 selected in the 2022 NFL Draft. Of those three, sixth-round receiver Jalen Nailor has been the most productive. Receiver Jordan Addison and perhaps cornerback Mekhi Blackmon are the keepers from the 2023 NFL Draft. If quarterback J.J. McCarthy and outside linebacker Dallas Turner become the players that they were drafted to be, the 2024 draft will be considered franchise-altering and an all-timer. While Adofo-Mensah’s draft decisions have been rightfully questioned, he seems to be trending in the right direction but it’s his work in free agency that should get him a deserved second contract in a few weeks. 

I like seeing Paul Wiggin on the Vikings personnel roster. He’s 90 and has been with the Vikings since 1985. His first seven years in Minnesota was as the defensive line coach under Bud Grant and then Jerry Burns. In 1992, Wiggin moved into the Vikings front office. He’s been assisting with the draft ever since. As a player, he was a Pro Bowl defensive lineman with the Cleveland Browns. He was a teammate of Jim Brown. Sadly, there aren’t a lot of those players left. Wiggin is a football-lifer and I enjoy seeing him continuing to assist the Vikings. 

The Next Flea Flicker Mock Draft

The 2025 NFL Draft is less than a week away. Here’s another guess at the first round picks.

1.   Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami

2.   Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter, CB, Colorado

3.   New York Giants: Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State

4.   New England Patriots: Will Campbell. OT, LSU

5.   Jacksonville Jaguars: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

6.   Las Vegas Raiders: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

7.   New York Jets: Amand Membou, OT, Missouri

8.   Carolina Panthers: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

9.   New Orleans Saints: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

10. Chicago Bears: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

11. San Francisco 49ers: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama

12. Dallas Cowboys: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina

13. Miami Dolphins: Josh Simmons, O, Ohio State

14. Indianapolis Colts: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

15. Atlanta Falcons: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

16. Arizona Cardinals: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Mike Green, Edge, Marshall

18. Seattle Seahawks: Tyler Booker, G, Alabama

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

20. Denver Broncos: Walter Nolen, DT, Mississippi

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jaxson Dart, QB, Mississippi

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

23. Green Bay Packers: Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College

24. Minnesota Vikings: Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State

25. Houston Texans: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas

26. Los Angeles Rams: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

27. Baltimore Ravens: James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee

28. Detroit Lions: Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M

29. Washington Commanders: Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan

30. Buffalo Bills: Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon

32. Philadelphia Eagles: Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia

Until the FINAL one. 

Top 10 Minnesota Vikings First Round Picks

The 2025 NFL Draft is less than a week away. During this time, most of my football thoughts are on this year’s fast-approaching draft. Every now and then I think about drafts of the past. Those thoughts brought this. 

The Top 10 Minnesota Vikings First Round Picks

10. Robert Smith, RB, Ohio State, 21st pick 1993

Robert Smith is one of the biggest “what ifs” in Vikings franchise history. Just about every malady from chicken pox to a torn ACL slowed his NFL start. Once he finally got his footing in the NFL he was rarely slowed. In fact, the only thing that slowed him was his early retirement at 28. If he’d put up the numbers in his first four seasons that he put up his final four seasons, Smith would be honored in Canton. 

10. Keith Millard, DT, Washington State, 13th pick 1984

Through his first five seasons with the Vikings, Keith Millard was on an all-timer pace. He routinely had his way with the blocking schemes designed to slow him. It was a blast to watch. 1989 was his best season. 18 sacks, NFL Defensive Player of the Year, third in the MVP voting. The attention paid to Millard that year helped defensive end Chris Doleman reach 21 sacks. Injuries sadly shortened Millard’s great career.

10. Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame, 29th pick 2012

Harrison Smith has been a playmaking force all over the Vikings defense since his first game. He plays everywhere. He can do everything. In my book, he’s been the best safety in football over the past decade. He should get Hall of Fame consideration five years after his retirement. 

10. Kevin Williams, DT, Oklahoma State, 9th pick 2003

When I think of Kevin Williams I often think of a play he made as a rookie against the Kansas City Chiefs. At the snap, he flashed through Will Shields, dispatched Tony Richardson as if he wasn’t there, and tackled Priest Holmes at a spot closer to the quarterback than the line of scrimmage. At the time, each of those players was among the best in the game at their position. Shields is a Hall of Famer. Williams made each look like they didn’t belong in his league. He’s the sort of defensive tackle that the Vikings have been seeking since he departed Minnesota. Defensive tackles like Kevin Williams don’t come around too often. 

10. Joey Browner, S, USC, 19th pick 1983

After Joey Browner took apart his Los Angeles Rams team, head coach John Robinson called him the game’s best defensive player. As with Millard, injuries shortened Browner’s career. If not for those injuries he’d be in the Hall of Fame. Despite an injury-shortened career, he has a legitimate Hall of Fame case. Especially after safety peer Kenny Easley made it. There are many Vikings fans of a certain age that consider Joey Browner their favorite player.

9. Chuck Foreman, RB, Miami, 12th pick 1973

For his first five years, Chuck Foreman was one of the best, if not the best, running back in the league. He was certainly the most versatile back. In 1975, he was seven rushing yards shy of leading the NFC in rushing, receptions, and touchdowns. There was no talk of a Triple Crown because there was never a thought that a running back could lead those three categories. Mostly Hall of Famers rank higher than Foreman on this list. There’s a legitimate argument that he should join them in Canton. 

8. Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU, 22nd pick 2020

After only five seasons, Justin Jefferson enters this list of great Vikings first round picks. In another five seasons, he should be near the top of this list. I never thought that a Vikings receiver would ever enter the elite orbit of Cris Carter and Randy Moss. Then along came Jefferson. He’s remarkable. Moss had the freakish athletic ability. Carter had the hands and body control. Jefferson has emerged as the best receiver in the league with unrelenting competitiveness and technique. He’s a great, fun football player. 

7. Chris Doleman, DE, Pittsburgh, 4th pick 1985

Just like I have that particular memory of Kevin Williams, I have a particular memory of Chris Doleman. It’s a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. It’s a game against Anthony Munoz. Some consider Munoz the best offensive tackle the game’s ever seen. Doleman made him look pedestrian. He made a lot of very good offensive linemen look pedestrian. 

6. Ron Yary, OT, USC, 1st pick 1968

Ron Yary was arguably the best offensive tackle of his era. First pick in the draft, six time first-team All-Pro, two time second-team All-Pro, seven Pro Bowls, 1970s All-Decade Team. 

5. Carl Eller, DE, Minnesota, 6th pick 1964

Carl Eller’s playing size is listed as 6’6” and 247 lbs. As a little, California kid falling for the Vikings in the early 1970s, Eller seemed twice that size. He was a great football player and one of the reasons I’ve been a Vikings fan since the early 1970s. 

4. Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma, 7th pick 2007

Adrian Peterson was a beast of a back. One of the best I’ve ever seen. He has the greatest rushing game in NFL history. He was eight yards from the greatest rushing season in NFL history. Three-time rushing champ, five time first-team All-Pro, seven Pro Bowls, 2010s All-Decade Team, 2012 MVP. Adrian Peterson is a Hall of Famer five years after he retires. 

3. Randall McDaniel, OG, Arizona State, 19th pick 1988

His funky stance was noticeable. His athleticism and ability to dominate defenders was even more noticeable. He’s one of the best guards to ever play in the league. Nine time first-team All-Pro, 12 Pro Bowls, 1990s All-Decade Team, NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

2. Randy Moss, WR, Marshall, 21st pick 1998

Randy Moss scared defenses more than any receiver I’ve ever seen. Blanket double, even triple, coverage often wasn’t enough coverage to keep him from catching a pass. He’s arguably the most physically gifted receiver that’s ever played. Four time first-team All-Pro, six Pro Bowls, 2000s All-Decade Team, NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

1. Alan Page, DT, Notre Dame, 15th pick 1967

Alan Page gets the #1 spot because he was a fantastic football player. He’s also my favorite all-time player. Page was the first defensive football player to be named the league’s MVP. For the young folk, he was the Aaron Donald of his day. Page was so quick off the snap. He just tore up offensive lines. Six time first-team All-Pro, three time second-team All-Pro, nine Pro Bowls, two time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, 1971 MVP, 1970s All-Decade Team, NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. 

***

Perhaps I’m being overly hopeful but Christian Darrisaw is on his way to earning a spot on this list. 

Hall of Famers

Alan Page

Randy Moss

Randall McDaniel

Carl Eller

Ron Yary

Chris Doleman

Will be a Hall of Famer

Adrian Peterson

Have a Hall of Fame Case

Chuck Foreman

Joey Browner

Kevin Williams

Harrison Smith

Building a first-year eligible Hall of Fame Case

Justin Jefferson

If not for the injuries that dismantled his career, Keith Millard would be in the Hall of Fame company of fellow Vikings defensive linemen Page, Eller, Doleman, John Randle, eventually Jared Allen, and hopefully Kevin Williams. 

Here’s hoping that J.J. McCarthy, Dallas Turner, and whoever the Vikings select next Thursday play their way onto this list. 

Minnesota Vikings Second Round Draft History

Yesterday was a look at the first round draft history of the Minnesota Vikings. Today, it’s the second round. Over 63 drafts, the Vikings have selected 61 players in the second round. Here are those second round selections:

1961: Rip Hawkins, LB, North Carolina

1962: No Pick

1963: Bobby Bell, LB, Minnesota

1964: Hal Bedsole, TE, USC

1965: Archie Sutton, OT, Illinois

          Lance Rentzel, RB, Oklahoma

1966: Jim Lindsey, RB, Arkansas

1967: Bob Grim, WR, Oregon State

1968: Charlie West, DB, Texas-El Paso

1969: Ed White, G, California

1970: Bill Cappleman, QB, Florida State

1971: No Pick

1972: Ed Marinaro, RB, Cornell

1973: Jackie Wallace, DB, Arizona

1974: John Holland, WR, Tennessee State

          Matt Blair, LB, Iowa State

1975: Art Riley, DT, USC

1976: Sammy White, WR, Grambling

1977: Dennis Swilley, C, Texas A&M

1978: John Turner, CB, Miami

1979: Dave Huffman, C, Notre Dame

1980: Willie Teal, CB, LSU

1981: Mardye McDole, WR, Mississippi

          Robin Sendlein, LB, Texas

          Jarvis Redwine, RB, Nebraska

1982: Terry Tausch, OT, Texas

1983: No Pick

1984: No Pick

1985: Issiac Holt, CB Alcorn State

1986: No Pick

1987: Ray Berry, LB, Baylor

1988: Brad Edwards, S, South Carolina

1989: David Braxton, LB, Wake Forest

1990: No Pick

1991: No Pick

1992: Robert Harris, DE, Southern

1993: Qadry Ismail, WR, Syracuse

1994: David Palmer, RB/WR, Alabama

1995: Orlando Thomas, S, SW Louisiana

          Corey Fuller, CB, Florida State

1996: James Manley, DT, Vanderbilt

1997: Torian Gray, S, Virginia Tech

1998: Kailee Wong, LB, Stanford

1999: Jim Kleinsasser, TE, North Dakota

2000: Fred Robbins, DT Wake Forest

          Michael Boireau, DE, Miami

2001: Willie Howard, DT, Stanford

2002: Raonall Smith, LB, Washington State

2003: E.J. Henderson, LB, Maryland

2004: Dontarrious Thomas, LB, Auburn

2005: Marcus Johnson, G, Mississippi

2006: Cedric Griffin, CB, Texas

          Ryan Cook, C, New Mexico

          Tarvaris Jackson, QB, Alabama State

2007: Sidney Rice, WR, South Carolina

2008: Tyrell Johnson, S, Arkansas State

2009: Phil Loadholt, OT, Oklahoma

2010: Chris Cook, CB, Virginia

          Toby Gerhart, RB, Stanford

2011: Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame

2012: No Pick

2013: No Pick

2014: No Pick

2015: Eric Kendricks, LB, UCLA

2016: Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson

2017: Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State

2018: Brian O’Neill, T, Pittsburgh

2019: Irv Smith Jr., TE, Alabama

2020: Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise State

2021: No Pick

2022: Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson

          Ed Ingram, G, LSU

2023: No Pick

2024: No Pick

A Breakdown:

Hall of Famers:

Bobby Bell

From 1960-65, the National Football League and upstart American Football League waged an annual recruiting war for college football players. Each league had a draft and then the race was on to get the players signed. Some unusual tactics were used. Some ran real close to kidnapping. The more established NFL usually had the edge but the AFL stole more than a few college stars. The recruiting and signing war was the reason for the NFL-AFL merger in 1966. From 1961-65, nearly all of the Vikings draft picks ended up in Minnesota. The big one that got away is Bobby Bell. He signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. Bell was the best outside linebacker of his era and one of the best outside linebackers of any era. His great career earned him a bust in Canton. I’ve spent many sleepless nights imagining Bobby Bell playing behind the great Purple People Eaters. Vikings history would be so different if Bell was a part of it. 

Hall of Fame adjacent is 1964 second-round pick Hal Bedsole. In 1967, the Vikings traded Bedsole, Tommy Mason, and a second round pick to the Los Angeles Rams for a first round pick. The Vikings used that first round pick to select Alan Page.

The Vikings Second Round By Position: 

Quarterbacks (2)

Bill Cappleman

Tarvaris Jackson

Running Backs (6)

Lance Rentzel - played receiver in the NFL

Jim Lindsey

Ed Marinaro

Jarvis Redwine

Toby Gerhart

Dalvin Cook

Receivers (7):

Bob Grim

John Holland

Sammy White

Mardye McDole

Qadry Ismail

David Palmer

Sidney Rice

Tight Ends (4):

Hal Bedsole

Jim Kleinsasser

Kyle Rudolph

Irv Smith Jr.

Offensive Linemen (11):

Archie Sutton

Ed White

Dennis Swilley

Dave Huffman

Terry Tausch

Marcus Johnson

Ryan Cook

Phil Loadholt

Brian O’Neill

Ezra Cleveland

Ed Ingram

Defensive Linemen (6):

Art Riley

Robert Harris

James Manley

Fred Robbins

Michael Boireau

Willie Howard

Linebackers (11):

Rip Hawkins

Bobby Bell

Matt Blair

Robin Sendlein

Ray Berry

David Braxton

Kailee Wong

Raonall Smith

E.J. Henderson

Dontarrious Smith

Eric Kendricks

Defensive Backs (14):

Charlie West

Jackie Wallace

John Turner

Willie Teal

Issiac Holt

Brad Edwards

Orlando Thomas

Corey Fuller

Torian Gray

Cedric Griffin

Tyrell Johnson

Chris Cook

Mackensie Alexander

Andrew Booth Jr.

Some Second Round Observations:

In 1981, the Vikings traded the 12th pick in the 1981 NFL Draft to the Baltimore Colts for two second round picks and a fifth round pick. As a result, the Vikings had three picks in the second round. No first round pick. But three second round picks. At the time, I had mixed feelings about this trade. I could understand adding a couple more shots at picking a keeper(s). I just wasn’t sure if two seconds and a fifth equaled the 12th pick. Before the second round, I didn’t like the trade. After the second round, I liked the trade. 

Mardye McDole

Robin Sendlein

Jarvis Redwine

Mardye McDole was a receiver I liked at the 12th pick. The Vikings got him with the 39th pick. I also liked what I’d seen of Robin Sendlein and Jarvis Redwine in college. McDole, Sendlein, and Redwine played a combined 10 seasons for the Vikings. McDole did little. Sendlein started a handful of games. Redwine was a decent returner for a couple years. Hindsight makes things even more painful as Mike Singletary, Howie Long, and Rickey Jackson were second round picks that year. Russ Grimm went in the third. All four ended their great careers in Canton. The Vikings could’ve selected at least a couple of them. Hindsight is fun. 

During the 1983 season, the Vikings traded their 1984 second round pick for Archie Manning. The Chicago Bears damn near killed Manning in a game during the 1984 season. He retired after that season. History will hold Peyton and Eli as better quarterbacks but Archie was the more talented quarterback. History would be kinder to Archie Manning if he didn’t have to start his career with such a shit New Orleans Saints team.

The second round can be a tease. It’s close enough to the top of the draft that it’s expected to be something like a 1a. In reality, it’s more of a crap shoot than the first round and the first round is already a crap shoot. 

One of the best examples of the second round being a tease is 2002 second round pick Raonall Smith. I saw him several times while he played at Washington State. He was a terrific football player, a first round talent, and a steal in the second round. Unfortunately, the touch of a feather could put him on IR. 

Matt Blair is the only second round pick in the Vikings Ring of Honor. Ed White should join him. Jim Kleinsasser and Kyle Rudolph should join him as well. 

Speaking of Matt Blair, several of my favorite Vikings players over the years have been selected in the second round. 

Ed White (I’ll always favor Cal players)

Matt Blair

Sammy White

Orlando Thomas

Jim Kleinsasser

E.J. Henderson

Sidney Rice

Kyle Rudolph

Eric Kendricks

Dalvin Cook

Brian O’Neill

The Vikings second round history is a mixed bag. As soon as I start thinking why bother and trade that second for a third and a fifth, the Vikings pull in a Matt Blair or a Jim Kleinsasser. Rip Hawkins was the first second round pick in franchise history. He became a defensive cornerstone at middle linebacker from 1961-65. He paved the way for Lonnie Warwick, Jeff Siemon, Scott Studwell, E.J. Henderson, and Eric Kendricks. Hawkins started a strong Vikings tradition of middle linebackers. I like many of the Vikings second round picks. I really like a few of them. If the Vikings had managed to pull Bobby Bell from the Chiefs, the Vikings second round history, and franchise history, would be a whole lot different. 

Minnesota Vikings First Round Draft History

The Minnesota Vikings have been taking part in the NFL Draft for 64 years. In those 64 drafts, the Vikings have selected 67 players in the first round. Here are those first round selections:

1961: Tommy Mason, RB, Tulane
1962: No Pick
1963: Jim Dunaway, DT, Mississippi
1964: Carl Eller, DE, Minnesota
1965: Jack Snow, WR, Notre Dame
1966: Jerry Shay, DT, Purdue
1967: Clinton Jones, RB, Michigan State
          Gene Washington, WR, Michigan State
          Alan Page, DT, Notre Dame
1968: Ron Yary, OT, USC
1969: No Pick
1970: John Ward, OT, Oklahoma State
1971: Leo Hayden, RB, Ohio State
1972: Jeff Siemon, LB, Stanford
1973: Chuck Foreman, RB, Miami
1974: Fred McNeill, LB, UCLA
          Steve Riley, OT, USC
1975: Mark Mullaney, DT, Colorado State
1976: James White, DT, Oklahoma State
1977: Tommy Kramer, QB, Rice
1978: Randy Holloway, DE, Pittsburgh
1979: Ted Brown, RB, North Carolina State
1980: Doug Martin, DE, Washington
1981: No Pick
1982: Darrin Nelson, RB, Stanford
1983: Joey Browner, S, USC
1984: Keith Millard, DE, Washington State
1985: Chris Doleman, LB, Pittsburgh
1986: Gerald Robinson, DE, Aubrun
1987: D.J. Dozier, RB, Penn State
1988: Randall McDaniel, OG, Arizona State
1989: No Pick
1990: No Pick
1991: No Pick
1992: No Pick
1993: Robert Smith, RB, Ohio State
1994: DeWayne Washington, CB, North Carolina State
          Todd Steussie, OT, California
1995: Derrick Alexander, DE, Florida State
          Korey Stringer, OT, Ohio State
1996: Duane Clemons, DE, California
1997: Dwayne Rudd, LB, Alabama
1998: Randy Moss, WR, Marshall
1999: Daunte Culpepper, QB, Central Florida
          Dimitrius Underwood, DE, Michigan State
2000: Chris Hovan, DT, Boston College
2001: Michael Bennett, RB, Wisconsin
2002: Bryant McKinnie, OT, Miami
2003: Kevin Williams, DT, Oklahoma State
2004: Kenechi Udeze, DE, USC
2005: Troy Williamson, WR, South Carolina
           Erasmus James, DE, Wisconsin
2006: Chad Greenway, LB, Iowa
2007: Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma
2008: No Pick
2009: Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
2010: No Pick
2011: Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State
2012: Matt Kalil, OT, USC
          Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame
2013: Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida
          Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
          Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee
2014: Anthony Barr, LB, UCLA
          Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
2015: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
2016: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi
2017: No Pick
2018: Mike Hughes, CB, Central Florida
2019: Garrett Bradbury, C, North Carolina State
2020: Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
          Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
2021: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
2022: Lewis Cine, S, Georgia

2023: Jordan Addison, WR, USC

2024: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

          Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama

A Breakdown:

Hall of Famers:
Carl Eller
Alan Page
Ron Yary
Chris Doleman
Randall McDaniel
Randy Moss
Adrian Peterson will soon join this list.

If I were to pick a past first round pick that hasn’t received the Hall of Fame consideration that he deserves, that player would be Chuck Foreman. There was a four-five year stretch in which he was arguably the best running back in the league. He was certainly the most versatile. He was such a fun back. 

Joey Browner and Keith Millard would be in Canton if injuries hadn’t whittled away at their career. 

By position:

Quarterbacks (5):
Tommy Kramer
Daunte Culpepper
Christian Ponder
Teddy Bridgewater

J.J. McCarthy

Running Backs (10):
Tommy Mason
Clinton Jones
Leo Hayden
Chuck Foreman
Ted Brown
Darrin Nelson
D.J. Dozier
Robert Smith
Michael Bennett
Adrian Peterson

Receivers (9):
Jack Snow
Gene Washington
Randy Moss
Troy Williamson
Percy Harvin
Cordarrelle Patterson
Laquon Treadwell
Justin Jefferson

Jordan Addison

Offensive Linemen (10):
Ron Yary
John Ward
Steve Riley
Randall McDaniel
Todd Steussie
Korey Stringer
Bryant McKinnie
Matt Kalil
Garrett Bradbury
Christian Darrisaw

Defensive Linemen (18):
Jim Dunaway
Carl Eller
Jerry Shay
Alan Page
Mark Mullaney
James White
Randy Holloway
Doug Martin
Keith Millard
Gerald Robinson
Derrick Alexander
Duane Clemons
Dimitrius Underwood
Chris Hovan
Kevin Williams
Keneche Udeze
Erasmus James
Sharrif Floyd

Linebackers (7):
Jeff Siemon
Fred McNeill
Chris Doleman
Dwayne Rudd
Chad Greenway
Anthony Barr

Dallas Turner

Cornerbacks (5):
DeWayne Washington
Xavier Rhodes
Trae Waynes
Mike Hughes
Jeff Gladney

Safeties (3):
Joey Browner
Harrison Smith
Lewis Cine

It’s interesting that defensive line is by far the most popular first round position but a defensive lineman hasn’t been selected in the first round since 2013. While not technically a defensive lineman, the Vikings did address their pass rush last year with the selection of outside linebacker Dallas Turner. 

During the NFL-AFL bidding wars of the 1960s, drafted players had options. They could sign with the established NFL team that drafted them or they could sign with the newbie AFL team that drafted them. The Vikings lost 1963 first-round pick Jim Dunaway to the Buffalo Bills. He developed into an integral player on one of the best defenses in the AFL. He would’ve paired quite nicely with Alan Page in the middle of Vikings defensive line. Or, maybe the Vikings don’t draft Page if Dunaway is already playing well on the line. We’ll never know. 

The Vikings traded 1965 first-round pick Jack Snow to the Los Angeles Rams before he ever played a snap in Minnesota. Despite playing college football in the Midwest at Notre Dame, I believe Snow didn’t like the snow and wanted to play professionally closer to his Southern California home. 

While I initially liked the selection of Lewis Cine. It’s no stretch to say that he’s fallen far short of the other two safeties the Vikings have selected in the first round. Joey Browner was and Harrison Smith continues to be outstanding. 

Picks that thrilled me to the point of hyperventilation:
Joey Browner
Randall McDaniel
Dwayne Rudd
RANDY MOSS
Chris Hovan
Bryant McKinnie
Chad Greenway
Adrian Peterson
Percy Harvin
Harrison Smith
Anthony Barr
Teddy Bridgewater
Justin Jefferson

J.J. McCarthy

Dallas Turner

The selection of Randy Moss in 1998 damn near killed me.

Then, there’s this one. 
I had watched a lot of Darrin Nelson at Stanford and he was a terrific back. I was thrilled when the Vikings drafted him but my thrill was muted a bit by the fact that Marcus Allen was still available. I hadn't seen as much of Allen in college as I'd seen of Nelson but I'd seen enough. I knew that Allen was going to be the better professional running back but I did really like the potential of Nelson’s versatility in the Vikings offense. 

Picks that disappointed so, so much as players:
Dwayne Rudd
Bryant McKinnie

I was thrilled when both players were drafted but I can't remember ever being thrilled watching either play. Dwayne Rudd put more energy into celebrating routine plays than he ever put into actually making plays. For the entirety of his career, Bryant McKinnie simply showed no energy and no interest while he was on the field. He made one Pro Bowl, probably because Brett Favre made him look better than he was, and was sent home before the game was even played. Who does that? McKinnie being sent home from the Pro Bowl was less surprising than his being selected for the game. I've never been one to hate the players that play for the team that I love but I hated seeing these two players play for the Vikings. I was thrilled when both were drafted but I was more thrilled when they left.

On eleven occasions, the Vikings made multiple picks in the first round. The success with those multiple picks is wide-ranging. There’s the high of selecting Clinton Jones, Gene Washington, and Alan Page in 1967. There’s the brutal low of selecting Troy Williamson and Erasmus James in 2005. I’m expecting last year’s first-round haul of J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner will be closer to that of 1967 than 2005. 

On nine occasions, the Vikings made no selections in the first round. Four of those were the rough draft years of 1989-92. The Vikings traded their 1989 first round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for linebacker Mike Merriweather. That was a good trade. The Vikings traded their 1990-92 first round picks, several other picks, and several players to the Dallas Cowboys for Herschel Walker. That was a bad trade. A very bad trade.  

As a youngster in California, I fell for the Vikings in the early 1970s. The first draft that I really remember following was the 1976 draft that brought James White (first round) and Sammy White (second round) to Minnesota. Thanks to the tremendous work during my formative years of Joel Buschbaum, Paul Zimmerman, and Mel Kiper I gradually started to understand and appreciate the football fun of the NFL Draft. I look forward to every round of every round but the first round, for obvious reasons, is always my favorite four hours of the NFL offseason. Especially those 15 minutes when the Minnesota Vikings are on the clock. 

17 NFL Draft Attendees

The NFL announced the 17 players that will be in Green Bay for the 2025 NFL Draft. 

Tyler Booker, G, Alabama

Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama

Will Campbell, OT, LSU

Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State

Jaxson Dart, QB, Mississippi

Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado

Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama

Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

Shamar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M

Cameron Ward, QB, Miami

Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia

Colorado quarterback Shadeur Sanders would’ve been among the 17 but stated long ago that he’d be skipping the event. He’s widely expected to be the second quarterback selected in the draft. Sanders could go anywhere from #2 to who knows where. One could assume that the wide range is the reason for the absence. Who knows? Maybe he just wants to keep his big day a family affair. 

Sanders’ absence probably opened the door for quarterbacks Jaxson Dart and Jalen Milroe to be invited. It’s all about the quarterbacks and a handful of teams could really use one. We’ll see if those teams find that quarterback in this draft. 

For me, the surprise of the 17 invites is the absence of the top tight ends. Penn State’s Ty Warren and Michigan’s Colston Loveland will probably be selected among the first 15 picks. As with Sanders, they probably wanted to keep their big day a personal and private one. 

Cam Ward should be the first player to leave Green Bay’s green room. Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter should immediately follow. Mason Graham and Will Campbell should also have short stays. 

The last to leave? I’m guessing Malaki Starks. That has more to do with the position he plays than the talent he has. For some reason, there’s many that still question the value of selecting a safety early in the draft. Safeties impact games. Maybe some day, these analytics clowns will realize that. 

Congratulations to the 17 players that will attend the 2025 NFL Draft. It’s a damn shame that it has to be in Green Bay. 

Minnesota Vikings Receivers

With two of the best pass-catchers in the league, the Minnesota Vikings receiver group is in fine shape as the team approaches the 2025 NFL Draft. Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are arguably the league’s best duo. Behind them are some players with intriguing potential.

Minnesota Vikings Receivers

Justin Jefferson

Jordan Addison

Jalen Nailor

Rondale Moore

Tim Jones

Lucky Jackson

Jeshaun Jones

Thayer Thomas

With six touchdowns, Jalen Nailor had a bit of a break out last season as a #3 threat. Rondale Moore and Tim Jones were free agent additions. Moore should bring some explosiveness to the Vikings offense. At about 5’7” and 180 lbs, he’s on the slight side but his speed and versatility will allow head coach Kevin O’Connell to get creative with his play-calling and scheming. As a rookie in 2022, Moore introduced himself to the Vikings in devastating fashion. In his second NFL game, he had seven catches for 114 yards. A large chunk of those yards came on a 77-yard touchdown. That sort of big play threat will work nicely in support of Jefferson and Addison. 

Many NFL pundits have spoken of receiver groups as similar to a basketball squad. Teams need a combination of sizes among their pass-catchers. They need small, quick receivers (guards). They need, bigger field-stretchers (forwards). They need even bigger, chain-movers (centers). The Vikings currently have the first two. They don’t really have any of the bigger receivers. Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are proficient at coming away with the ball in contested catch situations. Both are sturdy despite their slight-looking builds. Neither is considered a big receiver. None of the eight receivers currently on the roster is over 6’1”. I’ve wondered if Kevin O’Connell and the team’s decision-makers are interested in adding a bigger receiver. They do have a tight end in T.J. Hockenson that can fill that “big receiver” role. If that’s the team’s thinking, I get it. I believe that the Vikings could use a bigger receiver to round out their position group. There are a few of those in the draft.

Jayden Higgins, Iowa State: 6’4”

Tre Harris, Mississippi: 6’2”

Eric Ayomanor, Stanford: 6’2”

Tory Horton, Colorado State: 6’3”

Isaac TeSlaa, Arkansas: 6’4”

With their other draft needs, I don’t see the Vikings looking at receivers before Day 3. That would eliminate Jayden Higgins, Tre Harris, and Eric Ayomanor. Perhaps it’s his name, Isaac TeSlaa has emerged as a draft curiosity of mine. 

The Vikings have a good receiver group. With Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, the group may even be considered great. Jalen Nailor is a nice third receiver. Despite some injury concerns, Rondale Moore was an excellent free agent addition. He brings a lot of speed and versatility. He’s a threat to score whenever he has the ball in his hands and should have a “gadget” role. I see a need for a big pass-catcher. We’ll see if the Vikings see that as a need as well. 

Perhaps the most concerning tidbit regarding the Vikings 2025 receiver group is the possible/likely suspension of Jordan Addison for his off-the-field nonsense. Jalen Nailor stepped up when Addison was out early last season with injuries. I expect the same this season. Rondale Moore will help as well. Above all else, the Vikings have Justin Jefferson. He makes things right. 

Minnesota Vikings Dream Draft

The Minnesota Vikings hold only four picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. It’s difficult to dream big with only four picks. This is an attempt at a dreamy Vikings draft. It starts with addressing the team’s needs. Thanks to an aggressive offseason, the Vikings have few immediate needs. Several positions still need reinforcements. Here are a four of the most pressing.

Interior Offensive Line

Defensive Line

Cornerback

Safety

To address those needs, the Vikings have the following draft picks:

1st

3rd

5th

6th

That’s not a lot of draft picks. 

Using the positional rankings of The Athletic’s Dane Brugler in his “The Beast,” I’ve tried to put together the most optimistic combination of four players while addressing the above four positional needs. While it’d be so much nicer to have more than four draft picks, it’s convenient to have only four positions that stand out as needing reinforcements. So, here’s an attempt at a Minnesota Vikings Dream Draft. 

Using Brugler’s draft ranges, here are some of my favorites at each of the Vikings four picks:

1st

Grey Zabel, G, North Dakota State

Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State

Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon

Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan

Walter Nolan, DT, Mississippi

Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

Trey Amos, CB, Mississippi

Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina

Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State

Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

3rd

Jonah Savaiinaea, G, Arizona

Marcus Mbow, G, Purdue

Wyatt Milum, G, West Virginia

Alfred Collins, DT, Texas

T.J. Sanders, DT, South Carolina

Joshua Farmer, DT, Flordia State

Omar Norman-Lott, DT, Tennessee

Jordan Phillips, DT, Maryland

Jamaree Caldwell, DT, Oregon

Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky

Cam Jackson, DT, Florida State

Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame

Nohl Williams, CB, Cal

Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville

Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State

Kevin Winston Jr., S, Penn State

Andrew Mukuba, S, Texas

5th

Jalen Rivers, G, Miami

CJ West, DT, Indiana

J.J. Pegues, DT, Mississippi

Zy Alexander, CB, LSU

Mac McWilliams, CB, Central Florida

6th

Nazir Stackhouse, DT, Georgia

Cobee Bryant, CB, Kansas

Zah Frazier, CB, Texas-San Antonio

Sebastian Castro, S, Iowa

Craig Woodson, S, Cal

Now, I have to whittle the above players to the best combination of four at the assigned picks. 

1. Grey Zabel, G, North Dakota State

3. Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State

5. J.J. Pegues, DT, Mississippi

6. Craig Woodson, S, Cal

I see four eventual starters. Grey Zabel starts immediately at left guard and perhaps replaces Ryan Kelly at center in a couple years. Darien Porter could compete for a starting job as a rookie. J.J. Pegues enters a promising defensive line rotation and eventually replaces Javon Hargrave in the starting lineup. Craig Woodson could duplicate Cam Bynum’s route from Cal to Vikings starting safety. 

One can dream. 

Another Backup Quarterback Gone

The Minnesota Vikings could use a veteran backup quarterback. Despite being on the wrong side of 40 years of age, Joe Flacco has often been mentioned by pundits and fans as a contender for that spot. It would be a little fun to have a quarterback on the roster that was selected in the same draft as the head coach. Flacco is about a year older than Kevin O’Connell. Whether the Vikings even considered him for the backup job, Flacco is no longer an option. News arrived this morning that he’s signing with the Cleveland Browns. 

The hope is and will always be that J.J. McCarthy takes every meaningful snap this season and coming seasons. Whether for a mentorship role or whatever, it would be nice to have a veteran quarterback supporting McCathy. So, who could be that veteran quarterback. The following are available.

Carson Wentz

Ryan Tannehill

Drew Lock

Teddy Bridgewater

Desmond Ridder

Easton Stick

Josh Johnson

C.J. Beathard

Jeff Driskel

Tyler Huntley

It’s a fairly bleak list. In my opinion, Carson Wentz and Ryan Tannehill are the only options. Drew Lock is a distant third option. Teddy Bridgewater is a slightly more distant fourth option. Even when Flacco was available, I preferred Wentz and Tannehill. Of those two, I like Wentz. After spending the 2023 season in Sean McVay’s offense, he’d have a head start in adjusting to Kevin O’Connell’s offense. Tannehill was out of football last season. If the Vikings decision-makers are even considering Tannehill, I’m guessing that he’s a fallback option. If he’s their top choice, they could’ve signed him already without risking the compensatory pick formula. The Vikings are currently in line to be awarded two, and maybe three, compensatory picks next year. Any further free agent signings before the draft would probably remove one of those picks. The Vikings have put free agency on pause until after the draft. 

There’s also the possibility that the Vikings could go the trade route to find a veteran quarterback. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell went that route in the summer of 2022 when they acquired Nick Mullens before the start of the season. Perhaps the Vikings could pry Sam Howell from the Seattle Seahawks or Aidan O’Connell from the Las Vegas Raiders. Howell had some fun moments in 2023 with the Washington Commanders. I still might prefer Wentz to both. 

I believe that the team’s quarterback chaos in 2023 has everyone that cares about the Vikings on edge about the overly important position. The injury to Kirk Cousins triggered a quarterbacking carousel was mostly a nightmare to witness. Injuries will always be part of football. Hopefully, J.J. McCarthy got his injury history out of the way last season. Hopefully, he takes every meaningful snap moving forward. 

2025 NFL Draft: All 257 Picks

At times, it can be difficult to find the full draft order of an NFL Draft. Here are all 257 picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. The problem with this draft is too few of the picks belong to the Minnesota Vikings. 

*-Compensatory Pick

First Round

1. Tennessee
2. Cleveland
3. New York Giants
4. New England
5. Jacksonville
6. Las Vegas
7. New York Jets
8. Carolina
9. New Orleans
10. Chicago
11. San Francisco
12. Dallas
13. Miami
14. Indianapolis
15. Atlanta
16. Arizona
17. Cincinnati
18. Seattle
19. Tampa Bay
20. Denver
21. Pittsburgh
22. Los Angeles Chargers
23. Green Bay
24. Minnesota
25. Houston
26. Los Angeles Rams
27. Baltimore
28. Detroit
29. Washington
30. Buffalo
31. Kansas City
32. Philadelphia

Second Round

33. Cleveland
34. New York Giants
35. Tennessee
36. Jacksonville
37. Las Vegas
38. New England
39. Chicago (from Carolina)
40. New Orleans
41. Chicago
42. New York Jets
43. San Francisco
44. Dallas
45. Indianapolis
46. Atlanta
47. Arizona
48. Miami
49. Cincinnati
50. Seattle
51. Denver
52. Seattle (from Pittsburgh)
53. Tampa Bay
54. Green Bay
55. Los Angeles Chargers
56. Buffalo (from Minnesota through Houston)
57. Carolina (from Rams)
58. Houston
59. Baltimore
60. Detroit
61. Washington
62. Buffalo
63. Kansas City
64. Philadelphia

Third Round

65. New York Giants
66. Kansas City (from Tennessee)
67. Cleveland
68. Las Vegas
69. New England
70. Jacksonville
71. New Orleans
72. Chicago
73. New York Jets
74. Carolina
75. San Francisco
76. Dallas
77. New England (from Atlanta)
78. Arizona
79. Houston (from Washington through Miami and Philadelphia)
80. Indianapolis
81. Cincinnati
82. Seattle
83. Pittsburgh
84. Tampa Bay
85. Denver
86. Los Angeles Chargers
87. Green Bay
88. Jacksonville (from Minnesota)
89. Houston
90. Los Angeles Rams
91. Baltimore
92. Seattle (from Las Vegas through Detroit and New York Jets)
93. New Orleans (from Washington)
94.Cleveland (from Buffalo)
95. Kansas City
96. Philadelphia
97. Minnesota*
98. Miami*
99. New York Giants*
100. San Francisco*
101. Los Angeles Rams*
102. Detroit*

Fourth Round

103. Tennessee
104. Cleveland
105. New York Giants
106. New England
107. Jacksonville
108. Las Vegas
109. Buffalo (from Chicago)
110. New York Jets
111. Carolina
112. New Orleans
113. San Francisco
114. Carolina (from Dallas)
115. Arizona
116. Miami
117. Indianapolis
118. Atlanta
119. Cincinnati
120. Tennessee (from Seattle)
121. Tampa Bay
122. Denver
123. Pittsburgh
124. Green Bay
125. Los Angeles Chargers
126. Jacksonville (from Minnesota)
127. Los Angeles Rams
128. Washington (from Houston)
129. Baltimore
130. Detroit
131. New Orleans (from Washington)
132. Buffalo
133. Kansas City
134. Philadelphia
135. Miami*
136. Baltimore*
137. Seattle*
138. San Francisco*

Fifth Round

139. Minnesota (from Cleveland)
140. Carolina (from New York Giants)
141. Tennessee
142. Jacksonville
143. Las Vegas
144. New England
145. New York Jets
146. Carolina
147. San Francisco (from Washington through New Orleans)
148. Chicago
149. Dallas
150. Miami
151. Indianapolis
152. Arizona
153. Cincinnati
154. New York Giants (from Seattle)
155. Miami (from Denver)
156. Pittsburgh
157. Tampa Bay
158. Los Angeles Chargers
159. Green Bay
160. San Francisco (from Minnesota)
161. Philadelphia (from Houston)
162. New York Jets (from Los Angeles Rams through Pittsburgh)
163. Carolina (from Baltimore)
164. Philadelphia (from Cleveland through Detroit)
165. Philadelphia (from Washington)
166. Houston (from Buffalo)
167. Tennessee (from Kansas City)
168. Philadelphia
169. Buffalo*
170. Buffalo (from Dallas*)
171. New England
172. Seattle*
173. Buffalo*
174. Dallas*
175. Seattle*
176. Baltimore*

The 49ers forfeited their fifth-round pick because of a payroll accounting error from the 2022 league year. And the Falcons forfeited their 2025 fifth-round pick after violating the league’s anti-tampering policy in the past offseason.

Sixth Round

177. Buffalo (from New York Giants)
178. Tennessee
179. Cleveland
180. Las Vegas
181. Los Angeles Chargers (from New England)
182. Jacksonville
183. Baltimore (from Carolina)
184. New Orleans (reacquired through Washington)

185. Pittsburgh (from Seattle through Chicago)
186. New York Jets
187. Minnesota (from San Francisco)
188. Tennessee (from Dallas)
189. Indianapolis
190. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta)
191. Denver (from Arizona)
192. Cleveland (from Miami through Chicago)
193. Cincinnati
194. Jacksonville (from Seattle)
195. Los Angeles Rams (from Pittsburgh)
196. Detroit (from Tampa Bay)
197. Denver
198. Green Bay
199. Los Angeles Chargers
200. Cleveland (from Minnesota)
201. Los Angeles Rams
202. Los Angeles Rams (from Chicago through Houston and Pittsburgh)
203. Baltimore
204. Dallas (from Buffalo through Detroit and Cleveland)
205. Washington
206. Buffalo
207. New York Jets (from Kansas City)
208. Denver (from Philadelphia)
209. Los Angeles Chargers*
210. Baltimore*
211. Dallas*
212. Baltimore*
213. Las Vegas*
214. Los Angeles Chargers*
215. Las Vegas*
216. Cleveland*

Seventh Round

217. Dallas (from New England through Tennessee)
218. Atlanta (from Cleveland through Los Angeles Chargers)
219. New York Giants
220. New England
221. Jacksonville
222. Las Vegas
223. Seattle (from Pittsburgh through New Orleans and Philadelphia)
224. Miami (from Chicago)
225. Arizona (from New York Jets through Kansas City)
226. Kansas City (from Carolina)
227. San Francisco
228. Detroit (from Dallas)
229. Pittsburgh (from Atlanta through Philadelphia)
230. Carolina (from Arizona)
231. Miami
232. Indianapolis
233. Chicago (from Cincinnati)
234. Seattle
235. Tampa Bay
236. Houston (from Washington through Denver and Philadelphia)
237. Green Bay (from Pittsburgh)
238. New England (from Los Angeles Chargers)
239. Dallas (from Tennessee via Green Bay)
240. Chicago (from Minnesota through Cleveland)
241. Houston
242. Atlanta (from Los Angeles Rams)
243. Baltimore
244. Detroit
245. Washington
246. New York Giants (from Buffalo)
247. Dallas (from Kansas City through Carolina)
248. New Orleans (from Philadelphia through Washington)
249. San Francisco*
250. Green Bay*
251. Kansas City*
252. San Francisco*
253. Miami*
254. New Orleans*
255. Cleveland*
256. Los Angeles Chargers*
257. Kansas City*