Looking Ahead, 2025 Might Be Slim Pickings for the Vikings in the Draft
Josh Frey
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The Minnesota Vikings had a very eventful weekend in the 2024 NFL Draft.
They made seven selections throughout the weekend, and amongst those picks, they landed a potential QB of the future in J.J. McCarthy as well as another cornerstone for their defense in Dallas Turner.
While this year’s draft class could go down as a historic one for the Vikings, the 2025 NFL Draft could be slim pickings for Minnesota.
2025 Could Be a Very Small Draft Class for the Vikings
As things currently stand, Minnesota has just three selections in the 2025 NFL Draft. Of course, they were able to retain their first-round pick despite some rumblings that they may have to send it in a QB package this spring. Fortunately, that did not happen as the Vikings ultimately only needed to move up a single spot in order to take J.J. McCarthy.
Minnesota did send away both of their Day 2 selections, though. Their second-round pick was used in a trade to acquire the No. 23 overall pick from the Houston Texans. Then, they sent their third-round pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars in order to move up from 23 to 17 and select Turner.
Moving further down the board, Minnesota also included their fourth-round pick in the trade with Jacksonville, and they sent their picks in the sixth and seventh rounds in a trade with the Cleveland Browns that sent Za’Darius Smith to the AFC North.
So, the Vikings hold their first-rounder, and two fifth-rounders for next spring (their own and Cleveland’s). It’s not exactly a treasure trove of assets, but that doesn’t mean the Vikings are done building their roster for the future.
We also have to keep in mind that the Vikings are projected to receive a third-round compensatory pick because of the departure of Kirk Cousins in free agency this year. That could result in another top-100 pick for Minnesota at the backend of Day 2.
Additionally, the Vikings could swing a couple trades between now and next April in order to recoup some more assets. Minnesota currently employs four quarterbacks on their roster, so it would make sense that one of Jaren Hall or Nick Mullens are dealt before the 2024 season begins. 2022 top picks Lewis Cine or Andrew Booth could be on the trade docket as well with Minnesota bringing in some additional depth to their secondary this offseason.
Perhaps the most important piece of this puzzle, though, is the fact that Minnesota is slated to be amongst the league leaders in cap space next offseason. As things currently stand, the Vikings are projected to have a tad over $102 million to spend next spring, according to Over the Cap. They are one of four teams projected to hold $100 million or more.
Of course, a chunk of that cap space ultimately will go towards a Justin Jefferson extension, and Christian Darrisaw’s fifth-year option. However, Minnesota should still have a pretty large surplus of cash to spend when free agency rolls around next March. It could result in more of a focus on bringing in solidified veteran pieces rather than young players in the draft.
The draft certainly could be quieter for the Vikings in 2025, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t more fireworks to come from Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
Editor’s Note: Information from Over the Cap helped with this article.
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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.