The Ultimate Top 40 Vikings Draft Big Board

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Apr 24, 2025
Nov 23, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman Kenneth Grant (78) celebrates after sacking Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Jack Lausch (not pictured) in the first half at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings head into their annual NFL Draft with only four draft picks, but general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah can acquire a difference-maker with the 24th overall pick.

Vikings Territory’s Dustin Baker and PurplePTSD’s Janik Eckardt put on their best Kwesi hats and assembled a ranking of potential Vikings targets.

Excluded were the quarterbacks because that would be the most shocking move in decades, as well as players who have no chance at sliding even close to the 24th overall pick and are pretty universal top ten picks in mock drafts. That includes Travis Hunter, Abdul Carter, Will Campbell, Mason Graham, Ashton Jeanty, and Arnand Membou.

vikings draft
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: Michigan defensive back Will Johnson celebrates a touchdown after intercepting USC quarterback Miller Moss during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.

Baker and Eckardt want the Vikings to select the highest remaining player on this board, beginning with Michigan’s Will Johnson. Once he’s gone, the next available guy should be the target, and so on.

The Ultimate Top 40 Vikings Draft Big Board

  1. CB Will Johnson (Michigan)
  2. CB Jahdae Barron (Texas)
  3. DL Kenneth Grant (Michigan)
  4. DL Walter Nolen (Ole Miss)
  5. WR Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona)
  6. RB Omarion Hampton (North Carolina)
  7. OL Grey Zabel (NDSU)
  8. DL Derrick Harmon (Oregon)
  9. TE Tyler Warren (Penn State)
  10. OL Donovan Jackson (Ohio State)
  11. TE Colston Loveland (Michigan)
  12. CB Shavon Revel Jr. (East Carolina)
  13. S Malaki Starks (Georgia)
  14. OL Tyler Booker (Alabama)
  15. LB Jihaad Campbell (Alabama)
  16. RB TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State)
  17. WR Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State)
  18. OL Kelvin Banks Jr. (Texas)
  19. S Nick Emmanwori (South Carolina)
  20. CB Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame)
  21. DL Tyleik Williams (Ohio State)
  22. CB Trey Amos (Ole Miss)
  23. EDGE Jalon Walker (Georgia)
  24. CB Maxwell Hairston (Kentucky)
  25. DL Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M)
  26. DL Mykel Williams (Georgia)
  27. WR Matthew Golden (Texas)
  28. CB Azareye’h Thomas (Florida State)
  29. RB Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State)
  30. DL Nic Scourton (Texas A&M)
  31. EDGE Mike Green (Marshall)
  32. WR Luther Burden (Missouri)
  33. EDGE James Pearce Jr. (Tennessee)
  34. OL Josh Simmons (Ohio State)
  35. WR Jayden Higgins (Iowa State)
  36. OL Aireontae Ersery (Minnesota)
  37. TE Mason Taylor (LSU)
  38. S Xavier Watts (Notre Dame)
  39. DL Darius Alexander (Toledo)
  40. OL Josh Conerly Jr. (Oregon)

The Vikings enter the draft with picks 24, 97, 139, and 187.

There isn’t any glaring hole on the roster right now, which makes this draft hard to predict. Yet, as you can see in the rankings, cornerback and defensive tackle are two positions that could make sense for the Vikings.

Oct 12, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Omarion Hampton (28) with the ball as Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defensive back Warren Burrell (4) defends in the fourth quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Baker’s favorite player for the Vikings in this class is running back Hampton. He wrote on Wednesday, “Hampton is an utter beast. He could end up as a more productive NFLer than Dalvin Cook, the last organically drafted Vikings tailback who blossomed.” The North Carolina prospect combines speed, size, and playmaking ability and could be the long-term answer in the backfield.

Eckardt, meanwhile, has Michigan’s Johnson at the top of his list. The lockdown corner and J.J. McCarthy’s ex-teammate was pretty much locked in as a (borderline) top ten pick all year, but some injury concerns and the lack of pre-draft testing could lead to the necessary fall on Thursday.

Oct 19, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns cornerback Jahdae Barron (7) celebrates an interception in the first quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Patzke-Imagn Images

The top four players include two defensive linemen and two cornerbacks each. Both are valuable positions, and the Vikings lack an exciting young player at either spot.

After that, there’s a plethora of positions. Wideout McMillan could form a scary trio with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. The Vikings only employ two tight ends, and while most expect that to be a day-three item, why not add a great prospect like Tyler Warren instead? Baker’s sources confirm that Loveland could also be a guy to watch.

Safeties Emmanwori and Starks both rank in the teens, despite being popular mock draft guys. The Vikings could use a safety, but Eckardt and Baker believe this goal can be achieved later in the draft.

Jan 20, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Xavier Watts (0) tackles Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard (18) during the second half of the CFP National Championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Lower on the list are guys that would qualify as shocking, considering they either play at positions the Vikings don’t necessarily need or aren’t viewed that highly on anyone’s board.

The draft will kick off on Thursday, 7 p.m. CT. Minnesota isn’t expected to be on the clock until a few hours after that.

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