Bane 2.0 – 2025 Vikings Mock Draft: The Stick And Pick
It’s time for another go at predicting what our beloved purple team will do in less than two weeks during the 2025 NFL Draft.
In the Bane 1.0, the major move I projected was the Vikings trading out of the first round in a deal with the New York Giants, in which Minnesota selected Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts. In this edition, however, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah fights off the voices in his head to make a trade, and the Vikings stick and pick at 24th overall.
Check out the Bane 1.0 here.
Round 1, Pick 24 – DI Derrick Harmon, Oregon
- Height: 6’4″
- Weight: 313lbs
- 21 Years Old
- PFF Big Board Rank: 30
- 83.9 PFF Defensive Grade (10th among DIs in the nation)
- 77.4 PFF Run Defense Grade (82nd among DIs in the nation)
- 88.8 PFF Pass Rushing Grade (3rd among DIs in the nation)
- 4 sacks, 6 QB hits, 39 QB hurries, 20 defensive stops in 2024
This is a popular and true prediction of where the Vikings will go at selection at 24 if they truly are to stick and pick. Across our network, we’ve said a lot about Harmon, and I even wrote up a full draft profile on the Oregon defender.
In short, Harmon is a force in the middle of the defensive line that can cause a lot of havoc and would slot in beautifully anywhere across the line and provide some easier opportunities on the outside for Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Dallas Turner.
Round 3, Pick 97 – TE Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green
- Height: 6’4″
- Weight: 230lbs
- PFF Big Board Rank: 103
- 20 Years Old
- 95.7 PFF Offensive Grade (1st among TEs in the nation)
- 96.0 PFF Receiving Grade (1st among TEs in the nation)
- 90.0 PFF Drop Grade (4th among TEs in the nation)
- 100 receptions, 1,342yds, 9 TDs (all 1st among TEs in nation) in 2024
The Vikings have a need for a TE3, which could eventually lead to a need for a TE2 after the expiration of Josh Oliver’s contract.
And, well, Harold Fannin Jr. is exciting. He’s about as legitimate of a receiving tight end as any in the last couple of drafts, and he is completely flying under the radar because he is a bit undersized and he played for Bowling Green. He is not a blocker whatsoever, but his receiving upside is unreal. The kid could get a legit run at slot receiver in the Vikings’ offense.
Round 5, Pick 139 – R.J. Mickens, Clemson
- Height: 6’0″
- Weight: 210lbs
- 23 Years Old
- PFF Big Board Rank: 108
- 86.6 PFF Defensive Grade (15th among safeties in the nation)
- 89.1 PFF Pass Coverage Grade (15th among safeties in the nation)
- 73.5 PFF Run Defense Grade (181st among safeties in the nation)
- 2 INTs, 5 PBUs, 57.1 passer rating allowed in 2024
Mickens doesn’t exactly project as a single-high safety over a long allotment of snaps, but his versatility to play at second and third levels of the defense would be a welcome addition to a Brian Flores scheme. If nothing else, he could see legitimate time as a high-quality special teamer just based on his football intellect and natural football abilities.
Round 7, Pick 218 (via ATL) – RB Raheim Sanders, South Carolina
- Height: 6’0
- Weight: 217lbs
- Turns 23 in June 2025
- PFF Big Board Rank: 264
- 81.2 PFF Offensive Grade (62nd among RBs in the nation)
- 86.1 PFF Rushing Grade (36th among RBs in the nation)
- 111 Zone Rushing Attempts in 2024 (28th among RBs in the nation)
- 210 touches, 1,212 total yards, 11 TDs in 2024
Trade!
- Vikings send Pick 187 to the Falcons for Picks 218 and 242, as well as a 2027 7th Round Pick.
I really squeezed every drop I could out of the Falcons front office, and PFF’s Mock Draft Simulator trade algorithm was cool with it.
I actually had the Vikings taking Sanders in the 1.0 edition of this mock draft series as well, albeit 29 picks earlier.
“The Vikings may have retained Aaron Jones and traded for Jordan Mason, but that doesn’t stop them from going after a potential back of the future in Sanders. Sanders was an effective zone-scheme running back throughout college, which is the style of running the Vikings prefer. He could be a perfect replacement for Aaron Jones, who will be 31 in December.”
Round 7, Pick 242 – WR Andrew Armstrong, Arkansas
- Height: 6’4
- Weight: 202lbs
- 25 Y/O in October 2025
- PFF Big Board Rank: 176
- 89.1 PFF Offensive Grade (5th among WRs in the nation)
- 89.4 PFF Receiving Grade (3rd among WRs in the nation)
- 81.1 PFF Drop Grade (129th among WRs in the nation)
- 78 receptions, 1,140yds, 1 TD in 2024
The Vikings take a flyer on a big-body receiver who was one of the most efficient receivers in college football in 2024. Minnesota has been lacking a true “go up and get it” receiver for a long time now, and Armstrong could come in and compete to make the roster as the last receiver on the roster right out of the gate in a room with the depth past Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison of an okay-ish Jalen Nailor and injury-riddled Rondale Moore.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF helped with this article.
Can Rondale Moore Seize the Vikings’ WR3 Role?