Happy Vikings Draft Day! Here’s Everything You Need to Know.
We’ve finally reached Draft Day, the other major event of the NFL offseason after free agency. Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah hopes to find some contributors for his football team.
Happy Vikings Draft Day! Here’s Everything You Need to Know.
The first round is scheduled for Thursday, April 24th, beginning at 7 p.m. CT, rounds two and three will take place on Friday, the first team is on the clock at 6 p.m. CT, and the remaining rounds four through seven will take place on Saturday, 11 a.m. CT.
All of that will happen in Green Bay, where the Vikings haven’t lost a game since the 2022 season.
1. Vikings Draft Picks
The Minnesota Vikings enter the draft with only four picks, which would be the smallest class in franchise history.
- 1st round – 24th overall
- 3rd round – 97th overall
- 5th round – 139th overall
- 6th round – 187th overall
Where did the remaining picks go? GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah loves to trade, and he shipped some picks to Jacksonville to move up last year for a chance to grab Dallas Turner. Two selections headed to Cleveland in 2023, along with Za’Darius Smith in exchange for a pick last year and the 139th slot in 2025.
Another fifth-rounder turned into pick 187 in the sixth in the deal that brought running back Jordan Mason to the Twin Cities.
The one way to get some more draft capital is via trade. Swapping pick 24 for a lower choice and a couple of extra picks could make sense and is a popular strategy among Vikings fans.
In addition to that, the Vikings have emphasized signing premium undrafted rookies by opening the checkbook. That’s how Ivan Pace Jr. was acquired, and it’s a sneaky way to sweeten the draft class.
2. What Do the Vikings Need?
The Vikings have done a wonderful job in free agency. Adofo-Mensah has addressed the roster needs and vacancies, filling them with at least serviceable short-term solutions, which is why the club can avoid drafting for need but actually acquire the best player on the board at numerous positions.
Popular first-round draft picks in mock drafts bolster the defensive line, where the Vikings have starters, but all of them are 29 or older. Adding youth makes sense. Along the offensive line, the franchise has swapped two interior blockers; a third could complete the overhaul.
In the secondary, the Vikings lost Cam Bynum in free agency, and Harrison Smith is 36 years old. Adding a safety would be reasonable, too. And, as always, finding a long-term cornerback answer would go a long way to building a Super Bowl roster.
Later in the draft, every position is possible. The Vikings only employ two tight ends and two quarterbacks. A third running back could be on Kevin O’Connell’s wishlist, just like another wideout. Even a punter can’t be ruled out.
3. Who Could They Draft?
Because there’s no sure-fire need and a trade is possible, it’s hard to predict Minnesota’s pick, but here are some names that have been linked to the Vikings at the four most likely positions.
Defensive line:
- Darius Alexander (Toledo)
- Kenneth Grant (Michigan)
- Derrick Harmon (Oregon)
- Walter Nolen (Ole Miss)
- Tyleik Williams (Ohio State)
Offensive Line:
- Tyler Booker (Alabama)
- Donovan Jackson (Ohio State)
- Grey Zabel (NDSU)
Safety:
- Nick Emmanwori (South Carolina)
- Malaki Starks (Georgia)
- Xavier Watts (Notre Dame)
Cornerback:
- Trey Amos (Ole Miss)
- Jahdae Barron (Texas)
- Maxwell Hairston (Kentucky)
- Will Johnson (Michigan)
- Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame)
- Shavon Revel Jr. (East Carolina)
- Azareye’h Thomas (Florida State)
4. Where Can I Get More Draft Info?
The entire PurplePTSD crew has delivered a ton of reading material this offseason. Draft-specific stuff can be found in the section 2025 NFL Draft.
If that’s not enough, check with our friends from VikingsTerritory. Here’s their draft work.
Of course, both squads will drop the latest news as soon as possible throughout the next few days.