Vikings Mock Draft: Going Full Tilt to Trade a Ton
Recently, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah passed along a quick quip about being able to push his pick total up to fifteen if he so desired (something the Vikings actually did back in 2020). Now, the GM isn’t going to do that — or, at least, I don’t think he will — but there’s a good chance that Minnesota begins with four draft selections but ends with five, six, or seven (maybe more).
To that end, I decided to push for trades in a Vikings mock draft. Using the PFF mock draft simulator, I conducted a full seven-round mock draft with the aim of orchestrating a trade early and often. The goal was to step away with a huge haul, addressing various roster spots by ratcheting up the competition at positions across the roster. Consider how things worked out.
Vikings Mock Draft: A Trade Bonanza
Before moving too far, first consider what Minnesota is working with.
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is moving into the 2025 NFL Draft as the proud owner of No. 24 (1st), No. 97 (3rd), No. 139 (5th), and No. 187 (6th). The most valuable selection, obviously, is that top one: the No. 24 selection that could get cashed in for a few picks. Trading down is a common theory in the world of Vikings analysis, and it’s a path I was committed to pursuing before jumping into the mock.
Let’s see what how things shake out.
As painful as the option would be, the most lucrative offer on the table was to trade back with the New York Jets, dropping all the way back to No. 42. We’re talking about forfeiting not just a position in the 1st Round but missing out on the very top of the 2nd, as well. Painful, but potentially beneficial if the goal is to get a lot of picks.
In exchange for No. 24, I picked up No. 42, No. 73, No. 145, and No. 162.
Worth it? Truth be told, I don’t know, but there’s a lot more picks to work with now. Don’t forget that Adofo-Mensah has a history of being bold, losing twenty draft spots in the opening round of the 2022 NFL Draft, going from No. 12 to No 32. Even more shocking was that the trade partner was the Lions. The GM, in short, is willing to be bold.
I then turned No. 73 into No. 75 and No. 138 (courtesy of a deal with San Francisco), further amplifying the amount of draft picks for Adofo-Mensah to work with in this hypothetical scenario.
For good measure, I then conducted another trade, sending over No. 162 in exchange for No. 191 and No. 208 (shout out to Denver for doing business).
Full disclosure: I did leave some trade calls unanswered, but the goal was largely accomplished. What began as just four draft picks ended up being nine selections.
Consider the Vikings mock draft result and who Kwesi Adofo-Mensah — the fake one played by yours truly — snagged:
- No. 42 — Maxwell Hairston, Corner
- No. 75 — Donovan Jackson, Offensive Tackle
- No. 97 — Deone Walker, Defensive Tackle
- No. 138 — Mitchell Evans, Tight End
- No. 139 — Benjamin Yurosek, Tight End
- No. 145 — Trevor Etienne, Running Back
- No. 187 — Dont’e Thornton Jr., Wide Receiver
- No. 191 — KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Wide Receiver
- No. 208 — Denzel Burke, Corner
A quick word.
Look around at NFL mocks and Hairston has been connected to the Vikings a time or two. So, landing him in the 2nd could be a realistic outcome, one that receives applause. As things went on, I drafted mostly for positional need. Adding o-line depth, a defensive tackle, more tight ends, some receiver talent, and a runner seems like a realistic path forward for the Vikings. Oh, and one more corner can’t hurt, either.
The 2025 NFL Draft begins on April 24th and will end on April 26th.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference and PFF helped with this piece.
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah Teases Potential 2025 NFL Draft Strategy
K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on social media (Bluesky & Twitter). If you feel so inclined, subscribe to his Substack, The Vikings Gazette, for more great Vikings content.