Don’t Rule Out a Splashy Vikings Move
The Minnesota Vikings addressed the offensive line in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Ohio State’s Donovan Jackson will wear the purple and gold in the upcoming season, which pretty much completes the offensive line overhaul.
Don’t Rule Out a Splashy Vikings Move
At this point, it’s hard to say there are any more holes or needs on offense besides some depth concerns that can be fixed later in the draft, with an undrafted rookie, or in free agency.
On defense, meanwhile, Brian Flores surely would like some more youth. A new safety could offset the Cam Bynum departure and prepare the franchise for an eventual Harrison Smith retirement. Many expected Minnesota to target a cornerback in the first round to upgrade on Isaiah Rodgers and Mekhi Blackmon in the long run, and the aging defensive line could benefit from a disciple waiting in the wings.
Unfortunately, GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah won’t pick until the 97th overall draft slot. But let’s not forget why there is this long break between draft picks. It’s because he traded up twice to get Dallas Turner. He’s a former Wall Street trader and loves to make deals.
So why not do it again to get a sure-fire starter at one of those aforementioned roster spots?
What Could a Deal Look Like?
The Minnesota Vikings don’t have any picks that could move the needle this year, but they could package the 97th overall pick with one from next year. Minnesota has already stolen two of next year’s late-rounders in deals for Cam Robinson and Jordan Mason.
However, they still have their organic picks from rounds one through three. Additionally, they expect to generate some value via compensatory picks. Sam Darnold’s departure should be worth a third-rounder similar to this year’s 97th pick for Kirk Cousins’ exit.
Either Cam Robinson signing with the Texans or Daniel Jones heading to Indianapolis should log another fourth or fifth-rounder.
Potentially, they could move picks 97 this year and next year’s second-rounder for the 50th overall pick this year, for the deal to be realistic in trade calculators. Seattle has picks 50 and 52, perhaps they are willing to part ways with one of those for future capital.
In this scenario, the Vikings would still have one first-rounder and two in the third in 2026, which isn’t too bad.
Players to Target
With their draft capital in 2025 and 2026, it would be tough to generate an early second-rounder in a trade, so plenty of players would fly off the board until the Vikings are within reach with the suggested deal.
However, at this point, potential first-rounders Will Johnson and Shavon Revel Jr. are still on the board. Both have some injury concerns, but if healthy, are phenomenal pickups. To an extent, Benjamin Morrison belongs to that group, too. Azareye’h Thomas and Trey Amos could also make sense and are projected as second-rounders. All five are cornerbacks.
At safety, Nick Emmanwori is still out there. He was a mock draft darling for the Vikings. Once he’s gone, the focus could shift towards Notre Dame’s Xavier Watts.
Darius Alexander and T.J. Sanders could solidify the future of the defensive line.
All of those guys are listed in the top 60 of Arif Hasan’s consensus big board and shouldn’t be available at 97. But at 50, the Vikings could get another immediate candidate for a starting job and definitely someone to rely on in the future.
Vikings Ended a Drought Older than Harrison Smith