7 Takeaways from the Vikings’ 2025 NFL Draft
The 2025 edition of the NFL Draft is now in the rearview mirror, and the Vikings found some intriguing players, including some early contributors. Only time will tell whether this draft class is one of the better or worse classes in franchise history.
7 Takeaways from the Vikings’ 2025 NFL Draft
Regardless, we’ve learned some things about the organization and the roster in the last few days.
1. More Emphasis on the Trenches
It’s been trenches, trenches, trenches this offseason. In free agency, the purple franchise signed Will Fries and Ryan Kelly to bolster the offensive line, and Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave were lured to the Twin Cities to bring juice to the interior defensive line.
In the draft, the 24th overall pick was not traded, and it was not used on a safety like countless mock drafts suggested. Instead, offensive guard Donovan Jackson joined.
His arrival completes the overhaul of the interior offensive line in an unprecedented turnaround.
2. Focus on Athleticism in the Mid-Rounds
Jackson is a solid athlete, but the next two draftees rank in the upper tier of athletic ability.
Tai Felton is a speedy wideout with 6-1 size and 4.37 speed. He is a little raw, but a year or two under the watch of WR coach Keenan McCardell could unlock something special.
The next pick was Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, a Georgia defender who played a rotational role on the stacked line. He is undersized for an interior defender but has the versatility to play everywhere on the line of scrimmage, which could bring a quickness mismatch for some interior blockers.
3. TE Room Is Suddenly Fine
Entering the draft, the Vikings had only two tight ends. Granted, those two are good players (T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver), but the unit still lacked three or more bodies.
Those arrived on Saturday. Sixth-rounder Gavin Bartholomew is another sneaky good athlete. Fellow tight end newcomers Ben Yurosek (Georgia) and Bryson Nesbit (North Carolina) were productive in college and could enter a competition with their drafted colleague.
It’s a five-man room now, and we can stop ringing the alarm button.
4. Ty Chandler Remains
The Vikings didn’t select a running back during the draft, and the only new rusher is undrafted rookie Tre Stewart out of Jacksonville State. He was productive in the Conference USA with 26 touchdowns last year alone, but his pass-catching ability is shaky, and so is his pass protection.
Fourth-year player Ty Chandler remains in the third spot on the depth chart, and his only competition at this point is a UDFA and last year’s practice squad runner, Zavier Scott.
5. Young Corners Have a Chance
A similar story happened at cornerback. Many expected a corner to be drafted at some point, but the Vikings skipped the position entirely and only added a couple of UDFAs to the mix.
That opens the door for last year’s undrafted rookie Dwight McGlothern to continue his rise. He was on the 53-man team all season following a strong preseason, and he could make some noise going forward.
Mekhi Blackmon is another name to watch. He missed his sophomore season due to a torn ACL but is now expected to have a significant role, barring another move.
6. It’s Theo Jackson’s Job
The Vikings said no thanks to Nick Emmanwori and Malaki Starks, bringing over Donovan Jackson instead.
That means Theo Jackson, who re-signed prior to free agency, is now the third safety behind Harrison Smith and Josh Metellus with a prime chance to step into Cam Bynum’s vacant role.
Minnesota’s decision-makers haven’t been shy about praising the defender, and now is his time to capitalize.
7. UDFAs Remain a Staple
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was hired in 2022, and ever since, the Vikings have invested in their UDFA classes. Logan Brown (Kansas) was viewed as one of the premier undrafted rookies in this class, and so was Minnesota’s quarterback Max Brosmer.
Numerous undrafted rookies have a shot to make the roster and are worth keeping an eye on throughout the offseason and especially in the preseason.
Kwesi Says Vikings’ Late-Round Rookie Has Starter Potential