Vikings Rumors: Extra ’25 Draft Pick, Trio of Extension Candidates, and Dead Money
As we enter the portion of the year when Vikings rumors start heating up, we’ll be highlighting some of the purple rumblings.
The “Vikings Rumor Wrangle” is a series that keeps readers informed on what’s being whispered about in Vikings Land. In this iteration, we discuss Kwesi Adofo-Mensah possibly snagging another 2025 draft pick, Minnesota needing to work through their extension candidates list, and the dead money not being nearly as cumbersome as last year.
Vikings Rumors: 03.26.2025
Rumor #1 — The Vikings Could Dip Into Their 2026 Picks to Add a 2025 Pick
Certainly possible. In fact, there’s a precedent for doing so.
Rewind to 2022 in what will go down as one of the worst drafts in Vikings history. Corner Akayleb Evans was tumbling down the board and Minnesota was hard at work with their effort to rebuild the secondary. Snagging No. 118 — the draft pick that got sunk into Mr. Evans — required Minnesota to hand over a pick in ’22 (No. 156) alongside a pick in ’23 (No. 126).
One wonders if something similar could occur at the end of April. Or, perhaps, could there even be a brand new pick that’s added without any draft capital from 2025 at all. Doing so would boost the number from four draft picks to five.
Right now, the Vikings are sitting on a good haul of draft picks in 2026. Seeing all of that talent depart in free agency means Minnesota is looking at adding a pair of compensatory picks. Maybe that future abundance prompts Adofo-Mensah to address a present-day scarcity, dipping into the 2026 war chest to help out in 2025.
Rumor #2 — The Vikings Have (At Least) a Trio of Extension Candidates
Put right tackle Brian O’Neill to the side, at least for now. Who else comes to mind for an extension? Consider a trio of names:
- Edge Rusher Andrew Van Ginkel
- Tight End Josh Oliver
- Safety Josh Metellus
Recently, Janik Eckardt discussed the Andrew Van Ginkel issue (check it out if you haven’t already). The basics of the argument: Van Ginkel came to Minnesota and promptly earned a second-team All Pro honor alongside finishing 7th in Defensive Player of the Year voting. He was sensational, piling up 79 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 18 tackles for loss, and 2 interceptions. Oh, and those interceptions went for touchdowns. Playing on the final year of his deal, Andrew Van Ginkel should get a meaty raise, especially when we remember that he’s working on a contract that’s averaging just $10 million per season.
Meanwhile, Oliver is one of Minnesota’s two tight ends. Still only 28, Oliver offers some excellent blocking from within an offense that’s well known for high-end skill. Being able to make a difference without demanding the ball a ton is what this offense needs, so seeing him retained won’t be at all surprising.
And then one thinks of Mr. Metellus, a defender who is smart, hard working, and who is a great leader. He was signed to a value deal prior to breaking out. Time for the GM to go back to the negotiation table to give Metellus the money that’s deserved.
Look for these items to get sorted out during the summer months.
Rumor #3 — The Vikings’ Lack of Dead Money is Helping to Fund the FA Spending
Go ahead and ask Spotrac about the situation confronting the Vikings in 2024. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was working through a monstrous dead money pile that eclipsed $70 million. Yes, Kirk Cousins’ deal left behind a pile of immobilized money but so, too, did players like Danielle Hunter, Marcus Davenport, Lewis Cine, and several others contribute to the issue.
Fast forward into 2025 and where’s the dead money? Just $11,113,363. Quite the difference.
The Vikings have aggressively addressed weaknesses on the roster, most prominently in the additions of center Ryan Kelly, right guard Will Fries, defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave. So, too, did they spend some major money at corner — Byron Murphy Jr. & Isaiah Rodgers — as well as some decent cash at running back — Aaron Jones & Jordan Mason. Even after all of that work, Minnesota sits on roughly $30 million in cap space (but with some uncertainty surrounding the precise details for certain deals).
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
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.
