The Vikings’ Trade Trend that Fizzled Out in 2025
The Vikings’ trade habits, especially since Kwesi Adofo-Mensah took over, have been a source of much fascination for fan and writer alike (PurplePTSD tracks them all, but do note that we have yet to update things based off what occurred in the draft).
Going into the 2025 NFL Draft, the GM had put together eleven trades during his previous trio of drafts. The number bumps up to a dozen if we include the trade with Houston to snag that extra 1st that occurred in March of 2024 (eventually being used to move up for Dallas Turner). The total is now sitting at fifteen draft trades after doing three deals in 2025. A notable detail is simply that for the first time, Adofo-Mensah didn’t pull off a trade up the board.
The Vikings’ Trade Trends & The 2025 NFL Draft
There were some rumblings — plenty of rumblings, in fact — about the Vikings moving down, but the decision was to hold onto the No. 24 pick. Left guard Donovan Jackson was simply too promising to overlook.
Before long, though, the GM got back to his trading ways.
The Vikings were scheduled to snag someone at No. 97, but Adofo-Mensah opted to drop down to No. 102. The benefit to Minnesota was being able to turn their No. 187 pick into the No. 142 pick. Not a bad bit of business, all things considered (credit to the Vikings’ website for offering a helpful summary of all the trading). Now, in a sense, there’s a move up given that No. 187 turned into No. 142, but I think we can still press the point that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah had his Vikings going in a specific direction: down.
Minnesota then opted to hold onto the No. 139 pick, snagging defensive tackle Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins.
At No. 142, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah finally gave Vikings fans what they’ve long desired: a more accomplished QB2. Seattle sent over Sam Howell alongside No. 172 (shout out to The Athletic’s Alec Lewis for being on top of the news). In other words, the Vikings got a young backup passer alongside a late 5th for the high 5th. Again, a pretty tidy bit of business.
Finally, there was the trade with the Rams.
In exchange for No. 172, the Vikings picked up No. 201 and No. 202. Those selections ended up getting sunk into linebacker Kobe King and tight end Gavin Bartholomew. So, a bit of added depth at positions that could use the extra help (especially TE, a position that only had two players before picking up Bartholomew).
At the end of the day, the point of the NFL Draft is not to be the most prolific trader. Rather, it’s to select excellent football players who will prove capable of pushing the Vikings toward a goal they’ve yet to accomplish: winning the elusive Lombardi Trophy.
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, by all accounts, is still someone who is willing to trade. Do note, though, that his trades have declined from the high point that was the 2022 NFL Draft. Also worth mentioning, too, that he demonstrated great patience in 2025, dropping down consistently without moving up.
Vikings’ Bitter Foe Ends 23-Year-Long Draft Drought During First Round
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 Twitter and Bluesky (@VikingsGazette). If you feel so inclined, subscribe to his Substack, The Vikings Gazette, for more great Vikings content.