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The Minnesota Vikings entered the 2025 off-season with question marks at the interior offensive and defensive lines, secondary, and running back. After one week of free agency, they've aggressively addressed each of these needs.
That gives the Vikings plenty of flexibility heading into next month's draft, even though they only have four picks. The position groups above could still be addressed, but the need to address any one need has dwindled.
So even though the Vikings are slated with the 24th pick, they could be open to trading down when they're on the clock, potentially out of the first round altogether. That would give them additional draft capital, as their only other current picks in the third round (97), fifth round (139), and sixth round (187). Doing so could add young depth to a roster set up for a deep playoff run in 2025.
We earn a handful of extra picks with three trade-backs as Kwesi Adofo-Mensah remains busy through all three days of the draft.
The Chiefs have made it a point to trade up and get ahead of other AFC rivals, especially the Buffalo Bills. They do that again in this mock draft exercise, and in the process, they help out the Vikings. They come into this draft with just four picks but they now pick up an here while moving up in round three in the process.
Darius Alexander definitely has some developing to do, but that is what makes the Vikings perfect for him. Being alongside the likes of Harrison Phillips, Javon Hargave, and Jonathan Allen will be the perfect spot. He can be used in select packages in both run and pass rush situations.
This Vikings trade back once again nets them some extra fire power in the form of an extra third round pick. This gives them three picks in the top 89 selections compared to two picks in the first 97 that they came into this with. And yes, the Vikings send away a 2026 pick but let's see what they can do about that later in the mock.
Kevin Winston Jr. got some good news this past week in regards to his health, but his stock remains on rocky ground. The Vikings will miss Camryn Bynum's playmaking ability, but Winston Jr. could be a suitable replacement for it. He simply has a knack for finding the ball and making plays on it one way or another, the same way Bynum did.
Blake Brandel remains the lone question mark regarding the Vikings' offensive line. I have been a believer in Ratledge since last Summer, and that belief has remained steadfast. I think he could have a strong chance to beat out Brandel for the starting job and become a building block for the Vikings' offensive line.
Quincy Riley is a physical cornerback who fits right into the mold of what Brian Flores looks for in a young talent at the position. The Vikings' secondary needs some youth infusion, and Riley isn't a bad addition by any means. Riley learning from Flores and Byron Murphy Jr. could have him becoming a reliable option in as early as year two.
We are going to recap all these picks once this mock is finished, but Kwesi Adofo-Mensah needs to be more aware of the versatility of dealing and gaining future picks. This 2025 Vikings team is going to be one of the more complete rosters in the league. While they used a lot of their 2025 picks to trade up for fundamental pieces, the 2026 draft is going to prove more important than ever for this roster and the way it is built. Having the extra picks will be nice this time next year.
Drafting Darius Alexander in round one and signing Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen make this more of a luxury pick. I think Jackson needs a lot of development, but I like him getting stashed alongside Levi Drake Rodriguez and Jalen Redmond a lot. The Vikings' defensive front has quietly become one of their better groups, but it is very reliant on veterans. The young corps getting a run stuffer like Jackson added to the pass-rushing types of Redmond and Rodriguez has me smiling from ear to ear if I am the Vikings.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Vikings make three trades as Kwesi Adofo-Mensah dominates the board
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That gives the Vikings plenty of flexibility heading into next month's draft, even though they only have four picks. The position groups above could still be addressed, but the need to address any one need has dwindled.
So even though the Vikings are slated with the 24th pick, they could be open to trading down when they're on the clock, potentially out of the first round altogether. That would give them additional draft capital, as their only other current picks in the third round (97), fifth round (139), and sixth round (187). Doing so could add young depth to a roster set up for a deep playoff run in 2025.
We earn a handful of extra picks with three trade-backs as Kwesi Adofo-Mensah remains busy through all three days of the draft.
Trade 1: Vikings send the 24th and 97th overall picks to the Chiefs for the 31st, 66th, and 133rd overall picks in the 2025 NFL Draft
The Chiefs have made it a point to trade up and get ahead of other AFC rivals, especially the Buffalo Bills. They do that again in this mock draft exercise, and in the process, they help out the Vikings. They come into this draft with just four picks but they now pick up an here while moving up in round three in the process.
Round 1, Pick 31: Darius Alexander, DL, Toledo
Darius Alexander definitely has some developing to do, but that is what makes the Vikings perfect for him. Being alongside the likes of Harrison Phillips, Javon Hargave, and Jonathan Allen will be the perfect spot. He can be used in select packages in both run and pass rush situations.
Trade 2: Vikings send the 66th and 133rd overall picks in the 2025 NFL Draft and a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Texans for the 79th and 89th overall picks in the 2025 NFL Draft
This Vikings trade back once again nets them some extra fire power in the form of an extra third round pick. This gives them three picks in the top 89 selections compared to two picks in the first 97 that they came into this with. And yes, the Vikings send away a 2026 pick but let's see what they can do about that later in the mock.
Round 3, Pick 79: Kevin Winston Jr., SAF, Penn State
Kevin Winston Jr. got some good news this past week in regards to his health, but his stock remains on rocky ground. The Vikings will miss Camryn Bynum's playmaking ability, but Winston Jr. could be a suitable replacement for it. He simply has a knack for finding the ball and making plays on it one way or another, the same way Bynum did.
Round 3, Pick 89: Tate Ratledge, G, Georgia
Blake Brandel remains the lone question mark regarding the Vikings' offensive line. I have been a believer in Ratledge since last Summer, and that belief has remained steadfast. I think he could have a strong chance to beat out Brandel for the starting job and become a building block for the Vikings' offensive line.
Round 5, Pick 139: Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville
Quincy Riley is a physical cornerback who fits right into the mold of what Brian Flores looks for in a young talent at the position. The Vikings' secondary needs some youth infusion, and Riley isn't a bad addition by any means. Riley learning from Flores and Byron Murphy Jr. could have him becoming a reliable option in as early as year two.
Trade 3: Vikings send the 187th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and a 2026 seventh-round pick to the Jets for the 207th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and a 2026 fifth-round pick
We are going to recap all these picks once this mock is finished, but Kwesi Adofo-Mensah needs to be more aware of the versatility of dealing and gaining future picks. This 2025 Vikings team is going to be one of the more complete rosters in the league. While they used a lot of their 2025 picks to trade up for fundamental pieces, the 2026 draft is going to prove more important than ever for this roster and the way it is built. Having the extra picks will be nice this time next year.
Round 6, Pick 207: Cam Jackson, DL, Florida
Drafting Darius Alexander in round one and signing Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen make this more of a luxury pick. I think Jackson needs a lot of development, but I like him getting stashed alongside Levi Drake Rodriguez and Jalen Redmond a lot. The Vikings' defensive front has quietly become one of their better groups, but it is very reliant on veterans. The young corps getting a run stuffer like Jackson added to the pass-rushing types of Redmond and Rodriguez has me smiling from ear to ear if I am the Vikings.
Updated 2026 Vikings Draft Picks following Mock Draft Trades
- 2026 first-round pick
- 2026 second-round pick
- 2026 third-round pick
- 2026 fourth-round pick
- 2026 fifth-round pick
- 2026 fifth-round pick (via NYJ)
- 2026 sixth-round pick
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Vikings make three trades as Kwesi Adofo-Mensah dominates the board
Continue reading...
