- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 417,756
- Reaction score
- 43
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.
Projected trade: Vikings send the Jets the 24th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft in exchange for the 42nd and 110th overall picks in the 2025 NFL Draft and QB Tyrod Taylor.
Maxwell Hairston is a twitchy, rangy cornerback who makes big-time plays by finding the ball repeatedly. The Vikings could pair him on the outside opposite Byron Murphy Jr., giving them two reliable cornerbacks for Brian Flores.
Wyatt Milum isn't a position of need, but he is a more tactical pick for the Vikings. Blake Brandel seems to be sticking around despite the interior offensive line revamp. Milum can put pressure on Brandel and also be a long-term play for the Vikings at the last remaining question mark within the offensive line.
The Vikings found a diamond in Blake Cashman last year in free agency but he has played only one full-year during his NFL career. Ivan Pace Jr. is still around but bringing in competition for him and depth at the position with Bassa makes a lot of sense.
Huzzie would be a fun, athletic piece of depth for the Vikings cornerback room in 2025 and beyond. Brian Flores would be able to use him in certain packages while he develops and potentially turns into a reliable option within their defense in the coming years.
The Vikings have shown how important a deep wide receiver group can be for them. They value players who can separate with clean footwork and good route running. That is Kyle Williams. Jalen Nailor has shown he can be a playmaker behind Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson, but adding a fourth receiver for J.J. McCarthy doesn't hurt here.
Jalin Conyers is a fun, dynamic playmaker at the tight end position. Obviously, the Vikings will rely on T.J. Hockenson but they go two or three deep at the position. He could take the Nick Muse role with the potential of earning more reps from Josh Oliver as a long-term play.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: NFL Mock Draft: Vikings trade back and acquire a QB in the process
Continue reading...
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.
Round 2, Pick 42: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
Projected trade: Vikings send the Jets the 24th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft in exchange for the 42nd and 110th overall picks in the 2025 NFL Draft and QB Tyrod Taylor.
Maxwell Hairston is a twitchy, rangy cornerback who makes big-time plays by finding the ball repeatedly. The Vikings could pair him on the outside opposite Byron Murphy Jr., giving them two reliable cornerbacks for Brian Flores.
Round 3, Pick 97: Wyatt Milum, OL, West Virginia
Wyatt Milum isn't a position of need, but he is a more tactical pick for the Vikings. Blake Brandel seems to be sticking around despite the interior offensive line revamp. Milum can put pressure on Brandel and also be a long-term play for the Vikings at the last remaining question mark within the offensive line.
Round 4, Pick 110: Jeffrey Bassa, LB, Oregon
The Vikings found a diamond in Blake Cashman last year in free agency but he has played only one full-year during his NFL career. Ivan Pace Jr. is still around but bringing in competition for him and depth at the position with Bassa makes a lot of sense.
Round 5, Pick 139: Alijah Huzzie, CB, North Carolina
Huzzie would be a fun, athletic piece of depth for the Vikings cornerback room in 2025 and beyond. Brian Flores would be able to use him in certain packages while he develops and potentially turns into a reliable option within their defense in the coming years.
Round 5, Pick 162: Kyle Williams, WR, Washington State
The Vikings have shown how important a deep wide receiver group can be for them. They value players who can separate with clean footwork and good route running. That is Kyle Williams. Jalen Nailor has shown he can be a playmaker behind Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson, but adding a fourth receiver for J.J. McCarthy doesn't hurt here.
Round 6, Pick 187: Jalin Conyers, TE, Texas Tech
Jalin Conyers is a fun, dynamic playmaker at the tight end position. Obviously, the Vikings will rely on T.J. Hockenson but they go two or three deep at the position. He could take the Nick Muse role with the potential of earning more reps from Josh Oliver as a long-term play.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: NFL Mock Draft: Vikings trade back and acquire a QB in the process
Continue reading...
