Exciting Mock Draft Scenarios for the Minnesota Vikings: What’s on the Horizon?
The 2025 NFL Draft is just around the corner, kicking off on Thursday night, and fans of the Minnesota Vikings are buzzing with anticipation. With a plethora of mock drafts circulating, everyone is eager to see what moves the Vikings might make to bolster their roster.
As of now, the Vikings hold four picks in the draft: 24, 97, 139, and 187. However, as the scenarios unfold, there’s a good chance that this number could change as the team explores various strategies.
In one of the first mock drafts, the Vikings are projected to select South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori at the 24th spot. While this could be a solid choice, it’s also likely that the team will consider trading out of this pick to accumulate more draft capital. General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah might be satisfied with the current position, but the need for a safety is pressing, especially with veteran Harrison Smith potentially leaving after this season. Beyond Josh Metellus, the team lacks experienced players in the safety position.
Interestingly, in recent mock drafts from CBS Sports, five out of seven experts have predicted a safety selection at No. 24. Emmanwori is described as a "towering, physically imposing safety with a linebacker-like presence," showcasing impressive run-stopping ability and ball skills. In his final season at South Carolina, he recorded four interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns.
In another mock draft scenario, the Vikings opt for Florida State cornerback Azareye'h Thomas at pick No. 32. With multiple needs on the roster, cornerback could take precedence, especially if the top three cornerbacks are off the board by the time the Vikings pick at 24. In this scenario, Minnesota trades down to 32 with the Eagles, gaining pick 96 in the process.
Adofo-Mensah has previously invested in cornerbacks, selecting four in the top four rounds over his first three drafts. Currently, only Mehki Blackmon, who is recovering from a torn ACL, remains on the roster. The re-signing of Byron Murphy Jr. was a crucial move, and the team also brought in Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah to fill the gaps left by Stephon Gilmore and Shaq Griffin. However, both new signings come with their own set of uncertainties. Okudah is on his fourth team in six seasons, while Rodgers played just 36% of defensive snaps for the Super Bowl-winning Philadelphia Eagles last year.
Beyond Murphy, the cornerback group is largely unproven. While adding a rookie corner in the draft won’t guarantee success, it’s clear that the Vikings need to strengthen this position. CBS Sports highlights Thomas as a physical corner with great length, which would be beneficial for the Vikings, considering that Murphy, Rodgers, and Blackmon are all under six feet tall.
Another option for the Vikings could be to focus on safety. However, with Theo Jackson, Smith, and Metellus, the safety position may not be as urgent for 2025. It seems more likely that safety will become a priority in 2026 or whenever Smith decides to retire.
In our mock drafts, we also aimed to beef up the offensive and defensive lines. When the Vikings were on the clock, three top interior offensive linemen were still available: Tyler Booker from Alabama, Grey Zabel from North Dakota State University, and Donovan Jackson from Ohio State.
While Booker has some weaknesses that may not align with Minnesota's offensive scheme, the choice came down to Zabel or Jackson. Both players are similar in size, but Zabel has the added advantage of positional flexibility. While Jackson is projected solely as a guard, Zabel has the potential to play center in the NFL. The Vikings could use an upgrade at left guard, but they also need a long-term solution at center, especially since free-agent addition Ryan Kelly will be 34 when the next season starts and has only completed three full seasons in his nine-year career. Zabel could step in at left guard for a year or two while he acclimates to the NFL, then transition to center as Kelly's successor.
In another scenario, Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon fell to the Vikings, making him an obvious choice. Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 313 pounds, he would become the heaviest interior defender on the Vikings' roster. Harmon excels against both the run and the pass, providing the Vikings with a succession plan for their aging defensive line.
The excitement is palpable as the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, set to begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday. Fans are eager to see how the Vikings will navigate their picks and what strategies they will employ to enhance their roster for the upcoming season.
