The 2025 NFL Draft is approaching, and the Minnesota Vikings have the 24th overall pick. This is a breakdown of their team needs and potential players they could select in the Draft. Plus, an overview of their offseason so far and possible additions.
State of the Union
This past season was another taste of classic Minnesota sports heartbreak. Sam Darnold came out of the gate playing like a franchise quarterback, and the team rolled off to an impressive 5-0 start. Back-to-back losses to the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams threatened to derail things, yet the team responded with a nine-game winning streak. It all lined up to a fight for the division and the one seed in Week 18.
Darnold played arguably his worst game of the year as the team coughed up the one seed, leading to a Wild Card matchup with the Rams, who beat them yet again. Just like that, their most promising season in years evaporated with two losses to the same two teams. Now, things are poised to change in a big way.
Darnold is gone, and 10th overall pick J.J. McCarthy is without question the starting quarterback. Minnesota sought to re-tool around the 22-year-old, but will they be able to stay afloat in a competitive division, or will the heartbreak of last season only increase with time?
Free Agency Recap
Key Departures
QB Sam Darnold – Despite his disappointing end to the season, the 27-year-old cashed in on his career year. He smashed career highs in yards, touchdowns, and completion percentage with the lowest turnover rate of his career. A three-year, $100 million deal in Seattle is his just reward. With McCarthy waiting in the wings and plenty of big-time players to pay, it’s no surprise that Minnesota let him walk. Whether or not it can replace his Pro Bowl campaign remains to be seen.
S Cam Bynum – This departure might hurt. Over the past two years, Bynum has racked up five picks, three forced fumbles, deflected 19 passes, and had 233 total tackles. Though the stat sheet production has been there, it may be a question of down-to-down consistency. Last year, Bynum played the second most coverage snaps of any safety in the league and recorded a 59.6 coverage grade, per PFF. Though Minnesota’s safety situation is dire with Bynum gone, it may have been uncomfortable overpaying for one.
Other Departures: QB Daniel Jones, C Garretty Bradbury, DT Jonathan Bullard, G Ed Ingram, DE Patrick Jones II, QB Nick Mullens, TE Johnny Mundt, WR Trent Sherfield, DT Jerry Tillery
Key Additions
G Will Fries – As if this Vikings offensive line wasn’t good enough already. Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill represent one of the best tackle pairings in the league. Ryan Kelly is a solid pivot replacement for the departing Garrett Bradbury. Left guard remains a question, but there are options, and now Fries arrives to lock down right guard. His 86.9 PFF grade from last year placed him fourth amongst all guards, built on elite run blocking and strong pass pro. If you’re going to trot out a first-year quarterback, being elite at 3/5 offensive line spots forms a great foundation.
CB Isaiah Rodgers – If there was one team weakness this Vikings team struggled with, it was the secondary. Pro Bowler Byron Murphy Jr. was the bright spot, and the 27-year-old re-signed this offseason, but more was needed. Isaiah Rodgers could be a huge upgrade and at a bargain price for two years and $11 million. He posted strong numbers last year as an integral part of the title-winning Eagles and gives the Vikings their top outside corner option. More must be done, but this was a great start.
DTs Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave – Though not as rough as the secondary, the defensive line in Minnesota needed a facelift. In its 3-4 base alignment, Jonathan Greenard did the vast majority of the pass-rushing and was elite at it. Harrison Phillips and Jerry Tillery ate up the majority of the tackle snaps and did subpar jobs. Allen and Hargrave are coming off campaigns cut short by injury, but Minnesota is counting on a rebound. Hargrave can be an elite run and pass defender over center, and Allen is well-suited for a 3-4 end role. If this group stays healthy and productive, it could be one of the biggest strengths of the team.
RB Jordan Mason – You’re probably wondering why a projected backup RB is a key addition. Maybe my 49er bias is showing. But I have been a Jordan Mason believer since day one. Aaron Jones isn’t getting any younger; already on the wrong side of 30, despite the career high numbers in carries and yards last season. Mason, 25, looked extremely capable stepping in for an injured Christian McCaffrey. He’s averaged 5.3 yards per tote over 236 career carries and has plenty of tread left on the tires. His violent running style pairs well with Jones, who shouldn’t be asked to handle 250 carries again, and brings an extra element of nastiness to this run game.
Other Additions: LB Eric Wilson, S Tavierre Thomas, T Justin Skule, C Ryan Kelly, WR Rondale Moore, WR Tim Jones, CB Jeff Okudah
Team Needs
Left Guard – As mentioned previously, left guard stands out as the only real weak spot in this offensive line, and possibly the entire offense. Incumbent starter Blake Brandel stumbled to a 55.2 overall grade. Michael Jurgens, Henry Byrd, and various others are unproven to this point. Luckily for the Vikings, this is an addressable situation before the offseason is up. Interior offensive line options abound in any draft, and there are viable veterans left on the market. Additions will be made.
Secondary Depth – This remains my biggest point of concern on this Vikings squad. Byron Murphy Jr. should remain a stud, and I like the Isaiah Rodgers signing, but there’s not much else to speak of. The stability Harrison Smith brings going into his 14th year in Minnesota is important, but his play has slipped noticeably. Josh Metellus may be a strong box safety, but he offers little in terms of coverage. The other corner spots could be an issue. Mekhi Blackmon showed promise as a rookie third-round pick, but recovery after a torn ACL is a question mark. Jeff Okudah, the former third overall pick, was one of the worst corners in the league last year. Ambry Thomas has potential for sure, but he’s no certain thing. More work will have to be done on this group through the draft.
Defensive Line Depth – Like the offensive line, this is a nit to pick. Jonathan Greenard is a stud in the prime of his career. Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave have made a combined four Pro Bowls in the past four years. The concern here is who gives them a breather or replaces them if the injury issues for the last two crop up again. Harrison Phillips is about replacement-level for an interior defensive lineman. Jalen Redmond, the undrafted rookie, showed some promise. If the primary three can stay healthy, their options work for rotational snaps. Stepping in for injured starters could be another question entirely.
Potential Draft Picks
S Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina – Malaki Starks falling to 24 would be a dream scenario for Minnesota, but it can settle for another excellent SEC safety prospect. Emmanwori is strong in the run and better in coverage to go with a strong physical profile. He’d form a solid safety rotation from day one with Harrison Smith and Josh Metellus, with an eye on replacing Smith once the stalwart safety retires. This is a great way of mixing upside with filling an immediate need.
CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky – Another need being met, and more upside. Hairston fits Minnesota’s preferred corner profile as a smaller, more athletic playmaking type. Though he did miss some games this past year, Hairston’s 2023 season saw him compile 68 total tackles, six pass deflections, five interceptions, a forced fumble, and two defensive scores. Throw in a 4.28 40-yard dash with a 39.5″ vertical, and you could have a special playmaker on your hands.
WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State – Now, hear me out. Minnesota only owns four total picks in this draft, and though some trade downs are expected, they won’t be drafting high outside of this pick. They have J.J. McCarthy and Jordan Addison under cheap control for two more years. Perhaps now is the time to add a third stud receiver while you still can. Egbuka has committed the terrible crime of not being as good as Marvin Harrison Jr. and Jeremiah Smith, and it’s made him an underrated draft commodity. An all-around receiver with size and speed that can win inside and out, Egbuka could take this offense to a new level and make life easy for JJ.
Day 2 Targets: WR Jaylin Noel (Iowa State), G Jared Wilson (Georgia), G Tate Ratledge (Georgia), DE Oluwafemi Oladejo (UCLA), S Andrew Mukuba (Texas), T Ozzy Trapilo (Boston College)
Day 3 Targets: S Lathan Ransom (Ohio State), CB Nohl Williams (California), DL Elijah Roberts (SMU), G Miles Frazier (LSU), S Jaylen Reed (Penn State), WR Tory Horton (Colorado State)
