Minnesota Vikings fans likely have mixed emotions about Day 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft. On one hand, tonight’s first round is like a second round of Christmas. On the other hand, fans might stay up late into the night just to watch their team trade out of Round 1 completely.
The buzz around the Vikings feels less centered on the prospects they could pick, and more on the bidding war they could hold at pick No. 24 overall. With an NFL-low four total selections, and a 73-pick gap between their first and second picks, trading back to accumulate much-needed draft capital is the route most draft pundits see the Vikings taking.
If Minnesota does stand pat and makes a selection, they could be eyeing a playmaker for defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ secondary. The team needs a replacement for the snaps and production left over from safety Camryn Bynum, and another boundary cornerback to pair with Bryon Murphy Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers has been a hot-button topic of conversation among analysts.
MORE: NFL Draft picks tracker 2025: Live results, updates, list of selections from Rounds 1-7
The Vikings could also continue to add force in the trenches, as left guard and defensive tackle both feel like position groups worth adding to. Minnesota signed a pair of stud D-linemen in Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen this offseason, but both of those players are in their 30s and are coming off injury-plagued 2024 seasons. Adding depth there, or some competition for Blake Brandel at left guard, feels like a worthy use of a first-round pick.
While draft capital is an obvious concern, GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah filled enough gaps in free agency to keep his options open on Day 1. As a final primer, here’s where the experts landed with 11th-hour projections for the Vikings at pick No. 24 overall:
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Final Minnesota Vikings expert predictions for Day 1
Schrager: “The Vikings have needs elsewhere and wouldn’t list running back as a clear hole on their roster. But if Hampton is on the board, he’d be a wonderful addition to a young core that the organization hopes can grow old together.”
Yates: “Minnesota’s safety room is starting to change; Camryn Bynum is now in Indianapolis, and Harrison Smith is 36 years old. Emmanwori has exceptional physical traits and ball skills, dominating at the combine after a four-INT season.”
McShay: “The Vikings have four picks, tied for the fewest of any team, so they will field calls to move back and accumulate more draft capital. But if a player of Barron’s caliber falls, it would be difficult to part with this selection. Barron is a STEAL here—I think he could come off the board as early as no. 7 to the Jets. He has elite instincts and is always around the football. He’s one of the best 15 all-around players in this class.”
Brugler: “Interior offensive or defensive line very easily could be the pick here, but the Vikings might address the secondary if the right player is on the board. It’s fun imagining the ways Brian Flores could use a versatile and athletic weapon like Barron.”
Kiper Jr.: “The Vikings knew they had to address the interior this offseason and went out and signed guard Will Fries and center Ryan Kelly. But Jackson would represent an upgrade over Blake Brandel at the other guard spot. Jackson has some really strong movement traits.”
Jeremiah: “The expectation is the Vikings will address either the offensive or defensive line here, even after making additions at those spots through free agency. Harmon can learn from Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave before becoming a full-time starter.”
Davis: “Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah continues to remake the offensive line. Zabel was a standout at NDSU and at the Senior Bowl. I think he’s a plug-and-play starter at guard.”
Brooks: “Emmanwori can learn from Harrison Smith, who has been in the Vikings’ backfield for 13 seasons, before sliding in as the next potential fixture at safety in Minnesota.”
Sikkema: “Harmon was a top-30 visit for the Vikings, who also had a top-30 visit with Dallas Turner before drafting him last year. Harmon makes sense because all three of Minnesota’s starting interior players are 29 years of age or older heading into the 2025 season.”
OUR PREDICTION: Grey Zabel, IOL, North Dakota State
Why he’s the pick: The Vikings will almost certainly explore trade-down options at No. 24 overall, as accumulating draft capital has to be a goal. If they do stand pat and make a selection, they’re going to want an impact starter from Day 1. Zabel played all over the offensive line at NDSU, including left tackle in 2024, but drafting him here would be with the idea of him pushing Blake Brandel for the starting left guard spot. Protecting first-year starter J.J. McCarthy should be a major focus, and Zabel was a wall in pass protection last year, scoring a stellar 93.1 grade from PFF. The bonus? He could be a stop-gap option at tackle if Christian Darrisaw needs additional time to kick-off the 2025 season. The Vikes have obvious needs in the defensive secondary, but Zabel would be a stabilizing force for Minnesota’s retooled offensive line. After the way 2024 ended, adding to the tranches here is the way to go.
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