The Minnesota Vikings haven’t drafted a running back in the first round of the NFL Draft since 2007, when they selected Adrian Peterson No. 7 overall.
That move, unequivocally, was a home run. AP took the league by storm, earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors before becoming the first player in NFL history to eclipse 3,000 yards over his first two NFL seasons. He entered that 2007 draft as a superstar prospect out of Oklahoma, and is still viewed as one of the top Heisman Trophy snubs in the history of the award.
Nearly two decades later, could the Vikings land a 2024 Heisman hopeful in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft?
Matt Holder of Bleacher Report recently named Minnesota as a landing spot for breakout Boise State star Ashton Jeanty. Here was take on the bold prediction:
“As we’ve noted over the past few weeks, Minnesota would be wise to target offensive line help or perhaps a defensive playmaker early in the draft. However, the B/R Scouting Department recently mocked Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty to the Vikings, and the pairing would make sense. Aaron Jones has been terrific this season when healthy, but he’ll turn 30 next month and is playing on a one-year deal. One can question the value of drafting a running back in the first round, but Jeanty’s NFL upside is unquestionable.”
For the second time in three years, no running backs were drafted in the first round in 2024. That trend figures to change this April.
Jeanty’s stock is rising, especially after his recent 159-yard, three-touchdown night against San Jose State. He’s second only to two-way Colorado star Travis Hunter in Heisman odds, per BetMGM. If the Vikings go all-in on Jeanty, they would definitely have to use their first round pick, and they might even have to move up.
The Vikings have bigger needs, though, and they’ll likely look to extend Aaron Jones to maintain stability at running back. Adding an offensive guard on the right side should be a priority, and their slew of expiring contracts at both cornerback and defensive tackle could fuel their decision in Round 1.
The Vikings are only projected to have four total draft picks in 2025 (their first, two fifths and a third-round compensatory selection). If they’re planning to take a running back earlier than the fifth round, why not trade back, pick up an extra selection, and draft a running back on Day 2?
Jeanty to Minnesota makes some sense, but it doesn’t feel all that realistic, given the Vikings situation and where they’ll likely be selecting on Day 1 of the draft. Still, the allure of a young, dynamic playmaker could be too hard to pass up if he’s somehow still on the board.
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