The Vikings are on the clock in 79 days.
As such, the to-do list before teams convene on April 24 for Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft is jam packed with Scouting Combine prep and evaluation of college and pro players to guide decisions in free agency.
Recently, scouts and keen observers of NFL teams flocked to college All-Star showcases across the country, including the East-West Shrine and Reese's Senior bowls. They watched top draft-eligible prospects and gleaned information to formulate organizational fits from on- and off-field standpoints.
Each part of the pre-draft process is weighted into a grade and can influence a player's stock.
Reps at the Senior Bowl, for instance, may strengthen a prospect's college profile, or give merit to original skepticism. Same goes for the upcoming athletic testing portion of the NFL Draft assessment at Pro Days or the combine – freakish measurables and agility scores help prospects realize their dreams.
Ultimately, everything's done to solidify the drafting of 20-something-year-olds.
Editor's Note: That stresses the inexactness of an inexact science, but also underlines the importance of competent and collaborative thinkers pounding the table for guys they perceive to be difference-makers.
Minnesota's approach to the next 2.75 months is extra intriguing because of its 20-plus pending free agents and limited draft capital – the Vikings currently own the 24th pick and two choices in the fifth round (and are projected to receive a third-round comp pick from Kirk Cousins' departure in free agency last year). It makes the margin for error miniscule, and the depth of certain positions so, so valuable.
One great resource to have bookmarked this time of year is NFL.com media analyst and former scout Daniel Jeremiah's top 50 prospect rankings, which gives a credible overview of the head-turners in the Class of 2025. Nine edge rushers dominate Jeremiah's initial Top 50 ranking and are accompanied by seven defensive tackles, five cornerbacks, five tackles, five wide receivers, four running backs, four tight ends, four interior o-linemen, three quarterbacks, two safeties and two off-ball linebackers.
That bodes well for Minnesota, considering draftniks so far are imagining the Vikings seeking one of four position groups – defensive tackle, running back, interior o-line and defensive back – in the first round.
Here's an updated look at what prognosticators are predicting Minnesota to do at No. 24 (the Vikings have picked in this slot twice previously, drafting RB Leo Hayden in 1971 and OL Korey Stringer in 1995):
Nick Baumgardner and Scott Dochterman of The Athletic
Jan. 28
Dochterman projects at No. 24: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
As the Vikings prepare for the post-Harrison Smith world, they need another third-level playmaker. Emmanwori had two pick sixes this season (and a third called back because of roughing the passer). Emmanwori can hit and cover, plus he's a high-energy player. You're getting the full package.
Editor's Note: There's been no decision from Smith on whether he is returning or retiring.
Bucky Brooks of NFL.com
Jan. 29
Brooks projects at No. 24: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
If Morrison's medicals check out, the well-sized cover corner would be a nice fit for a secondary that prioritizes tackling and toughness on the perimeter.
Mason Cameron of PFF
Feb. 3
Cameron projects at No. 24: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
Barron brings a highly sought-after skill set for Brian Flores' scheme, excelling in spot zone coverage with strong instincts and anticipation across multiple alignments. His Power Five-leading 90.2 coverage grade further highlights his ability to impact the game, making him a good fit for Minnesota's defense.
Kyle Crabbs of 33rd Team
Feb. 3
Crabbs projects at No. 24: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
Stephon Gilmore? A pending free agent. Camryn Bynum? Likewise. Byron Murphy, Jr.? Same. Harrison Smith? Turned [36] on Sunday. This secondary needs reinforcements in a big way, and the slide that Malaki Starks endures due in large part to positional value is to Minnesota's benefit.
Christian D'Andrea of For the W!n
Feb. 3
D'Andrea projects at No. 24: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
Morrison is an explosive corner who can snap off routes. His ability to close to the ball led to an FBS-high 10 passes defensed in 2023 and a directive to stay the hell away from him in 2024. He allowed a 58.4 passer rating in coverage this fall. If healthy, expect his stock to rise through the pre-draft process.
Eric Edholm of NFL.com
Jan. 31
Edholm projects at No. 24: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
Another high-energy disruptor would only make Brian Flores' defense more dangerous.
Josh Edwards of CBS Sports
Jan. 30
Edwards projects at No. 24: Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan
Minnesota has way more talent on offense than on defense. It sounds as though defensive coordinator Brian Flores will be back for another season despite taking some head coaching interviews, so the goal is to give him some talent to keep the defensive trajectory pointing upward.
Andrew Harbaugh of Vikings Wire
Feb. 3
Harbaugh projects at No. 24: TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
What made Aaron Jones, Sr., so great for the Vikings was not his running style or dual-threat ability; it was his pass-blocking. There is no better pass-blocker than TreVeyon Henderson, out of Ohio State, in this 2025 running back class. Add in the fact that Henderson has that big play ability, and you may find yourself in too good a situation to pass up when it comes to the star running back.
Jacob Infante of Pro Football Network
Feb. 2
Infante projects at No. 24: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
It's a loaded defensive tackle class, but Derrick Harmon has the tools to warrant his name being mentioned among the best of them. He has length, size, athleticism, and power that's maximized in how active his hands are when he's rushing the passer up the middle.
Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com
Jan. 25
Jeremiah projects at No. 24: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
Starks didn't make as many plays as we're accustomed to seeing from him in 2024, but people at Georgia rave about his intangibles, leadership and work ethic. He has versatility to play over the top or in the slot.
Mel Kiper, Jr. of ESPN
Jan. 22
Kiper projects at No. 24: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
Minnesota has big-time cornerback questions. All three starters — Stephon Gilmore, Shaq Griffin and slot guy Byron Murphy, Jr. — are free agents, along with backup Fabian Moreau. So, even though the Vikings led the NFL in interceptions by quite a bit (24, five more than second best), they might have to restock their CB room in the draft. Morrison missed all but six games in 2024 with a hip injury, but he's a top-tier cover man. He has sound technique, and he has the ball skills to keep Minnesota's INT total high.
Justin Melo of The Draft Network
Feb. 2
Melo projects at No. 24: Deone Walker, DL, Kentucky
Deone Walker has a little boom-or-bust to his game. When he was at his best at the Senior Bowl, he was keeping his pad level low, using his 340-pound frame to overwhelm blockers. Landing in Minnesota with Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores would be a best-case scenario for his development.
Matt Miller of ESPN
Feb. 3
Miller projects at No. 24: Walter Nolen, DT, Mississippi
Filling gaps on both lines will be a major focus of the Vikings offseason regardless of their decision at quarterback, and Nolen is too great a fit to bypass here. Senior Bowl week was huge for him. Nolen showed scouts his trademark speed and gap-splitting ability but also mixed in a dose of power that wasn't always on his game tape. The Vikings could be big spenders in free agency to lock up a 3-technique, but Nolen is a plug-and-play fit in Brian Flores' defense if that money is diverted elsewhere.
Thor Nystrom of Fantasy Life
Jan. 21
Nystrom projects at No. 24: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
Minnesota might need multiple new starters at both interior defensive line and cornerback. The Vikings also desperately need a new starting RG, but my situational assumption is that Minnesota will address that concern in free agency.
In this exercise, the Vikings go with cornerback. Barron has extensive experience at boundary corner, in the slot, and as a box safety. That's the kind of versatility that DC Brian Flores fetishizes. Barron picked off five balls this year, allowing only 272 yards on 65 targets with no touchdowns.
Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston
Feb. 3
Perry projects at No. 24: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
One of the most talented players in the draft slides due to positional value. The Vikings have a good enough roster elsewhere that adding a tackle-breaking machine to their backfield is an easy choice.
Steve Serby of New York Post
Feb. 1
Serby projects at No. 24: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
With more than $70 million in cap space to use on an interior offensive lineman, Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores can use an interior pass rusher alongside Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel.
Nate Tice and Charles McDonald of Yahoo! Sports
Jan. 29
McDonald projects at No. 30 (trade with Buffalo): Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
The Vikings had a great defense without many great players, particularly along the interior of the defensive line. Harmon gives Minnesota a chance to find that impact defensive tackle.
Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports
Jan. 29
Trapasso projects at No. 24: Shavon Revel, Jr., CB, East Carolina
Before his injury, Shavon Revel, Jr., felt like a first-round lock. With his injury occurring so early in the 2024 season, the Vikings are fine selecting him here. He's long, uber-talented and comes with plus ball skills.
Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports
Feb. 2
Wilson projects at No. 24: Shavon Revel, Jr., CB, East Carolina
Revel tore his ACL in October and missed the rest of the season. But his tape is a lot of fun; his track background shows up when you watch him, as does his length. He'll play with physicality at the line in man coverage and is a fluid mover in space. He's not the shutdown corner of, say, Sauce Gardner when he came out, or as physical as Joey Porter, Jr., but he's a nice mix of both in terms of size and play style.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com
Feb. 3
Zierlein projects at No. 24: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
With the Vikings currently holding just three picks in the 2025 draft, they need to hit in Round 1. With terrific instincts and ball production, Barron could step in quickly if necessary.
