Three hundred and twenty-nine.
That's how many prospects are headed to Indianapolis for the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine next week. For several days, the top collegiate performers will run through drills, test measurables, show off strengths, try to mask weaknesses and field questions in interviews that'll help define their draft stock.
Only one, however, will wind up hearing his name called when Minnesota is on the clock at No. 24.
(Editor's Note: Draft slots and capital sometimes change in advance of or during the annual event.)
Historically, Minnesota has picked 24th on a couple occasions, choosing from the same proving ground.
In 1971, the team landed on national champion running back Leo Hayden at No. 24 out of Ohio State. Hayden was one of two Buckeyes ball carriers chosen in the opening round that year, after John Brockington, but never panned out as a pro, leaving the Vikings after a single season and the NFL after three. Some have floated the idea of Minnesota drafting a RB early in 2025, and there happens to be two Ohio State players – TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins – among this year's draft class. Other positions that remain in projections include interior offensive and defensive line, plus defensive backs.
Twenty-four years after taking Hayden, the Vikings dipped again into Ohio State's talent pool, drafting consensus All-American tackle Korey Stringer, who repped the Purple proudly and was elected to his first Pro Bowl after the 2000 season, his last before his tragic August 2001 death during training camp.
Ohio State leads all schools this year with 15 players invited to the combine.
Here's what draftniks are saying of late about who Minnesota should select with the 24th overall pick:
Russell Brown of FantasyPros
Feb. 14
Brown projects at No. 24: Shemar Stewart, DL, Texas A&M
There's a chance Shemar Stewart is already off the board by this point in the draft. He's explosive, versatile and has all the tools needed to develop into a dominant defensive lineman in the NFL. If he ends up falling in the lap of the Vikings, it feels like a sprint-for-the-podium moment for them.
Kyle Crabbs of 33rd Team
Feb. 17
Crabbs projects at No. 24: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
The Vikings are, according to a recent report from ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, a team that may choose to covet re-signing their young safety, Camryn Bynum, over one of their top corners in Byron Murphy, Jr. If they go that route, Minnesota's long-term need at corner will be further amplified. Texas corner Jahdae Barron would be a home run pairing, as his ball production exploded this past season and he'd be playing in a scheme that lets him play with eyes on the quarterback. Best of all, Barron is a top-tier tackler.
Kyle Dvorchak of NBC Sports
Feb. 11
Dvorchak projects at No. 24: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
The Vikings can inject some youth into their secondary with Emmanwori. The former Gamecock racked up four interceptions, two of which were house calls, in his final season.
Luke Easterling of Athlon Sports
Feb. 13
Easterling projects at No. 24: Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan
There are big needs in the secondary for Minnesota, but in this scenario, there's too much value to pass up in the defensive trenches. Grant is a massive interior defender who can command double-teams in the run game, which leaves his teammates with plenty of 1-on-1 opportunities and frees up linebackers to make early stops. He also has surprising athleticism and explosiveness for such a large defender.
Josh Edwards of CBS Sports
Feb. 13
Edwards projects at No. 31 (via trade with Kansas City): Tyleik Williams, DL, Ohio State
After trading down with Kansas City, the Vikings are still able to address a big position of need. Tyleik Williams is not going to offer much in terms of a pass rush, but he does raise the floor of the run defense.
Cynthia Frelund of NFL.com
Feb. 7
Frelund projects at No. 24: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
With so many of Minnesota's DBs due to hit free agency in March, getting the secondary set will be a big priority this offseason. Likely unable to address all their pass-coverage needs on the open market, the Vikings pick Morrison, whose ball skills and physicality make him a strong fit within Brian Flores' defense.
Daniel Harms of The Draft Network
Feb. 16
Harms projects at No. 24: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
This is my shameless attempt to pair one of the most athletic and versatile defenders in this class with the most versatile, crazy, and blitz-happy defensive coordinator in the NFL in Brian Flores. Jihaad Campbell has the instincts and football IQ to develop into a field general middle linebacker.
Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com
Feb. 18
Jeremiah projects at No. 24: TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
The Vikings have had an up-close look at what a dynamic runner can do for an offense that also features a loaded passing attack (SEE: Jahmyr Gibbs in Detroit).
Joel Klatt of FOX Sports
Feb. 12
Klatt projects at No. 24: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
Harmon led all interior defenders in QB pressures (55) this past season, recording 12 more than anyone else. He's an interior, twitchy defensive lineman that can help a Vikings team that needs interior help.
Alec Lewis of The Athletic
Feb. 13
Lewis projects at No. 29 (via trade with Washington): Tyler Booker, G, Alabama
Nick Saban recruited him from IMG Academy, where he played for a season with Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Booker didn't transfer once Saban retired, and this past season was graded as one of the best pass protectors in college football. Dane Brugler called him a "plug-and-play guard who should be a longtime pro." Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said Booker is "one of the best leaders I've ever been around," and NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah described Booker as a player with similar leadership traits to the Houston Texans Will Anderson, Jr. Booker would fit nicely if the Vikings are as committed to changing the play style and personality of their fronts as they say they are. Add him to an additional upgrade or two on the interior offensive line and Minnesota could look different offensively.
Charles McDonald and Nate Tice of Yahoo! Sports
Feb. 11
McDonald projects at No. 30 (via 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.
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of USA TODAY
Feb. 10
Middlehurst-Schwarts projects at No. 24: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
Minnesota is facing ample uncertainty on the back end of its defense. A hyper-versatile playmaker, Barron should be of particular interest to Brian Flores not only as a straight-up cover man but also a movable piece for the secondary, which could face numerous losses this offseason.
Andy Molitor of Bleacher Nation
Feb. 13
Molitor projects at No. 24: Jack Sawyer, Edge, Ohio State
A high-motor, high-intelligence guy that I like fitting in with Brian Flores' amorphous schemes up front.
Luke Norris of Fansided
Feb. 12
Norris projects at No. 24: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
A hip injury limited Morrison to just six games in 2024, but he's expected to be fully healthy heading into the draft. In 31 games with the Fighting Irish over three seasons, the Virginia native recorded nine interceptions and 18 passes defended. The Vikings led the NFL in interceptions this past season, which was a big reason why they won 14 games, so adding a ballhawk like Morrison seems like a no-brainer.
Thor Nystrom of Fantasy Life
Feb. 10
Nystrom projects at No. 24: Shemar Stewart, DL, Texas A&M
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah takes input from the coaching staff in draft evaluations, and Shemar Stewart is a prospect I believe Brian Flores will advocate for. Stewart profiles as an active, two-way 3-4 defensive end. Stewart measured in at the Senior Bowl at 6-foot-5, 281 pounds, with a wingspan of nearly seven feet. His stock rose in Mobile, and it's going to rise again later this month in Indianapolis at the NFL Combine.
Rob Rang of FOX Sports
Feb. 11
Rang projects at No. 24: Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State
The Vikings decision to either retain veteran Sam Darnold or go all-in on last year's top pick J.J. McCarthy will obviously help determine which direction they go with this pick. While a running back isn't necessarily the biggest position of concern, adding juice to the backfield would make a lot of sense if Minnesota opts to keep Darnold and load up for a title "run." And, if building around McCarthy is the plan, providing him with a young, versatile back like Judkins could also ease his transition to NFL starter.
Mike Renner of CBS Sports
Feb. 11
Renner projects at No. 24: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
The Vikings may look to replace 36-year-old Harrison Smith with a similarly versatile talent in Starks. Starks' ability to line up anywhere on the backend was made for Brian Flores' scheme.
Chad Reuter of NFL.com
Feb. 10
Reuter projects at No. 30 (via trade with Buffalo): Azareye'h Thomas, CB, Florida State
The Vikings face the possibility of a near-complete turnover at the corner position this offseason, with four veterans — including starters Stephon Gilmore and Byron Murphy, Jr., — scheduled for free agency. Thomas' size (6-1, 191) and aggressiveness in coverage make him a first-round value.
Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus
Feb. 9
Sikkema projects at No. 24: Tyler Booker, G, Alabama
The Vikings could target a defensive back in this range, but their interior offensive line was also a weak spot in 2024 — and a reason they didn't advance further in the playoffs. Booker is a rock-solid guard prospect who is talked about in high regard for his intangibles and how he approaches the game.
Feb. 10
Brent Sobleski projects at No. 24: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
The Vikings may be losing the quarterback of their defense since 36-year-old Harrison Smith is a free agent. Smith could return for another season. But the chance to land a prospect the caliber of Georgia's Malaki Starks is far too tempting. Starks is a top-5 prospect in this year's class, according to the Bleacher Report Scouting Department. But he slid due to positional value and team fit. The Vikings benefit. "Starks isn't a typical safety prospect," Sobleski said. "He brings high-end athleticism and coverage skills to the secondary. He's a fluid defender, who excels in all phases of the game."
Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports
Feb. 12
Trapasso projects at No. 24: Shavon Revel, Jr., CB, East Carolina
Before his injury, Revel 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.
Ian Valentino of 33rd Team
Feb. 14
Valentino projects at No. 24: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
It's easy to forget that Notre Dame's best defender missed the entire season with an injury. The Minnesota Vikings could grab an interior lineman, but I think they address that in free agency. Benjamin Morrison gives Brian Flores an elite man corner to deploy, taking his unit up a whole new notch.
Hayden Winks of Underdog Network
Feb. 10
Winks projects at No. 24: Donovan Jackson, OL, Ohio State
Whether it's with big-play hunter Sam Darnold or inexperienced J.J. McCarthy at QB, the pocket can't collapse as it did in 2024. … Jackson looks like a guard but did move to LT for Ohio State when Josh Simmons missed time.
Field Yates of ESPN
Feb. 11
Yates projects at No. 24: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
We know the Vikings can create pressure with their deep edge-rush group and Brian Flores' scheme, but one thing they lacked in 2024 was a difference-making pass rusher from the interior. Harmon would fill that gap and more; he led FBS defensive tackles in pressures (34) during his breakout 2024 at Oregon. He has outstanding length and the power to control opposing offensive linemen at the point of attack.
