Excitement, curiosity, anxiousness and anticipation – every emotion for April 24 is intensifying.

That's because it's crunch time. Thirty-two teams are triple-checking their leg work, finalizing assessments and perfecting their big boards and ideal attack plans for the 2025 NFL Draft, which opens in 16 days.

Although Minnesota's first two scheduled picks – Nos. 24 and 97 – are lower on the board, there's still a buzz about the Vikings and what they'll do in this year's annual event to complement their great haul in free agency.

And so, we introduce version 6.0 of our Mock Draft Tracker series, which this time outlines predictions via 25 draft mavens, from the likes of Bucky Brooks and Field Yates, to the continued combined efforts of Charles McDonald and Nate Tice.

As Round 1 draws nearer, South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori is gaining popularity, jumping four spots to 15 in Daniel Jeremiah's updated Top 50 player rankings, and receiving mention six times in version 6.0 – two more than Georgia safety Malaki Starks.

Jeremiah described Emmanwori as "a massive safety prospect with ideal instincts and ball skills" and concluded he'll be a difference-maker so long as the team drafting him deploys him close to the action.

In addition to Starks, Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron's name was floated by four experts in this roundup, while Florida State CB Azareye'h Thomas and North Dakota State offensive lineman Grey Zabel were recognized thrice. Also, Kentucky CB Maxwell Hairston made multiple appearances, and Mississippi CB Trey Amos, East Carolina CB Shavon Revel, Jr., and Texas A&M EDGE Shemar Stewart were included once. Overall, nine different players were presented by 25 prognosticators as possible fits for Minnesota.

We should note, another common theme for the Vikings in mock drafts circulating is the option of trading out of the first round entirely. With only four picks at Minnesota's disposal right now, some envision the Vikings moving down to acquire more selections.

Here's a look at two-dozen-and-one of the latest mock drafts from around the web:

Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic

April 7

Baumgardner predicts at No. 24: Grey Zabel, G/C, North Dakota State

Zabel was a true five-tool offensive lineman in college. He's not long enough to be an everyday tackle in the NFL, but his ability to make things happen inside is undeniable. Zabel is a powerful, explosive, flexible athlete with elite football IQ.

Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports

April 4

Benjamin predicts at No. 24: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

The Vikings still have well-respected leaders on the back end in Harrison Smith and Joshua Metellus, but with Camryn Bynum exiting, they could use more of a rangy long-term option at safety. Starks isn't necessarily as imposing as fellow prospect Nick Emmanwori, but his experience at both slot corner and safety suggests he could be an immediate chess piece for Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores.

Benjamin predicts at No. 97: JJ Pegues, DL, Mississippi

The Vikings committed big bucks to Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave on the defensive interior, but both veterans are over 30. And incumbent starter Harrison Phillips isn't far off. In other words, Brian Flores' front could use some developmental pieces. Pegues had inconsistencies at Ole Miss, but his superpower is his versatility, offering both the compact size (6-2, 309) and quickness to move along the defensive line.

Bucky Brooks of NFL.com

March 25

Brooks predicts at No. 24: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

Harrison Smith's decision to return for Year 14 allows Emmanwori to serve as an apprentice before taking over as a full-time starter in 2026.

Charlie Campbell of Walter Football

April 7

Campbell predicts at No. 24: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

The Vikings could use more young talent at cornerback. Barron is an instinctive corner who is a willing tackler and showed improved ball skills as a senior. In 2024, Barron had 67 tackles with five interceptions and 11 passes broken up. He had 59 tackles with an interception and five breakups the previous season. Barron (5-11, 200) could fit as a slot or outside corner in the NFL.

Steven Cheah of Barstool Sports

April 4

Cheah predicts at No. 24: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M

Stewart doesn't have a ton of production (4.5 total sacks in three seasons), but at 6-foot-5, 267 lbs. (rumors are he played closer to 290 lbs.) he is a massive EDGE rusher. He can help shore up their run defense, which is a big point of emphasis playing in a division with Detroit and Green Bay. But developing more of a pass-rush plan, he has sky-high potential if he can put it all together.

Kyle Crabbs of 33rd Team

March 31

Crabbs predicts at No. 24: Maxwell Hairston, CB Kentucky

Minnesota's aggressive defensive scheme puts a lot on the cornerbacks at times. They must be comfortable triggering and attacking spots as pressure comes, and Hairston just so happens to have one of the quickest transitions in the class and offers great ball skills.

Charles Davis of NFL.com

March 27

Davis predicts at No. 24: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

I've loved the moves made this offseason by GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, especially how he's added to the O-line and D-line. Now he lands the eventual successor for six-time Pro Bowl safety Harrison Smith.

Kyle Dvorchak of NBC Sports

April 3

Dvorchak predicts at No. 24: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

Minnesota brought back Vikings lifer Harrison Smith in free agency but let fellow safety Cam Bynum walk. At 36 years old, Smith is also nearing the end of his career. Emmanwori was a defensive weapon at South Carolina, totaling four picks and two pick-sixes in his final season. He then obliterated the Combine with a perfect 10.0 RAS, highlighted by a 4.38 40-yard dash at 6-3, 220 pounds.

Eric Edholm of NFL.com

March 28

Edholm predicts at No. 32 (via trade with Philadelphia): Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

Moving back eight spots and landing a potential starting corner would be good work by the Vikings. Trading down would help Minnesota replenish a limited supply of draft picks (four at the moment). The Vikings could go with a guard here, but corner is the higher-priority position.

Note: Edholm did not project compensation for the trade.

Sam Farmer of Los Angeles Times

March 31

Farmer predicts at No. 24: Grey Zabel, G, North Dakota State

The Vikings need an upgrade at left guard, and Zabel has turned heads of late. He can play at either guard spot or center.

Bruce Feldman of The Athletic

April 2

Feldman predicts at No. 24: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

Minnesota has some terrific options here to bring in a young star safety to learn from Harrison Smith. I think the Vikings will go for the freak athlete Emmanwori from South Carolina over Georgia standout Malaki Starks. The 6-3, 220-pound Emmanwori put on an awesome display at the combine, vertical jumping 43 inches, broad jumping 11-6 and running a 4.38 40 with a 1.49 10-yard split to back up a staggering amount of production in the SEC. He made 88 tackles with four INTs and two pick sixes in 2024. Emmanwori gets compared to former Seahawks enforcer Kam Chancellor because of his size, but former Cardinals star Adrian Wilson, a five-time Pro Bowler, is a better comp, according to South Carolina DC Clayton White. White played at N.C. State with Wilson, who had similar size and was a more dynamic athlete than Chancellor. Inside the Gamecocks program, Emmanwori was known as "Nick the Eraser." As freakish as Emmanwori is, his coaches say the things that impress them most are his football IQ and ability to retain information. "He's as big as some defensive ends in college and faster than anyone on the field," an SEC offensive coordinator said. "He's got so much range, it gives you a lot to worry about. There's some inconsistency there with him on the film, but you just don't see guys this size or are this athletic."

Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports

April 4

Fornelli predicts at No. 24: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

The Vikings only have four picks in this draft. I'm sure they'd love to trade down from this spot, but who's looking to trade up right now? Unless somebody's desperate to reach for a Jaxson Dart, it's unlikely. So the Vikings address a need in the secondary with my top safety in the class. Maybe they'll have better luck moving down on Friday or Saturday.

Vinnie Iyer of Sporting News

April 4

Iyer predicts at No. 24: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

The Vikings lost Camryn Bynum's playmaking next to Harrison Smith in free agency. Emmanwori can be another upfield force against the run while also flashing the athleticism to be a big-time playmaker in coverage.

Maurice Jones-Drew of NFL.com

April 3

Jones-Drew predicts at No. 24: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

The Vikings lost Cam Bynum in free agency, but they replace him with a young, ball-hawking safety in Emmanwori.

Gilberto Manzano of Sports Illustrated

April 3

Manzano predicts at No. 24: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

Odds are that the Vikings will be looking to trade down to gain more draft picks. They're set when it comes to the premium positions, such as quarterback, receiver, tackle, edge rusher and cornerback. But they do have a need at safety after the free-agency departure of Camryn Bynum, and Harrison Smith is heading into his 14^th season. Emmanwori is considered the best safety in the draft because of his instincts and ball skills.

Charles McDonald and Nate Tice of Yahoo! Sports

April 7

McDonald predicts at No. 24: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

The Vikings have done a good job adding talent up front to their defense, but they could still use an upgrade at slot corner. Barron is built to be an NFL slot defender and would form a nice tandem with the recently re-signed Byron Murphy, Jr.

Thor Nystrom of FantasyLife

March 31

Nystrom predicts at No. 24: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

Adding a rotational defensive lineman to play behind Harrison Phillips, Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave in Minnesota's 3-4 system is absolutely in play. … However, the secondary is a bigger area of need. And you can't find a better fit for Brian Flores' defense than Barron. Barron is instinctive and active, deciphering offensive intentions immediately and springing into action. In coverage in 2024, Barron allowed no TDs and 272 yards on 65 targets with five interceptions. He is a destructive secondary presence in a zone scheme. Texas moved Barron all over the formation. He has extensive experience at boundary corner, in the slot and in the box as a dime LB.

Garrett Podell of CBS Sports

April 1

Podell predicts at No. 24: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

Harrison Smith is 36, and Cam Bynum left for the Colts in free agency. The Vikings need an injection of youth at the position, so why not the 2025 class' best at the position?

Will Ragatz of Minnesota Vikings on SI

April 4

Ragatz predicts at No. 30 (via trade with Buffalo): Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State

Zabel feels like a pretty perfect target for the Vikings after everything they accomplished in free agency. There would be a clear path for him to start at left guard right away and address one of Minnesota's lingering question marks, provided he can beat out Blake Brandel in training camp. And because Zabel is capable of playing all five positions on the offensive line, his versatility would add depth across the board. He could play either tackle spot in a pinch (those were his two main positions in college), and he'd be a candidate to take over for Ryan Kelly at center in a couple years. After a standout career at NDSU, Zabel has made a strong case for himself as a first-round pick with his performance at the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine. He's an excellent athlete who has room to add a bit of weight to his 6-foot-6, 312-pound frame, and he projects as a run-blocking weapon who can hold up against powerful interior pass rushers. Adding Zabel would round out a potentially elite Vikings offensive line. There's no guarantee he's on the board at 30 (or even 24), but if things play out like this, it would be excellent value for Minnesota.

Note: Ragatz did not project trade compensation.

Ragatz predicts at No. 97: Lathan Ransom, S, Ohio State

Safety is a very logical position for the Vikings to target with one of their first few picks in this draft, considering 2025 could be Harrison Smith's final year and Theo Jackson still has to prove himself in a major role. Ransom is an explosive athlete at 6-foot, 205 pounds. He's an imperfect coverage player, but he's a major weapon coming downhill as a run defender and blitzer. Over the last four years, Ransom recorded 18 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, three interceptions and 13 passes defended. He can be a sub-package player and special teams standout as a rookie, then potentially take over for Smith in 2026. He turns 23 this summer and has a ton of experience.

Chad Reuter of NFL.com

April 4

Reuter predicts at No. 31 (via trade with Kansas City): Azareye'h Thomas, CB, Florida State

While Thomas' lackluster 40-yard dash (4.6 range) at Florida State's pro day might scare off some teams, the Vikings could really use his size on the outside to complement returning starter Byron Murphy, Jr., and newly acquired Isaiah Rodgers.

Note: Reuter did not specify trade compensation, but he has the Vikings picking at Nos. 95 and 133 with selections that belonged to Kansas City. With those, he has Minnesota drafting G Wyatt Milum from West Virginia and RB Bhayshul Tuten from Virginia Tech.

Reuter predicts at No. 97: Marques Sigle, S, Kansas State

Reuter predicts at No. 139: Tyler Batty, EDGE, BYU

Keith Sanchez of The Draft Network

April 6

Sanchez predicts at No. 24: Azareye'h Thomas, CB, Florida State

The Vikings are once again looking to add pieces to their secondary. Azareye'h Thomas is a long corner who can play both man and zone. In an aggressive Brian Flores defense, Thomas could become a reliable and key piece to this defense immediately.

Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports

April 2

Trapasso predicts at No. 29 (via trade with Washington): Trey Amos, CB, Mississippi

After obtaining a fourth-round pick from Washington, along with a 2026 third-round pick in the trade back, the Vikings get a high-floor outside cornerback for Brian Flores' defense.

Ian Valentino of 33rd Team

April 7

Valentino predicts at No. 24: Azareye'h Thomas, CB, Florida State

By adding a handful of veteran defenders in free agency, the Minnesota Vikings will hit the clock with only a few outstanding positions lacking talent. A guard is justified, but I have a higher grade on Azareye'h Thomas. The elite press-man corner will give Brian Flores someone to stick on physical receivers and unleash more varied coverages.

Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports

April 7

Wilson predicts 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., (and maybe that's a good thing), but he's a nice mix of both in terms of size and play style.

Field Yates of ESPN

April 2

Yates predicts at No. 24: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

Minnesota spent big to upgrade its defensive interior, but it also has to ensure its secondary does not drop off too much in 2025. The cornerbacks room lost Stephon Gilmore and Shaq Griffin, and Byron Murphy, Jr. — who returned on a new deal — is a better fit in the slot. Barron could claim one of the starting outside spots. He is one of the most instinctive players in the entire class, showing an ability to find the football from any alignment. His versatility would surely appeal to Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores, and he posted five interceptions and 10 pass breakups in 2024.

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