Mel Kiper Grades 2025 Minnesota Vikings Draft Class…

The dust has settled on the 2025 NFL Draft, an event the Minnesota Vikings went into with just four total selections over seven rounds. While many believed they’d be wheeling and dealing for more picks throughout the weekend, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah took a different route, focusing on quality over quantity.

When the dust settled on the three day party in Green Bay Saturday evening, the Vikings walked away with five new draft picks for the 2025 camp roster, which tied (2008), for the least amount of picks since the franchise came into existence in 1961.

Realistically, the Minnesota Vikings’ 2025 offseason will be judged much more on its free agency signings than it is on the draft. But if Kwesi can hit on some of these longer-shot picks, it could be a turning point in his tenure as Vikings GM.

Minnesota Vikings earn lukewarm grade from Mel Kiper

If there’s one person in this world that’s never played or coached in the NFL, who’s name is most synonymous with the league’s Annual Player Selection Meeting, it’s ESPN’s Mel Kiper. The original NFL Draft expert has been the media face of the draft since he made his first appearance on ESPN’s draft coverage back in 1984.

A staple of Mel’s yearly coverage of the NFL Draft are his post-draft grades, where he gave the Minnesota Vikings an underwhelming B- for their 2025 class. It wasn’t necessarily the number of picks that hurt the Vikings, though it certainly didn’t help. Instead, Kiper was disappointed that Kwesi couldn’t land Brian Flores another talented CB to help out in a very thin secondary, hopefully now, but for sure in the future.

“Minnesota, however, came into this draft with just four total picks, the fewest of any team (the Vikings added one more via a trade with the Rams). If general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was going to help out his young passer, he was going to have to do it with surgical precision. The first move was Donovan Jackson in Round 1. He will take Blake Brandel’s spot at left guard, where he will help both as a pass protector and run blocker. Somewhat surprisingly, Jackson was the third guard off the board at No. 24.

The Vikings got some value with the next few picks. Receiver Tai Felton had 96 catches last season; Minnesota landed my No. 83 prospect at No. 102. Edge rusher Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins didn’t fill the stat sheet in a deep Georgia rotation, but he has some traits that can be developed. He was No. 123 on my board, acquired at No. 139.

Adofo-Mensah did what he could with the team’s limited picks, but I wanted to see the Vikings snag an impact cornerback who could thrive in Brian Flores’ aggressive system.”

Mel Kiper – ESPN

Analyzing Kiper’s Minnesota Vikings analysis

Kiper was a bit surprised by the Jackson pick, at No. 24. He did not have him as the third guard coming off the board. From there, he likes the upside in Maryland wide receiver, Tai Felton who the MN Vikings selected as the final pick in the 3rd round.

The 6’2″ 178 lb Senior hauled in 96 catches last season for 1,124 yards and shined at Huntington Bank Stadium against the Gophers, where he caught 9 passes for 104 yards. He’ll likely get punt/kick return reps immediately, and could also challenge Nailor for WR3 early on, as well.

Special things happen when @taifelton has the ball in his hands. #Skol pic.twitter.com/eVnXf9xNQ3

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) April 26, 2025

When we factor in Jordan Addison’s likely suspension — originating from his DUI arrest in LA last summer — Tai’s role on offense could be even bigger. No matter where they were picked, all five of the Minnesota Vikings selections from Thursday-Saturday has a legitimate chance at making the 2025 53-man roster out of camp.

Vikings new draft picks locked for roster spots?

Of course both Jackson and Felton are locks for roster spots, as long as they are healthy. Defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins likely has too much talent to cut from the roster, as well. Given the limited depth Minnesota has at inside linebacker, I would be surprised if 6th round pick Kobe King can’t make the roster. I’d bet on him making it over Brian Asamoah, at this point.

Related: 2025 Minnesota Vikings Draft Class is Complete

Kevin O’Connell’s favorite value pick from the weekend might be Pittsburgh tight end, Gavin Bartholomew (6th round). He comes in as the Vikings’ 3rd tight end, behind TJ Hockenson and Josh Oliver. Last season, Minnesota had three-four tight ends active for every game.