Rather than focus on a Super Bowl run, Minnesota may need to shift its attention to what they can add next offseason. The team opted against trading multiple picks and still hold its first-round selection. That pick should come near the top ten, and one prominent draft insider has already suggested a potential direction.

Running back Jeremiyah Love to MN Vikings?

The Vikings’ roster has several holes to fill this offseason. Many veterans are on one-year deals, and may not return. Among the positions of need, running back is an interesting possibility, and NFL Draft Analyst Dan Brugler sees the Vikings targeting it.

Like Downs, Love is one of the best players in the draft but positional value will limit his landing spots in the top half of Round 1. Here, that just means the Vikings get value by adding the draft’s most explosive offensive weapon — a versatile back who’d help both the run and pass games.

Dane Brugler – The Athletic

At 11th overall, Love is projected as the first running back to be selected. The Notre Dame product has had an exceptional career, building on a strong 2024 with a stellar 2025. Last season, the sophomore rushed for 1,125 yards and 17 touchdowns. This season, he has 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns in four fewer games.

While there’s no question that Love is the nation’s best backs, it is somewhat surprising that the Vikings would be seen as a fit. Kevin O’Connell already acquired Jordan Mason this offseason via trade, yet he has continued to avoid leaning on the running game.

Minnesota’s Running Game Isn’t a Priority

Minnesota is one of only eight teams averaging fewer than 100 rushing yards per game this season. Aaron Jones returned on another one-year deal, but the aging veteran is nearing the end of his career. Mason has shown flashes, but his 48.2 yards per game is a step backward from last season’s 65.8 yards per game.

The quarterback situation has been a mess all year, yet the head coach has not adjusted his game plan. Last week against the Seahawks, he had immobile pocket passer Max Brosmer roll out on 4th-and-1 rather than pounding it up the middle.

well that was not ideal pic.twitter.com/qzLerp3NeU

— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) November 30, 2025

Until the Vikings commit to the running game, using a first-round pick on the position makes little sense. While the team will need more talent for the roster next season, exploring a low-risk free agency move may be a more logical approach.

Minnesota Vikings facing major questions in their 2025 secondary

The list of pending free agents includes cornerbacks Stephon Gilmore, Shaquill Griffin and Bryon Murphy Jr. Minnesota’s secondary could include new faces at safety, too, with Harrison Smith again pondering retirement and Cam Bynum also due for free agency.

This will force the Vikings to be aggressive in courting defensive backs throughout the offseason. Surely, they will look to the free agent market, and they have money to spend in that area. Another route to fixing their CB problems is through the 2025 NFL Draft.

Kiper Jr. projects cornerback to the Minnesota Vikings

ESPN’s Mel Kiper — one of the most trusted names in the NFL Draft scouting and mock drafting world — released his first 2025 NFL mock draft on Wednesday, where he projects the Minnesota Vikings to select Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison with the 24th overall pick.

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.

-Mel Kiper Jr. (ESPN)

Related: ESPN Analyst Confident the Vikings Will Sign Sam Darnold to Lucrative Contract Extension

The Vikings led the National Football league in interceptions last season. Without a doubt, Morrison would help in that area going forward. In three years at Notre Dame, Benjamin Morrison pulled in nine interceptions, to go with 84 total tackles.

Benjamin Morrison! 🔒🔒🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/Or6F1Hyp2E

— WeAreDBnation (@WeAreDBNation1) May 25, 2024

What other positions could the Minnesota Vikings target?

Although the Vikings could end up thin at cornerback, they have other positions of need that could be filled with their first round pick. Both the offensive and defensive line could use upgrades in the offseason. Quarterback Sam Darnold was sacked nine times in the playoff loss to the Rams.

The defensive line was elite against the run this year, but often struggled at creating pressure. These could be two spots the Vikings look to improve with their 24th overall pick. This is especially true if the Vikings are able to resign any of their free agent corners.

What lies ahead

The Minnesota Vikings have many more questions to answer before they decide what to do in the first round of the draft. For example, who will be the quarterback next season and will Brian Flores be back as defensive coordinator? Who will they be able to sign in free agency?

Related: Vikings Finally Get Kevin O’Connell Contract Extension Done; Kwesi Adofo-Mensah Up Next

The answers to all of these questions will influence what the team ultimately decides to do with the 24th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Until we know more of that context, it’ll be difficult to really predict who the Minnesota Vikings will target, or what position.

Expectations aren’t super high for Minnesota in 2024, with many viewing the upcoming season as a growth year. Many were hopeful for McCarthy to become the Vikings starting back quickly, but season-ending surgery means that Sam Darnold will be the guy this fall.

Related: Minnesota Vikings insider reveals why Stephon Gilmore chose team

While it certainly doesn’t spell doom for Minnesota’s season, it does lower the team’s upside. McCarthy showcased this summer that he might’ve already been the best quarterback on the Vikings roster. Instead, head coach Kevin O’Connell will have to put the offense in Darnold’s hands.

It certainly increases the odds of Minnesota having one of the top picks in the 2025 NFL Draft order. If that happens, a recent ESPN NFL mock draft might have forecasted who could join the Vikings defense next year.

Related: NFL defense rankings 2024, see where Minnesota Vikings land

In his first 2025 NFL mock draft, ESPN‘s Field Yates has Minnesota landing the 7th overall pick and selecting Michigan Wolverines defensive tackle Mason Graham.

“While Michigan does not have the sheer depth of draftable talent that it did last year, its star power at the top looks better on paper entering this season. There are plenty of ways to describe Graham, but the best would be “play wrecker,” as he lives in opposing backfields with ridiculous explosion and quickness off the snap. He reminds me a bit of Rams 2024 second-round pick Braden Fiske but with more length and younger at just 20 years old (Fiske was 23 entering his final college season). In his first year as a starter last season, Graham had three sacks and was third on the team in tackles per game (3.2).”

Field Yates on projected Minnesota Vikings draft pick Mason Graham (ESPN)

Background on Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham

Mason Graham, age 20, joined the Wolverines in 2022. Rated as a four-star recruit by 247 Sports as the 209th-best prospect in the country at the time, Graham has emerged as one of the best players in college football.

Related: Minnesota Vikings draft picks 2025, Vikings future draft picks

The 6-foot-3 defensive lineman stood out immediately, earning freshman All-American honors in 2022. As a sophomore starter on one of the best defenses in college football, Graham broke out. The 320-pound defensive tackle earned second-team All-American honors and was named the Rose Bowl Defensive MVP on the way to winning a national championship.

• Mason Graham stats (ESPN): 23 solo tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble

11 days til Michigan football

Can’t wait to see America’s best college football player, Mason Graham, on the fields once again pic.twitter.com/MP9AaFlqF2

— James T. Yoder (@JamesYoder) August 20, 2024

Among FBS defensive tackles, Graham finished the 2023 campaign with the 20th-most pressures (29), the seventh-most quarterback hits (seven) and the third-highest pass-rush win rate (16.4 percent), per Pro Football Focus.

Related: Former Minnesota Vikings kicker has been awful in Packers’ training camp battle

In preliminary 2025 NFL Draft rankings, PFF rated Graham as the best draft-eligible player in college football. Meanwhile, Nate Tice of Yahoo Sports has Graham as the fifth-best prospect and Dane Brugler of The Athletic evaluated him as the fourth-best player in the class.

Now that Cousins has packed his bags for Atlanta, not to mention trading for an extra first-round pick, all eyes turn to the NFL Draft for Vikings fans. Now general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is in a position to either trade up for a top QB or maintain flexibility to add two impact prospects in the first round.

• Minnesota Vikings’ draft position 2024: 11th and 23rd overall picks in first round

Zygi Wilf has made it clear that reaching the postseason is always the goal, and boasting two picks in the first round places the Vikings in a strong position to continue improving Kevin O’Connell’s roster this offseason.

Related: 2024 Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft Roundup

Minnesota Vikings Draft Picks 2024

Here are the nine draft selections the Vikings currently hold.

• Round 1, 11th overall
• Round 1, 23rd overall
• Round 4, 108th overall
• Round 4, 129th overall (via DET)
• Round 5, 157th overall (via CLE)
• Round 5, 167th overall (via KC)
• Round 6, 177th overall (via CAR)
• Round 7, 230th overall (via ATL, from CLE, ARZ)
• Round 7, 232nd overall (via ARZ)

The Vikings do not have their own third-round pick this season due to the T.J. Hockenson trade, which also gives them Detroit’s fourth-round pick in this year’s draft.

2024 Minnesota Vikings Draft Needs

Here are the 2024 Vikings team needs after the first wave of NFL free agency.

• QB
• DL
• OG
• EDGE
• CB
• WR
• RB
• LB

Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft

I used the Pro Football Focus NFL Draft simulator to assist with organization. This method provides a convenient tool to work through various draft scenarios, including trades. This Vikings mock draft will receive several updates throughout the offseason, leading up to April’s three-day event.

1st Round, 5th Overall*: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

• TRADE: Minnesota Vikings trade 11th and 23rd picks to the Los Angeles Chargers for 5th + 69th picks

First, let’s address the trade. Packaging 11 + 23 = 3,196 points in the Over The Cap NFL Draft trade value chart. The Vikings are exchanging those picks with the new-look Los Angeles Chargers for No. 5 plus the 69th overall pick, which equals 3,039 points, so in that sense, the Vikings lost this trade. Yet, if it means landing their QB of the future, we’ll consider it a massive win for KAM.

If the Vikings do move up, don’t expect the Patriots or Cardinals to want to move down. The Patriots can land their QB of the future, and the Cardinals can get arguably the best player in the draft in Marvin Harrison Jr. This allows the Vikings to work something out with the Chargers, who suddenly have several needs to fill after cutting bait on Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.

As to the J.J. McCarthy pick, he’s a player some scouts are falling in love with, and there are several reports indicating the Vikings could be part of that group. McCarthy didn’t get a chance to show he could lead a team with his arm consistently, but the leadership the 6-foot-2 QB displayed while helping Michigan win the CFP National Championship left a lasting impact.

A bit of a ‘raw’ prospect in the sense that his career could go either way, boom or bust, but the Vikings feel confident in their process, believing they can develop a QB with solid traits into a star. Possessing a mild amount of mobility plus a slightly above-average arm, McCarthy’s pro-style background should lead to a shorter learning curve, and the presence of Kevin O’Connell + Josh McCown will work wonders.

Related: Kwesi Trying to Sell Sam Darnold Propaganda Because What Other Choice Does He Have?

3rd Round, 69th Overall: T’Vondre Sweat, DL, Texas

Continuing the theme of free agency, there’s no doubt that addressing the defensive line is a top need this offseason, so don’t be surprised if the Vikings fill out the trenches with one of their first two picks.

While there’s another Texas Longhorns defensive tackle on NFL Draft radars in the first round (Byron Murphy II), T’Vondre Sweat is the next best thing. Sweat is listed at a monstrous 6-foot-4, 362 pounds, which he uses to create pressure up the middle while also clogging lanes in the running game.

Here’s a quick rep of Sweat during Senior Bowl practices, showing how effective his strength and low center of gravity can be in the trenches.

There's only so much you can do to slow down 360+ pounds.

T'Vondre Sweat is inevitable when he wants to be. pic.twitter.com/oWTi3pvjUj

— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 31, 2024

That type of power definitely translates to the next level. If the Vikings could plug him into the middle of their defense, Brian Flores should have a much easier time creating pressure and patching up the run defense.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Next Franchise QB Odds, Following Kirk Cousins’ Departure

4th Round, 108th overall: Malik Washington, WR, Virginia

There are several different routes the Vikings could take on Day 3. If both the QB and DL needs are filled, it pretty much allows the front office to pick the best player available from here on out. Areas like cornerback could be addressed, but the Vikings already have three young, developing prospects here with Evans, Blackmon, and Booth. This feels like an area that needs to be addressed with another veteran if more help is brought on board.

Offensive guard is an area to watch, but there’s confidence that a deal can be worked out with Dalton Risner, eventually. That leaves the option to continue reinforcing the defensive line/pass rusher depth, or adding another weapon for their new young QB. We chose door No. 2.

At 5-foot-8, Malik Washington is not a player who will ever be expected to become a starter. After all, this is Day 3 of the NFL Draft. However, his skillset is ideal for the Vikings thanks to the presence of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, all that’s needed here is a slot weapon to replace K.J. Osborn. Washington is not a one-for-one replacement. He isn’t a strong run blocker, but the recently signed Trent Sherfield can fill that role on rushing downs and screens.

What makes Washington stand out is his speed and elite ability to change directions on a dime, making him perfect for the slot. The Vikings need someone who can be a speed demon who picks up yards after the catch, and Washington can fill that role with ease.

Malik Washington (#Virginia) among 2024 NFL Draft WRs:

📌 #2 Overall PFF Grade
📌 #2 PFF Grade vs Zone
📌 #2 PFF Grade vs Man
📌 #5 in Contested-Catch %
📌 #7 in Yards Per Route Run
📌 #1 in Slot Yards

In an elite WR class, guys like this are going under the radar. pic.twitter.com/DAeyBwEbyL

— SCOUTD (@scoutdnfl) March 15, 2024

Minnesota Vikings 7-Round Mock Draft 2024

Here is our full seven-round Vikings mock draft.

• 1st round, 5th overall: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
• 3rd round, 69th overall: T’Vondre Sweat, DL, Texas
• 4th round, 108th overall: Malik Washington, WR, Virginia
• 4th round, 129th overall: Mohamed Kamara, EDGE, Colorado State
• 5th round, 157th overall: Zak Zinter, OG, Michigan
• 5th round, 167th overall: Tarheeb Still, CB, Maryland
• 6th round, 177th overall: Erick All, TE, Iowa
• 7th round, 230th overall: Keith Randolph Jr., DL, Illinois
• 7th round, 232nd overall: Isaiah Davis, RB, South Dakota State

Related: Vikings Reportedly Offered Kirk Cousins a Multi-Year Deal with Guarantees in Year-2

Related: 1st Round QB Hopefuls are Working Hard to Impress Vikings at Senior Bowl

Amongst the uncertainty, the biggest question revolves around Kirk Cousins future with the Vikings next season, and the quarterback position, with only speculation circulating at the moment. Recently, Pro Football Network, a well known site, unveiled a mock draft crafted by one of their insiders, projecting the Vikings to make a splash in the draft.

Minnesota Vikings Trade Up to Draft Jayden Daniels (LSU)

If the Vikings do get aggressive and decide to trade up from No. 11, come April, they’ll be targeting a quarterback. In NFL Draft expert Will Helms’ (Pro Football Network) most recent mock draft, he calls for the Minnesota Vikings to do just that.

Sources are telling Helms that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah wants to get aggressive so he calls for the Vikings GM to cut a deal with the Washington Commanders, moving them all the way up to No. 2, where they take their quarterback of the future, Jayden Daniels.

• Vikings Receive: No. 2 overall pick (’24)
• Commanders Receive: 11th, 42nd, and 155th overall picks (’24) | 1st-round and 3rd-round picks (’25)

“With Williams off the board, we’ll throw another change into the order of the top three quarterbacks. Rather than having the Commanders take Maye to replace fellow Tar Heel Sam Howell, we’ll have them trade down and ride with the incumbent starter for one more year — depending on how the board falls later.

Again, mock drafts are a game of information. Sources expect the Vikings to be aggressive in the draft in their search for a franchise quarterback on a rookie deal.

Jayden Daniels can make every throw and has elite athleticism. If the Vikings put a guy with his upside in an offense with Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson, they’ll have the chance to contend for a Super Bowl if the LSU quarterback reaches his potential.”

Will Helms – Pro Football Network

Related: NFL Insider Predicts Kirk Cousins Gets $85 Million from Vikings & Kwesi Drafts QB of the Future

What To Know About Jayden Daniels

Jayden Daniels competed in college for both Arizona State and LSU, where he achieved notable success, including the Heisman Trophy, along with numerous other accolades from 2023. In total last season, he passed for 3,800 yards and 40 touchdowns while also rushing for 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Daniels dual threat abilities played a pivotal role in his Heisman victory, making him challenging for defenses to contain. It’s also worth noting that he competed in the highly regarded SEC, widely known as the premier conference in college football.

The Senior Bowl is underway this week, with most of the top rated quarterbacks in attendance. Surprisingly, Daniels is not among them. This absence could potentially have a significant impact for the Vikings, who are actively scouting other players and quarterbacks at the event.

Being able to observe prospects up close and evaluate their performance firsthand may sway the Vikings decision. However, it’s worth noting that Daniels exceptional senior season at LSU already speaks volumes about his capabilities, leaving little left for him to prove.

Minnesota Vikings + Will Levis (Kentucky)

So, who will be Kevin O’Connell’s guy? Well, Kentucky quarterback, Will Levis, would be a logical option. He’s been on the outside looking in, when experts break down the top three or four QBs available, meaning he’s one of the more likely QBs to fall outside the top-10.

Which team is drafting @UKFootball QB @will_levis? ????

????: 2023 #NFLDraft — Starts Thursday, April 27 on NFLN/ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/MBKptLP1ER

— NFL (@NFL) March 20, 2023

Not only that, but Kevin O’Connell reportedly likes Levis a lot, which may or may not be be influenced by his former colleague, now Kentucky offensive coordinator, Liam Coen.

Levis may not go in the top-10, when names start being called at the podium in Kansas City, but he’s going to go somewhere in the first round. Will the Vikings, who have immediate needs to fill all over the roster, really spend their most important pick on a QB who won’t see the field for at least one season?

Experts/Insiders Mock Levis to Vikings

For many draft experts and insiders in recent weeks, the answer is “yes”. Now that free agency has been alive for over a week, mock drafts across the internet are being updated. And, holy moly, mockers suddenly love Will Levis to the Vikings.

NFL.com draft expert, Charles Davis, has Levis falling all the way into Kevin O’Connell’s lap at #23 overall. While any 1st round pick is expensive, this would be the ideal scenario if KOC really likes Levis that much.

Now Charles Davis has the Vikings taking Will Levis in the first round.

Lot of steam building towards Minnesota taking a QB early. pic.twitter.com/H77x8UC0WW

— Vikings Central (@VikesCentral) March 23, 2023

Other draft experts and NFL insiders do not see the 23-year-old QB falling all the way down to #23. Most believe the Vikings will have to trade up, if they really are that obsessed with drafting Levis.

That could be EXTREMELY expensive, especially if they have to break into the top-10 to make it happen. Seems unlikely, right? Even impossible?

Apparently not, according to Minnesota Vikings insider, Alec Lewis (The Athletic), who has Kwesi trading his 1st and 3rd round picks in 2023 and their 1st round pick in 2024 in order to jump all the way up to #7, to nab their QB of the future.

Will Levis started his college career at Penn State, before transferring to Kentucky after his Sophomore season. He went on to throw for 5,232 yards during his two-year career in royal blue. That’s 6th most in school history. His 43 touchdowns ranks 4th and his 149.9 CFB QB Rating is the best the Wildcats have ever seen out of a starting quarterback.

He is a classic pocket passer whose mobility is seen as limited. Still, he’s a big enough threat with his feet that defenses will have to account for his scrambling abilities. Mix that in with his high-level arm traits and you can see why O’Connell likes him.

Levis epitomizes the phrase “bet on traits.” He has the requisite size/build, mobility, and arm talent NFL evaluators long for. His arm strength is outstanding and well on par among some of the top quarterbacks in the NFL. He has the ability to fit passes into tight windows and generate velocity/RPMs with minimal effort. Levis has the arm talent to make all of the NFL-caliber throws. His throwing mechanics are clean, sharp, and aesthetically pleasing. Levis throws with a compact motion and a snappy release. 

TheDraftNetwork.com

There is still plenty of time left between now and the draft. Kentucky’s pro day will be held on Friday (March 24) so he’s sure to move up or down draft boards depending on how he performs. One thing is for sure, the Vikings will be there watching.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan