The 2025 NFL Draft is months away, and the Vikings are surprising everyone by looking like they could be one of the best teams in the entire NFC, not just the North. Despite that, they do have some positions that will need some depth pieces added.
The team’s positional needs heading into the season include a defensive line, cornerback, and maybe a wide receiver or running back.
For this mock draft, we went with something outside the box. The Vikings Byron Murphy Jr. has six interceptions which is good for third in the NFL going into Monday Night Football. The veteran cornerback is set to be a free agent, so the team may be forced to replace him. We explored a potential replacement for him by trading for one of the better corners in the NFL.
Let the fun begin as we build this roster to get it closer to being one of the best in the NFL.
The Vikings acquire Sauce Gardner from the New York Jets
Dec 28, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) breaks up a pass intended for Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) during the second half during the first half at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Vikings send:
- 28th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft
- 144th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft
- 2026 5th round draft pick
Jets send:
- Sauce Gardner
- 107th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft
- 2026 6th round draft pick
Some added context for this trade: As far as the Jets trading away their All-Pro cornerback, this team is far away from contending for a Super Bowl. The team is potentially looking at a rebuild if the new front office decides it needs it, so perhaps they pursue the extra draft capital in that sense and see Gardner as expendable.
I used the Minkah Fitzpatrick trade the Steelers and Dolphins pulled off in 2019 as a base for the draft capital in this trade.
Picks the Vikings have after the proposed Sauce Gardner trade in the 2025 NFL Draft
Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
- 97th overall
- 107th overall
- 163rd overall
- 241st overall
Round 3, Pick 97: Kyle Monangai, RB, Rutgers
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) runs for a touchdown during the second quarter against Miami Hurricanes at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Aaron Jones is playing better than anyone expected, but he is on a one-year deal. Whether they bring back the veteran running back or not, I love the idea of Monangai in the Vikings backfield. They currently are giving Cam Akers 10-15 snaps a game. The idea of giving those to Monangai, with his explosiveness and blocking, sounds much better.
Round 4, Pick 107: Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson, OL, Florida
Sep 7, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) gestures while running with Florida Gators offensive lineman Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson (65) against the Samford Bulldogs during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson has played meaningful snaps at both tackle and guard spots. His positional versatility would give the Vikings several plays heading into 2025. If Christian Darrisaw is still recovering from his torn ACL, he could fill in at left tackle. If they don’t like the idea of Dalton Risner or Ed Inrgam at right guard, he can be given a chance there. Sign me up for Crenshaw-Dickson as a Vikings in 2025.
Round 5, Pick 163: Kurtis Rourke, QB, Indiana
Nov 30, 2024; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Kurtis Rourke (9) drops back to pass the ball in the first quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Everyone expects Daniel Jones to be the backup option for J.J. McCarthy next season, but what if he isn’t? Whether he is around or not, I like the idea of stashing Rourke on the practice squad, even if it is just as the emergency quarterback option. Not enough teams prepare for those situations, so having another younger quarterback develop behind McCarthy and potentially Daniel Jones allows the Vikings to be ready for anything.
Round 7, Pick 241: DeMonte Capehart, DL, Clemson
Aug 31, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive lineman DeMonte Capehart (19) reacts after tackling Georgia Bulldogs running back Branson Robinson (not pictured) during the first quarter of the 2024 Aflac Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports
The Vikings have found something in Jalen Redmond; his recent performance has made him ready to earn more significant reps. The team also has Harrison Phillips on a two-year extension at the moment, but Capehart is perfect given his situation. He is going to need some time to develop, and if he ever does, being behind Phillips and Redmond makes for the perfect scenario for that development.