The Minnesota Vikings enter the 2025 NFL Draft with limited draft capital, but they've done a solid job addressing key needs through free agency. Notably, they've bolstered both sides of the trenches—adding offensive linemen Will Fries and Ryan Kelly, as well as defensive linemen Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave.
Thanks to these additions, the Vikings have the flexibility to focus on adding depth in the draft. That said, they could still target a new starter at offensive guard, which is exactly where this mock draft begins.
Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft
The Vikings invested heavily this offseason to strengthen the interior of their offensive line, bringing in veterans Will Fries and Ryan Kelly. However, the left guard position remains a concern, as Blake Brandel has yet to solidify himself as a reliable starter. Adding a versatile lineman like Grey Zabel with this pick could be the final piece needed to turn Minnesota’s offensive line into one of the league’s best.
This is another area the Vikings targeted in free agency, signing veterans Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave to sizable deals. While both bring experience and impact, they’re also over 30 and have dealt with injuries in recent seasons. Enter Shemar Turner—a powerful, explosive defensive lineman from Texas A&M with the ideal size and athleticism to thrive as a 3-4 defensive end in Minnesota’s scheme.
With Byron Murphy and Isaiah Rodgers locked in as starters, cornerback isn’t an immediate need—but depth certainly is. Tommi Hill, once projected as a second-round pick, saw his stock drop after a foot injury sidelined him for most of the 2024 season. Still, he’s a physical, ball-hawking corner who tied for the Big Ten lead with 13 passes defended in 2023. This could be a major value pick for Minnesota.
Safety is a position many draft analysts expect the Vikings to address earlier, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see them wait until the later rounds. With Harrison Smith and Joshua Metellus locked in as starters, and the coaching staff showing confidence in backup free safety Theo Jackson, Minnesota has the flexibility to be patient. In this scenario, they use their final pick on 2023 Third-Team All-American Sebastian Castro—a smart, physical defender who adds depth and special teams value to the secondary.