The Minnesota Vikings are closing out a disappointing season, and it is clear the roster needs upgrades. The focus starts in the secondary, where several cornerbacks and safeties could depart in free agency, and continues with the running game as both stopping the run on defense and establishing it on offense have been major issues.
Minnesota Vikings three round NFL mock draft
Round 1 Pick 15: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
The Vikings need to overhaul their secondary this offseason after a unit that underachieved and is set to lose multiple cornerbacks to free agency. Clemson’s Avieon Terrell fits that need as a true ball hawk, breaking up 21 passes over the past two seasons, while also bringing physicality as a run defender. Strong in coverage and competitive at the point of attack, Terrell has the skill set to step in immediately as a day-one nickel corner as Minnesota reshapes its defensive backfield.
Round 2, Pick 46: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
The Vikings continue rebuilding their secondary by selecting Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, a potential replacement for Harrison Smith. One of the top Group of Five prospects in the draft, McNeil-Warren is a reliable, physical tackler who would immediately help a run defense that ranked 24th in the NFL. He also brings real value in coverage and is the only safety in the country to earn 90.0-plus PFF grades in both run defense and coverage, making him a clean fit in Minnesota’s defensive rebuild.
Round 3, Pick 89: Emmett Johnson, RB, Nebraska
If the Vikings want J.J. McCarthy to succeed, they need to upgrade a rushing attack averaging just 103 yards per game. Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson, one of the class’s most versatile backs, fits that need perfectly. He combines quickness and contact balance as a runner, rushing for 1,451 yards this season, while his reliable hands helped him catch 46 passes out of the backfield. That well-rounded skill set makes Johnson an ideal fit for Kevin O’Connell’s offense.
🌽 32 Touches
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 9, 2025
🌽 129 RUSH YDS
🌽 103 REC YDS
🌽 3 TD@HuskerFootball RB Emmett Johnson is the only FBS player this season with 💯 rushing and receiving yards in the same game 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Yo2lFfVJkk
Round 3, Pick 97: Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
The Vikings address their struggling run defense again by selecting Texas Tech’s Lee Hunter in the third round. A massive presence at 6-foot-4 and 330 pounds, Hunter uses his size to occupy blockers and free up linebackers to make plays. The 2025 Athletic All-American brings a powerful, disruptive force to the middle of Minnesota’s defensive front.