A tremendously successful 2024 season ended abruptly for the Minnesota Vikings, as the 14-3 NFC North outfit was bounced with ease by the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card round.

The Vikes head into a curious offseason, with last year’s first round pick JJ McCarthy set to return from an injury and give the team a decision to make at the sport’s most important position.

At the very least, Minnesota’s decision-making won’t be so clouded during the draft. With just three picks over the seven rounds, including their first at 24th overall, it has to capitalize on each chance to add talent to its roster.

Ahead of April’s player selection, read on for the 2025 NFL Draft outlook for the Minnesota Vikings.

Minnesota Vikings Needs & Draft Strategy

Though it’s fairly safe to assume Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will make necessary trades to add a pick or two to their war chest in April, with just three picks currently slated, the Vikes’ strategy is clarified.

With a clearly defined need at a premium position, expect Minnesota to target that spot intensely with its first selection before adding depth at a couple of other spots. The Vikings’ top draft need is at cornerback, where they just finished a season with a unit made up of former highly drafted veterans.

Shaquill Griffin, Byron Murphy Jr., Fabian Moreau, and Stephon Gillmore all played meaningful snaps at the corner for Minnesota last year, and all four are headed into free agency. With the exception of Murphy, all are nearing or already on the wrong side of 30, stressing the need for youth.

To the Vikings’ credit, their secondary played well last year — with the team’s defense finishing sixth in Expected Points Added against the pass and allowing an average yards per attempt – which should encourage them to get a similar level out of a younger group in 2025.

A patchwork unit made up of veterans on short-term deals was the reality at defensive tackle for the Vikings, too. After Harrison Phillips and Jerry Tillery combined to start 27 games last year, an injection of youth along the interior is needed.

Though Tillery found some stability after an underwhelming career to this point, Minnesota is likely to let him walk and roll back its tackles with the veteran Phillips paired with a rookie. After ending the 2024 campaign as one of the league’s best defenses against the run, ranked second in Expected Points Added on the ground, this spot is about evolution, not revolution.

On the other side of the ball, Minnesota’s third biggest need is found in the backfield. Veteran free agent Aaron Jones did well last year and, crucially, stay healthy. He should retain his starting job in 2025, which allows the Vikes to take a patient approach and add youth in a reserve role.

Both of Minnesota’s current backup tailbacks come with concerns, stressing the need for an addition. Cam Akers performed well as Jones’ backup last year, with a 4.6 yards per carry average, but has repeatedly dealt serious injuries in his short career. While lightning-quick and explosive, Ty Chandler has failed to stand out as more than a special teamer.

Despite Jones’ good individual season, the Vikings didn’t run the ball well last year. They finished 23rd in yards per carry, at 4.1, and a lowly 28th in Expected Points Added. An injection of life is needed.

Potential Minnesota Vikings Draft Picks 2025

With the 24th pick and their sights set on a cornerback, the Minnesota Vikings should be comfortably able to pick between two prospects who are just a shade off of the two best at the position in the entire class: Will Johnson and Travis Hunter.

In Benjamin Morrison, the Vikes would get a former Fighting Irish corner who has the type of physicality that enables him to follow receivers into the slot and press at the line. He does, however, have the profile of a prototypical number one corner, and his versatility appeals to a division with Jayden Reed, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Rome Odunze.

While East Carolina’s Shavon Revel Jr. doesn’t have the same kind of versatility as Morrison, he has awesome size – at 6’3” and nearly 200 pounds – and plays with a dominating style of physicality.

We’re looking for defensive tackles on day three, the Vikings won’t be short on options. However, if it’s heavy hands, stout size, and run defense that they’re after, a couple of names with pedigree stand out. Either Ohio State’s Ty Hamilton or Georgia’s Nazir Stackhouse figure to be rotational players who could help to spell Phillips immediately, even as day three rookies.

Similarly, the Vikes won’t be short on day three tailback options. A quartet of runners with starting-caliber size and athleticism stand out: Kansas’s Devin Neal, Oklahoma State’s Ollie Gordon, Syracuse’s LeQuint Allen, and Michigan’s Kalel Mullings.