The Minnesota Vikings had a bold draft strategy last season. General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah traded away ten picks to snag quarterback J.J. McCarthy and edge rusher Dallas Turner.
Now, with McCarthy sidelined by injury and the team short on draft capital, the Vikings face a critical 2025 offseason. Critics believe trading back to rebuild their stockpile of picks is the next move for the Vikings.
Overpaying for JJ McCarthy Leaves Minnesota Thin in NFL 2025
Last year, Adofo-Mensah flipped the script on his usual cautious approach. He dealt ten draft picks, valued at 73 points, to climb the board twice in the first round. In return, the Vikings landed McCarthy and Turner, prospects worth just 37.4 points. It was a steep price. McCarthy’s rookie season vanished due to a knee injury.
Turner chipped in modestly on the edge. Free-agent signings carried Minnesota to a 14-3 record, masking the roster’s thin depth. Now, the Vikings hold just four picks in 2025—the fewest in the NFL.
Mock drafts spotlight the team’s needs on both sides of the ball. Analysts have linked Minnesota to 46 unique prospects, with over half targeting the secondary. Last season, the Vikings surrendered the fourth-most passing yards league-wide.
South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori, with his 4.38-second 40-yard dash, and Texas corner Jahdae Barron, who snagged five interceptions in college, top the wish lists.
“His dynamic style and athletic prowess make him a compelling option for a team seeking to enhance its defensive capabilities,” an analyst said of Emmanwori. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. added about Barron, “Barron’s fit is excellent given the Vikings’ need in the secondary.”
The offensive line of the Vikings also demands attention. Texas tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. could anchor it. Experts see him as a versatile blocker to protect whoever lines up under center. But with only four picks, Minnesota’s options are tight. Trading back could unlock more selections.
Head coach Brian Flores thrives on aggressive defenses. Prospects like Oregon’s Derrick Harmon or Georgia’s Malaki Starks fit his vision. Harmon could disrupt from the interior. Starks might replace veteran safety Harrison Smith, now in year 14.
Speculation swirls that Adofo-Mensah might slide down the draft order. Analysts note the Vikings’ recent free-agent moves, re-signing Byron Murphy Jr. and adding Isaiah Rodgers, hint at a focus on the secondary.
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Dropping back could net extra picks to chase these targets. One expert praised the team’s willingness to maneuver, tying it to their push for improvement. Underclassmen and sleeper prospects further tempt a trade-down scenario.
The roster’s strength is real, but there are still some holes. A calculated retreat in the draft could give Minnesota the assets it needs to fill them.
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