In the 2025 NFL Draft, how many picks are available to the Minnesota Vikings?
As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, the Minnesota Vikings are gearing up to make key selections that will shape the future of their roster. As with every draft, the number of picks a team has can be a pivotal factor in its ability to address its needs and build for the future. The Vikings, under the leadership of General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, have adhered to a strategy that often involves flexibility and a keen understanding of team-building, relying heavily on analytics and strategic planning to make decisions about which positions to prioritize and how best to allocate their draft capital.
Understanding the Vikings’ Draft Capital for 2025
Before delving into the specific number of picks the Vikings will have in the 2025 NFL Draft, it is important to recognize the context of the draft process itself. Each team is granted a set number of picks in each draft, typically determined by a combination of factors, including the team’s performance in the previous season, trades made during the year, compensatory picks awarded, and any draft forfeitures due to violations of league rules.
For the Minnesota Vikings, the 2025 NFL Draft is poised to be a crucial moment in their attempt to improve their roster and continue their competitive window. Let’s break down the potential picks and what they could mean for the team’s future.
The Vikings’ Picks in the 2025 NFL Draft
Currently, the Vikings are expected to have a total of eight picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. These picks include selections in the first round, second round, and additional rounds later in the draft. While the number of picks can fluctuate based on trades made leading up to and during the draft, as of now, this is the expected slate for the Vikings.
To get a clearer picture of how the Vikings’ draft capital stacks up, we’ll break down each round and the positions the Vikings are expected to select from. These picks represent an opportunity for the team to address multiple areas of need, continue its success with data-driven decision-making, and possibly find value in the later rounds.
Round 1: The 2025 First-Round Pick
As of now, the Minnesota Vikings hold their own first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. This pick will be critical for the team, as the first round is typically where teams look to add premium talent that can contribute immediately. The Vikings are likely to focus on positions of need, such as the offensive line, cornerback, or defensive line, depending on how the team performs in the 2024 season and where they find themselves in the standings.
The Vikings have a number of important decisions to make when it comes to their future. With quarterback Kirk Cousins not getting any younger, they may consider drafting a potential successor or a young quarterback to groom for the future. Alternatively, the Vikings may decide to shore up their defense, which has been inconsistent in recent years, or they could take a long-term approach by focusing on the offensive line to protect their quarterback of the future.
With a high selection, the Vikings will have access to some of the top talents in the draft class. They could choose a player who immediately makes an impact on one of the team’s most pressing needs. Given the Minnesota Vikings’ emphasis on a balanced and data-driven approach to team-building, expect the first-round pick to be a player who is seen as a safe investment with high upside.
Round 2: The 2025 Second-Round Pick
The Vikings also possess a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. This is another important opportunity for the team to find quality talent. While first-round picks often garner the most attention, second-round selections can often be just as impactful, particularly if a team is able to identify a player who slips due to various factors or is a hidden gem.
For the Vikings, the second-round pick could allow them to fill an immediate need, whether that be improving the secondary or adding depth to the offensive line. The Vikings’ defense has been a key focus over the past few years, so it’s likely that they could target a cornerback or a safety here. Another potential area of focus could be the defensive line or an edge rusher who can help provide consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Vikings may look to add more depth to their running back or wide receiver corps, particularly as they look for ways to complement their star wide receiver, Justin Jefferson. The second-round pick is an opportunity for the Vikings to bolster the roster and add a player who could either start immediately or contribute as a rotational player in the coming seasons.
Rounds 3-4: Additional Depth in the Mid-Rounds
The Vikings also have their third-round and fourth-round picks in the 2025 draft, two more opportunities to address their needs and add depth to their roster. This range of picks is often where teams can find hidden gems or fill out their roster with high-upside players who have potential to develop into starters or key contributors.
These picks could be used to target a variety of positions depending on the team’s evaluation of their roster heading into the draft. As is often the case, teams can use these mid-round picks to find valuable depth in the secondary, offensive line, or even the linebacker corps. In recent drafts, players selected in the third and fourth rounds often become immediate contributors, so the Vikings will need to ensure that these picks are used wisely to improve the overall quality of the team.
The Vikings may also target more niche positions in the middle rounds, such as special teams players or depth players at key positions who could become valuable role players. One area to watch is whether the team opts to bolster their linebacker corps, particularly with a future in mind given the age of certain veterans on the roster.
Rounds 5-7: Late-Round Picks for Potential Steals
While the Vikings do not currently have multiple picks in the later rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft, they will still have an opportunity to find diamonds in the rough. It’s common for teams to uncover late-round talent who go on to become key contributors, and Adofo-Mensah’s emphasis on advanced analytics and data may allow the Vikings to identify under-the-radar players who can make an impact.
The fifth, sixth, and seventh-round picks are often seen as gambles, but with the right scouting and data-driven analysis, the Vikings can find players who bring immediate depth to the roster or develop into future starters. Whether it’s a player with untapped potential or someone who simply needs a change of scenery, these late-round picks provide value that can shape the Vikings’ roster in subtle yet important ways.
Expect the Vikings to continue to focus on positions that offer high return on investment, such as cornerbacks, offensive linemen, and versatile players who can contribute on special teams. These picks can also be used to add developmental players at quarterback or to stockpile depth at positions that are typically injury-prone.
Possible Trades and Additional Picks
One of the hallmarks of Adofo-Mensah’s strategy as general manager has been his flexibility when it comes to trades. Since taking over, he has demonstrated a willingness to make moves that position the team to maximize its assets. As a result, the Vikings could potentially move up or down in the draft order to secure a player they like or accumulate additional picks.
For example, if the Vikings believe they can get their top target by moving up in the first round or if they see an opportunity to capitalize on an undervalued prospect later in the draft, Adofo-Mensah could swing a trade. Additionally, the Vikings could use their depth of picks in later rounds as part of a package to move up in the second or third rounds if they find a player they feel strongly about.
Given Adofo-Mensah’s reliance on analytics, the Vikings are also well-positioned to make trades that are backed by data showing clear value. Whether it’s moving up to secure a top prospect or trading down to acquire more picks, Minnesota’s front office is likely to be active in the days leading up to and during the draft.
