Six players to watch for the Minnesota Vikings at the NFL Combine include top prospects showcasing athleticism, skills, and potential.

The NFL Scouting Combine is one of the most anticipated events in the NFL offseason, as it serves as an opportunity for college football players to showcase their physical skills, mental acumen, and overall readiness for the NFL. The Minnesota Vikings, like all NFL teams, will closely monitor this event to identify potential future stars who could help elevate their roster. With a team that has been on the cusp of playoff contention in recent seasons, the Vikings need to make strategic moves in both free agency and the draft to keep building their roster and add talent that complements their established core.

As the Vikings enter the 2025 NFL season with the hopes of returning to postseason contention, this draft will be crucial. The team has several areas in need of improvement, including the defensive line, secondary, offensive line, and wide receiver depth behind Justin Jefferson. With the combine providing a chance for players to perform in front of scouts, coaches, and general managers, it is essential for the Vikings to pay close attention to the upcoming prospects. Here are six players to watch for the Minnesota Vikings at the NFL Combine, each of whom could fill a key role in the team’s future.

1. Jalen Carter – Defensive Tackle (Georgia)

The Minnesota Vikings’ defensive line has been a major area of concern in recent seasons. The team needs a disruptive force to generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks and stop the run. Jalen Carter, a defensive tackle from Georgia, is one of the most highly touted players in the 2025 NFL Draft, and his performance at the combine will be closely monitored by the Vikings.

Carter has been a dominant presence for Georgia’s defense, playing a crucial role in their national championship run. With his exceptional strength, athleticism, and motor, Carter has the potential to be an immediate starter in the NFL. At 6’3″ and 310 pounds, Carter has the perfect size for an interior defensive lineman and shows elite quickness off the ball. He possesses great power and can shed blockers with ease. Additionally, his ability to collapse the pocket from the inside could make him a disruptive force that the Vikings desperately need.

While Carter’s raw physical tools are impressive, he will need to demonstrate his agility, flexibility, and quickness during drills at the combine. If he can show a solid combination of power and burst in his testing, he will solidify his place as a top defensive prospect. The Vikings are in desperate need of someone who can wreak havoc on the interior of opposing offenses, and Carter could be the player who helps them do just that.

2. Christian Gonzalez – Cornerback (Oregon)

The Vikings’ secondary has been another area of concern in recent seasons, particularly at cornerback. While the team has talented players like Patrick Peterson and Camryn Bynum, adding a young, dynamic cornerback who can help shut down opposing receivers is a pressing need. Christian Gonzalez, a cornerback from Oregon, is a player who could make an immediate impact for the Vikings if they target him in the draft.

Gonzalez is known for his impressive size and athleticism. Standing at 6’2″ and weighing 200 pounds, he has the ideal frame for an NFL cornerback. He has the speed and agility to keep up with top-tier wide receivers and excels in both man and zone coverage. Gonzalez is an instinctive player with great ball skills, showing the ability to track passes and make interceptions. His performance at the combine will be crucial for teams evaluating his top-end speed, agility, and explosiveness.

With a strong combine showing, Gonzalez could rise up draft boards, and the Vikings should consider him as a potential long-term solution at cornerback. He could form a formidable duo with Bynum, creating a more dynamic and versatile secondary for the defense.

3. Broderick Jones – Offensive Tackle (Georgia)

The Minnesota Vikings have an established group of skill players on offense, including star wide receiver Justin Jefferson and running back Dalvin Cook, but their offensive line has been a weak point in recent years. In particular, the tackle positions have been a source of inconsistency. With Kirk Cousins’ future uncertain and the Vikings potentially looking to upgrade at the quarterback position, protecting the passer will be an important priority. Enter Broderick Jones, an offensive tackle from Georgia, who has the size, strength, and skill to be an anchor on the offensive line.

At 6’4″ and 320 pounds, Jones is an imposing presence with the ability to both protect the quarterback and open up lanes in the run game. He has good mobility for a player of his size and uses his hands effectively in pass protection. Jones is a powerful blocker who excels in both the run game and in keeping defenders off his quarterback. His ability to neutralize edge rushers and consistently win at the point of attack makes him an intriguing prospect.

At the combine, Jones will have the opportunity to show off his strength and agility during drills. His performance in the 40-yard dash, shuttle drills, and bench press will give teams insight into his potential to excel at the next level. If the Vikings are looking for a player to solidify their offensive line and protect whoever lines up under center in 2025, Broderick Jones could be the right fit.

4. Zay Flowers – Wide Receiver (Boston College)

While the Vikings have one of the most dynamic wide receivers in the NFL in Justin Jefferson, they could use more depth at the position to complement him and give opposing defenses more to think about. Zay Flowers, a wide receiver from Boston College, is a player to watch at the combine, as his exceptional speed, agility, and playmaking ability could make him a perfect complement to Jefferson in Minnesota’s high-powered offense.

At 5’10” and 172 pounds, Flowers may not be the biggest receiver, but he more than makes up for it with his elite quickness and playmaking ability. He has shown the ability to make defenders miss with his precise route running and ability to create separation. Flowers has good hands and the speed to take the top off a defense, making him a valuable weapon in both the short and deep passing game. He’s a polished route runner with an explosive first step, making him difficult to cover.

At the combine, Flowers’ 40-yard dash time and agility drills will be closely watched, as his ability to separate from defenders is one of his greatest assets. If he shows that he can consistently burn defenders with his speed and agility, the Vikings could have a potential playmaker to pair with Jefferson and take their offense to the next level.

5. Trenton Simpson – Linebacker (Clemson)

While the Vikings have a solid group of linebackers, the position has been a bit of a question mark in recent seasons. Adding a dynamic linebacker who can play in coverage, rush the passer, and help stop the run would be a major boost to the defense. Trenton Simpson, a linebacker from Clemson, is a player to watch at the combine, as he brings elite athleticism and versatility to the table.

Simpson has a strong frame at 6’2″ and 225 pounds, and he has demonstrated the ability to play all three linebacker positions in college. His coverage skills are exceptional for a linebacker, and he has the speed and instincts to stay with running backs and tight ends in coverage. Additionally, he’s a physical tackler who can play in the box and help stop the run. Simpson’s combination of speed, size, and versatility makes him a highly intriguing prospect.

At the combine, Simpson will need to prove his athleticism in coverage drills and demonstrate his explosiveness in the 40-yard dash and agility drills. If he performs well, Simpson could quickly become a target for the Vikings as they look to bolster their linebacker corps and create a more versatile defense.

6. Isaiah Foskey – Edge Rusher (Notre Dame)

The Vikings have made strides in improving their pass rush, but they could still use another edge rusher to complement Danielle Hunter and Z’Darius Smith. Isaiah Foskey, an edge rusher from Notre Dame, is a player to watch at the combine, as he possesses the length, strength, and speed to be a disruptive force at the next level.

Foskey has shown the ability to get after the quarterback with regularity during his time at Notre Dame, finishing his college career with impressive sack totals. At 6’5″ and 260 pounds, he has the ideal size for an edge rusher and the ability to turn speed into power to beat offensive tackles. Foskey is quick off the ball and has the ability to make plays in both the run and pass game.

At the combine, Foskey’s performance in pass-rush drills and his times in the 40-yard dash and shuttle drills will be key. If he can show that he has elite first-step quickness and the ability to bend around the edge, Foskey could be a player the Vikings target to help bolster their pass rush and make the defense even more formidable.