A post-free agency Vikings draft sim

The Vikings signed a lot of players.... how does that impact their draft strategy?

© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

---

By Matthew Coller

The Minnesota Vikings were one of the most active teams during the first week of free agency, bringing in two new offensive linemen, two new defensive linemen, a cornerback, a running back and keeping two of their own defensive backs via extension. Does that narrow down where the Vikings will go in the NFL Draft or does that open up the door for more possibilities?

Let’s do a simulation of the draft using the PFF Mock Draft Simulator and find out…

A trade down

The Vikings’ aggressive approach to free agency gives them even more leeway to trade down because they aren’t aiming to fill a single need at a particular position.

In this sim, we moved down from the 24th pick to the 33rd selection and picked up No. 94 and No. 179 from the Cleveland Browns. Using the traditional Jimmy Johnson draft value chart, the point totals would be Minnesota giving up 740 points and getting back 723 points. A fairly even trade. By the OverTheCap analytical draft value chart, the Vikings scored much better, nearly doubling their value.

Here’s how the picks turned out…

About the picks:

G, Grey Zabel — The 6-foot-5, 312-pound versatile lineman flashed his athleticism at the NFL Combine, confirming the idea that the NDSU standout could hang at the NFL level physically. Last year he only gave up seven QB pressures at left tackle and had a 93.1 PFF pass blocking grade. As an interior O-lineman, he could be a force. The Vikings currently have options at left guard but putting Zabel in the mix with four outstanding veterans would give him a chance to grow and the O-line an opportunity to be great if it clicks early.

S, Lathan Ransom — With Harrison Smith returning, there isn’t an immediate need for a difference-making safety but the day will eventually come that the All-Pro walks away and it would benefit the Vikings to have someone developed and ready to roll right away when the legend does exit. Ransom was a monster box safety for the Buckeyes, grading 93.5 by PFF vs. the run. He isn’t the fastest but his tenaciousness fits with Brian Flores.

CB, Dorian Strong — The playmaking DB has five interceptions over the last two years and gave up just 36 completions on 91 targets. He is known as having good zone coverage skills and being highly competitive. Even with Byron Murphy Jr. returning and Isaiah Rodgers signing, the Vikings still need more corners who can be developed into eventual starters or quality depth.

WR, Kyle Williams — A fifth-round flier on the highly-productive Washington State product would be worth the investment in hopes of adding more depth behind Jalen Nailor. Williams is undersized but ran a 4.4 40-yard dash and produced one of the best grades vs. man coverage in the draft. He was also a big play threat for the Cougars, averaging 17.1 yards per reception.

DT, Tonka Hemingway — Who isn’t drafting a DT named Tonka Hemingway? He is undersized and 23 years old but has several years of quality production, including a top-notch pass-rush win rate (10.7%) in 2024. His stock rose after the Combine where he produced strong quickness numbers.

RB, Bhayshul Tuten — Speed, speed, speed. Tuten crushed the Combine with a 4.32 40-yard dash. That backs up his production at VT, where he went for 1,150 yards at 6.3 yards per carry.

Other players they could have picked at 33:

G, Tyler Booker

DT, Tyleik Williams

S, Xavier Watts

DT, TJ Sanders

CB, Shavon Revel

CB, Trey Amos

G, Donovan Jackson

DT, Omarr Norman-Lott

CB, Darien Porter

Takeaway:

The clear conclusion from the other options with the 33rd pick is that the Vikings could still trade down even farther and find players who would fit the roster. Particularly at cornerback, it seems that there aren’t many top flite prospects in the first, which could open the door for the Vikings moving back and still getting a player like Amos, Revel or Porter. The need at CB isn’t as strong after Byron Murphy Jr. re-signed but it still has some remaining uncertainty with Mekhi Blackmon and Isaiah Rodgers the next men up.

Guard is the other spot that has quality in the second round with Booker and Jackson available. It’s possible that Booker’s mediocre Combine could benefit a team that likes him on tape.

Players they passed on by trading down: