Simulating the 2025 Vikings draft

Taking our first swing (of many) at projecting how the Vikings might approach the draft

© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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By Matthew Coller

Welcome to draft season, everyone. Throughout the coming months, we’ll be doing a number of projected drafts using PFF’s draft simulator. CLICK HERE to give it a try yourself.

Let’s get started…

A trade down

The Vikings are entering this draft with only three draft picks — their first rounder and two fifth-round picks. However, PFF’s simulation includes a projected third-round pick that the Vikings will get as compensation for Kirk Cousins leaving in free agency last season.

The Vikings could potentially pick up more draft picks by trading quarterback Sam Darnold but since we don’t yet know how they will approach the QB position, we will focus on acquiring more draft capital by trading down.

In this sim, the Vikings move down from No. 24 to the 32nd overall pick and add No. 96 and 132 in the process. If we use the traditional trade value chart, the 24th pick is worth 740 points and the three Kansas City picks are worth 746 points.

While Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah got burned on his first attempt to trade down back in 2022, he shouldn’t let that get in the way of moving back this time, particularly because the circumstances are different. In that instance they slid back from No. 12 to 32, which took them out of the range of the draft that produces the most talent. In this situation there are a number of quality prospects at Vikings positions of need that are projected to be available at the end of the first round.

Here’s how the picks played out…

About the picks….

Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss: At 6-foot-1, Amos brings size to the position to go along with his experience. He has played nearly 1,800 snaps over the last three seasons and made progress along the way, increasing his PFF grade from 71.5 in 2022 to 76.9 in 2023 to 85.7 in 2024. Amos picked off three passes, allowed just a 51.6% completion percentage into his coverage and produced a high PFF run defense grade.

Prior to free agency, the Vikings are severely lacking at the corner position. All three starters are free agents and they only have 2023 third-rounder Mekhi Blackmon and 2024 UDFA Dwight McGlothern in the pipeline. Picking Amos could give them an opportunity to build a long-term secondary rather than the patchwork CB units that they have run out since Trae Waynes and Xavier Rhodes left.

RJ Harvey, RB, UCF: There is an enormous sample size of the 5-foot-9 running back putting up great numbers. He has averaged more than 6.0 yards per carry in three straight seasons, including 6.8 YPC last year. Each of the last two seasons he has 2,995 total rushing yards, 38 touchdowns and 39 receptions.

The Vikings only have Ty Chandler under contract in the backfield. Even if they bring back veteran Aaron Jones, they still do not have a clear multi-year option or explosive player in the backfield that they can pair with the veteran. For an offense that has so many weapons, the one thing that has been missing over the last three years is a running back who creates big plays. They are 32nd in runs over 20 yards since 2022.

Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo: A standout at the Senior Bowl, Alexander was a production machine at Toledo over the last two years. He ranked sixth in college football QB pressures among DTs in 2024 and third in 2023. Alexander is also listed at 6-foot-4, 310 pounds and graded 90.3 vs. the run this season, so he does not appear to be a one-dimensional rusher.

The Vikings did a good job patchworking together the DT position this year and produced one of the top run defenses in the league but they were unequipped to create pressure without sending extra rushers up the middle. Alexander has the potential to change that if he can make a quick adjustment to the NFL.

Willie Lampkin, G, North Carolina: Another very experienced player, Lampkin has started at left guard, right guard and center over the last three seasons for UNC and increased his PFF grades each year. During his entire college career, he has allowed one sack and he gave up just eight QB pressures last season at left guard. Lampkin was also a standout at the Senior Bowl. His resume might normally put him toward the top of the draft but the fact that he’s only 5-foot-11 could cause a lot of teams hesitation.

The Vikings are likely to fill their guard spots in free agency but they need to continue building a bullpen of young linemen who can be the next wave of starters or quality depth.

Cobee Bryant, CB, Kansas: Over the last three seasons as a starter, Bryant has 11 interceptions. He also graded last year as one of the top run defending corners in college football, which is needed in order to thrive in a Brian Flores system. Bryant’s height is a plus but he’s only listed at 175 pounds, which may drop him to Day 3.

Cornerback depth is absolutely vital in the NFL with the number of injuries at that position. We also routinely see mid-to-late round corners emerge, so the Vikings should be taking swings at them every year.

Elijah Roberts, ED, SMU: Roberts ranked No. 2 in college football in QB pressures in 2023 among edge rushers and tied for sixth in 2024. He is listed at 295 pounds, which could make him a good candidate to shift inside or use as a tradition 3-4 type defensive end type.

At this point, nobody is drafting for need. Roberts is a fascinating player because of his college production and unique size.