Mock draft tracker: The latest Vikings predictions from the experts

The Vikings filled plenty of their needs in free agency. What could they do in the draft?

Feb 25, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Teams across the NFL spent the first week of free agency drastically altering the looks of their rosters. None more so than the Vikings. Minnesota splashed cash in free agency, bolstering the offensive and defensive lines, and the cornerback room. It's set the stage for them to draft the best player available in the first round of the NFL draft on April 24.

We'll be tracking the latest mock draft predictions, so follow along for updates.

4/8 - ESPN - Donovan Jackson, IOL, Ohio State

The godfather of draft coverage himself, Mel Kiper, is back with a TWO-ROUND mock, and he has the Vikings nabbing Ohio State interior offensive lineman Donovan Jackson with the No. 24 pick.

"Minnesota signed guard Will Fries and center Ryan Kelly away from the Colts. It's a big improvement on the interior offensive line. Let's take it a step further. Jackson would replace Blake Brandel at the other guard spot, and he has the versatility to kick outside if needed. He did so this past season when Josh Simmons got hurt for Ohio State. That seems relevant given left tackle Christian Darrisaw is recovering from a left knee injury. Jackson is a plug-and-play interior blocker with great agility and technique; he allowed four sacks over 40 career starts," Kiper writes.

4/7 - The Athletic - Grey Zabel, IOL, North Dakota State

The trend appears to be shifting towards Minnesota taking an interior offensive lineman in the first round. The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner sees the Vikings running to the podium at No. 24, in order to select North Dakota State's Grey Zabel.

"Zabel was a true five-tool offensive lineman in college. He’s not long enough to be an every-day tackle in the NFL, but his ability to make things happen inside is undeniable. Zabel is a powerful, explosive, flexible athlete with elite football IQ," says Baumgardner.

4/4 - CBS Sports - Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

It's been a minute since we had a mock predict a safety to Minnesota at No. 24. CBS' Tom Fornelli sees the Vikings taking the top safety in the class, Malaki Starks, with their first-round selection.

"The Vikings only have four picks in this draft. I'm sure they'd love to trade down from this spot, but who's looking to trade up right now? Unless somebody's desperate to reach for a Jaxson Dart, it's unlikely. So the Vikings address a need in the secondary with my top safety in the class. Maybe they'll have better luck moving down on Friday or Saturday," says Fornelli.

4/4 - Vikings on SI - TRADE - Grey Zabel, IOL, North Dakota State

In a monster seven-round mock, our Will Ragatz has the Vikings dropping down six picks and landing some interior offensive line help in North Dakota State's Grey Zabel.

"Zabel feels like a pretty perfect target for the Vikings after everything they accomplished in free agency. There would be a clear path for him to start at left guard right away and address one of Minnesota's lingering question marks, provided he can beat out Blake Brandel in training camp. And because Zabel is capable of playing all five positions on the offensive line, his versatility would add depth across the board. He could play either tackle spot in a pinch (those were his two main positions in college), and he'd be a candidate to take over for Ryan Kelly at center in a couple years," wrote Ragatz.

4/4 - NFL.com - TRADE - Azareye'h Thomas, CB, Florida State

Vikings, once again, go corner, this time in Chad Reuter's FIVE ROUND mock. Reuter has the Vikings trading with the Chiefs, down to No. 31 to select Florida State corner Azareye'h Thomas. As the days continue to tick down to draft night, defensive back is an increasingly favorite selection for the Vikings among draft experts.

While Thomas' lackluster 40-yard dash (4.6 range) at Florida State's pro day might scare off some teams, the Vikings could really use his size on the outside to complement returning starter Byron Murphy Jr. and newly acquired Isaiah Rodgers," writes Reuter.

4/2 - The Athletic - Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

Using his insights as a college football insider, Bruce Feldman dropped his fifth annual mock draft on Wednesday. Feldman sees South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori as a perfect fit for the Vikings at No. 24 in this year's draft.

"I think the Vikings will go for the freak athlete Emmanwori from South Carolina over Georgia standout Malaki Starks. The 6-3, 220-pound Emmanwori put on an awesome display at the combine, vertical jumping 43 inches, broad jumping 11-6 and running a 4.38 40 with a 1.49 10-yard split to back up a staggering amount of production in the SEC. He made 88 tackles with four INTs and two pick sixes in 2024," said Feldman.

4/2 - ESPN - Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

Minnesota go cornerback in Field Yates' latest mock draft. After bringing back Byron Murphy Jr. on a big deal, and adding Isaiah Rodgers, this offseason, Minnesota still need at least one more corner heading into the 2025 season.

"Minnesota spent big to upgrade its defensive interior, but it also has to ensure its secondary does not drop off too much in 2025. The cornerback room lost Stephon Gilmore and Shaquill Griffin, and Byron Murphy Jr. -- who returned on a new deal-- is a better fit in the slot. Barron could claim one of the starting outside spots. He is one of the most instinctive players in the entire class, showing an ability to find the football from any alignment. His versatility would surely appeal to defensive coordinator Brian Flores, and he posted five interceptions and 10 pass breakups in 2024," says Yates.

4/1 - NFL.com - TRADE

Lance Zierlein sees the Vikings dropping out of the first round entirely, by trading down to grab the first pick in the second round (presumably with more added on) in a swap with the Browns.

3/28 - NFL.com - TRADE - Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

In need of picks, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah trades down to No. 32 (where have we heard that before?) and take a top cornerback prospect. NFL.com's Eric Edholm, has the Vikings making a draft night deal with the Super Bowl champion Eagles to gather more picks and still get a first-round corner.

"Moving back eight spots and landing a potential starting corner would be good work by the Vikings. Trading down would help Minnesota replenish a limited supply of draft picks (four at the moment). The Vikings could go with a guard here, but corner is the higher-priority position," wrote Edholm.

3/27 - NFL.com - Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

For his 2.0, NFL.com's Charles Davis has the Vikings adding safety help, this time though it's Georgia safety Malaki Starks.

"I've loved the moves made this offseason by GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, especially how he's added to the O-line and D-line. Now he lands the eventual successor for six-time Pro Bowl safety Harrison Smith," says Davis.

3/25 - NFL.com - Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

In his 3.0, Bucky Brooks sees the Vikings adding safety help with the No. 24 pick in the draft, adding South Carolina's Nick Emmanwori.

"Harrison Smith's decision to return for Year 14 allows Emmanwori to serve as an apprentice before taking over as a full-time starter in 2026," writes Brooks.

3/25 - CBS - TRADE - Grey Zabel, G/C, North Dakota State

CBS' Chris Trapasso once again has the Vikings dropping back in the first round to acquire more picks later. This time, Minnesota drop back to pick No. 30 and get some high-end interior line help with North Dakota State's Grey Zabel.

"After the slide back, in which they net this pick along with a fourth-round pick (No. 109), and a 2026 fourth-rounder, the Vikings pick the super-talented, small-school tackle who'll play guard in Minnesota. Ideal scheme fit," says Trapasso.

3/25 - ESPN - Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

Former NFL general manager Mike Tannenbaum put his GM hat on for every pick in the first round, landing on a top cornerback for the Vikings at pick No. 24.

"Getting Barron at this point in the first round would be outstanding value for Minnesota. He could excel in Brian Flores' defense after posting 20 pass breakups and eight interceptions over the past three seasons. Barron's versatility would be key for the Vikings, who signed Jeff Okudah and Isaiah Rodgers and re-signed Byron Murphy Jr. this month. He played as both a slot and outside corner last season, which means Minnesota could move him to fit what it needs," writes Tannenbaum.

3/24 - PFF - Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

Emmanwori is becoming a popular pick for the Vikings post-free agency. PFF's draft analyst Josh Liskiewitz has Minnesota selecting the South Carolina safety, who grabbed six interceptions in his three seasons for the Gamecocks.

"Emmanwori is a tricky prospect who will require a leap of faith, considering where he's likely to be drafted. His elite athleticism and playmaking ability suggest his ceiling could be on par with a player like Kerby Joseph, but his underwhelming box play and questionable technique and instincts are more reminiscent of Isaiah Simmons, who was drafted in the first round in 2020 but has struggled to find a natural NFL position," writes Liskiewitz.

3/21 - NFL - TRADE - Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

In Chad Reuter's mock 2.0, he has the Vikings trading down with the Bills to pick No. 30, also acquiring a pair of Day 3 picks, and selecting South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori.

"Minnesota could look at a cornerback here, but Emmanwori's value may be too good to pass up -- and the Vikings might have taken him if they'd stayed at No. 24. Stepping into the lineup at strong safety, this athletic freak also showed the quickness to play nickel while at South Carolina," writes Reuter.

3/20 - SI - Kelvin Banks Jr., OT/G, Texas

In similar fashion to The Athletic, SI pulled together contributors from their On SI network, including us, for a mock draft. Also in similar fashion, we had the Vikings taking Kelvin Banks Jr., though we stuck to No. 24 because there were no trades.

"A top-five talent sliding to 24? Yes, please. Banks not only has a chance to be an elite left tackle in the NFL, but the Vikings could slide him to left guard to 100% solidify the offensive line. Christian Darrisaw is returning from an ACL injury at left tackle, while Minnesota signed Ryan Kelly and Will Fries to play center and right guard, respectively. With Brian O’Neill a stalwart at right tackle, Banks is the missing piece for a near-perfect offensive front," wrote our own Joe Nelson.

3/20 - The Athletic - TRADE - Kelvin Banks Jr., OT/G, Texas

In a beat writers mock, The Athletic's Alec Lewis pulled off a trade down, sticking in the first round, and taking Texas tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. with the No. 32 overall pick. In the trade, Minnesota sent the No. 24 pick to Philadelphia for the No. 32 pick, a 2025 fifth-round pick, and a 2026 third-round pick.

"Banks could vie for the Vikings’ open left guard spot. He also has tackle potential, which might be necessary depending on the health of the position in the next couple of seasons. Both left tackle Christian Darrisaw and right tackle Brian O’Neill have navigated serious injuries in recent years," writes Lewis.

3/19 - CBS Sports - TRADE

Would you look at that. Our first trade of mock season. Filling many of their needs in free agency, and with a limited supply of picks this season, it is possible we could see Kwesi Adofo-Mensah wheel and deal during the draft to acquire more picks.

"Without many picks entering this draft, the Vikings will be motivated to move back. In this deal, they net No. 37 (second round), No. 68 (third round) and No. 215 (sixth round)," writes CBS' Chris Trapasso.

3/19 - Yahoo! - Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

For their 7.0 mock, Yahoo's Nate Tice and Charles McDonald stick with corner again, having had the Vikings take ECU's Shavon Revel Jr. in their 6.0.

"The Vikings have done a good job adding talent up front to their defense, but they could still use an upgrade at slot corner. Jahdae Barron is built to be an NFL slot defender and would form a nice tandem with the recently re-signed Byron Murphy," wrote Yahoo.

3/18 - NFL.com - Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

Daniel Jeremiah is back with his third mock and he has the Viking snagging South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori in the first round.

"With Harrison Smith entering Year 14, the Vikings go get a young safety with the ability to impact the game in a variety of ways," Jeremiah wrote.

3/18 - ESPN - Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

Mel Kiper Jr., in his mock 2.0, has the Vikings taking Texas standout corner Jahdae Barron in the first round.

"Barron... picked off five passes last season, showing his ball skills. He ran a 4.39 at the combine, showing his speed. And he played more than 600 snaps at both slot corner and outside corner over the past two seasons, showing his versatility. I really like this fit," Kipe said.

3/18 - FOX - Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

Starks appears to be a popular post-free agency pick for the Vikings. FOX's Joel Klatt also has the Vikings taking the Georgia star in the first round.

"The Vikings bolstered their interior on both sides of the ball in free agency, allowing them to draft Starks here. You've got to strengthen a pass defense that gave up the fifth-most passing yards last season. Starks can help there, showing great instincts," wrote Klatt.

3/17 - CBS Sports - Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

With Cam Bynum off to the Colts this offseason and Harrison Smith, potentially, in his final season, Minnesota could look to add a safety in the first round. CBS Sports' draft analyst Mike Renner has the Vikings taking a Georgia safety with the No. 24 pick. Mixing Georgia, safety and first round pick with Vikings fans doesn't bring back fond memories though.

"I just can't fathom the Vikings passing on Malaki Starks given how his versatility would play in Brian Flores' defense. The only thing stopping it is general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's track-record with Georgia safeties," wrote Renner.

3/17 - 33rd Team - Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon

The Vikings added a couple big veteran names to the interior of their defensive line in free agency. That doesn't stop them from adding a younger piece for the future in the first round in April. Kyle Crabbs over at the 33rd Team has Minnesota taking Oregon's Derrick Harmon with with No. 24 pick.

"Minnesota's overhaul of the trenches in free agency has been impressive to watch," wrote Crabbs. "Still, how much does Javon Hargrave have left in the tank? For one of the league's best rosters, getting young names in the pipeline to take over long-term is a must for Minnesota to sustain its window."

3/13 - Yahoo! - Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina

Yahoo's Nate Tice and Charles McDonald have Minnesota selecting East Carolina's Shavon Revel Jr. with their first-round pick.

"Revel didn't work out in Indianapolis as he puts the final touches on his ACL recovery, but he measured well and 6-1 cornerbacks with long arms, big hands and his type of athleticism don't come around very often. He's a great chess piece for Brian Flores' defens," wrote Yahoo.

3/12 - CBS Sports - Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

The Vikings brought back Byron Murphy Jr. and added Isaiah Rodgers to their CB room during the first week of free agency. They still could use some help in that room though. CBS' Chris Trapasso has Minnesota selecting talented Michigan corner Will Johnson in the first round.

"Even though the Vikings re-signed Byron Murphy and added Isaiah Rodgers, this would be too talented of a prospect for Minnesota to pass on," wrote Trapasso

3/5 - The Athletic - Kelvin Banks Jr., OT/G, Texas

Heading into free agency, one of the Vikings' biggest need is shoring up the interior of their offensive line. In his mock draft 1.0, The Athletic's Dane Brugler has Minnesota taking Texas' Kelvin Banks Jr., who is projected to move to guard in the NFL.

"The projection of Banks moving to guard was never about size, it was more about his play style. He has the tools to stay outside, but several teams see his best long-term position inside, which fits what the Vikings could be looking for with this pick," wrote Brugler.

2/25 - ESPN - Grey Zabel, G/C, North Dakota State

Heading into the Combine, the Vikings still need plenty of help on the interior of their offensive line. ESPN's Mel Kiper, in his mock 1.0, has Minnesota taking Bison standout Grey Zabel, who can play at either guard or center in the NFL.

"Enter Zabel, the ultimate swing man who can play anywhere. He played both tackle spots and both guard spots in college, and he took reps at center at the Senior Bowl -- where he quieted any concerns about his level of competition at North Dakota State by dominating. I love his pass-blocking fundamentals, and he's a Round 1-caliber player," wrote Kiper.

2/18 - NFL - TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State

With free agency still a month away, there remains some uncertainty over who will man the Vikings' backfield. NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah, in his mock 2.0, has the Vikings going running back with their first round selection, taking Ohio State stud TreVeyon Henderson.

"The Vikings have had an up-close look at what a dynamic runner can do for an offense that also features a loaded passing attack (SEE: Jahmyr Gibbs in Detroit). Minnesota finds its own RB weapon in Henderson, with Aaron Jones headed for free agency," wrote Jeremiah.