Live updates: Tracking Vikings 2025 NFL draft rumors, speculation, more

The NFL draft is here and the Minnesota Vikings could be a key chess piece in Round 1 as they may be perfectly positioned to field trade offers from teams trying to jump back into the first round for a quarterback.

We'll be tracking the rumors and speculation all day long. Keep checking back for more.

Related: Final Minnesota Vikings mock drafts from the NFL’s most trusted experts
Related: Chase Daniel predicts Vikings trade for Kirk Cousins; timing this summer?

6:40 p.m. — Kirk Cousins "more likely than not" remaining with Falcons into training camp

Because we've covered the reported possibility of a Kirk Cousins trade during the draft — and the Vikings perhaps being involved, this is notable: NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says "as of now, it appears more likely than not that the Falcons will keep Kirk Cousins as their backup into training camp. But things, of course, can change."

5:40 p.m. — Offensive line a "hot" position tonight?

FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz believes offensive line will be a "hot" position on Thursday night, saying "several players projected for late Round 1 or early Day 2 could come off the board earlier than expected." If true, that could be significant for the Vikings, who might be in the market for a new left guard. It'll be particularly interesting to see where NDSU's Grey Zabel, Alabama's Tyler Booker, and Ohio State's Donovan Jackson come off the board.

5:30 p.m. — Browns would prefer to keep pick 33

According to ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler, Cleveland would prefer to keep the 33rd overall pick "due to the Day 2 leverage that pick affords." That's notable in that the Browns have been mentioned as a possible trade partner for the Vikings, if GM Andrew Berry wants to move up to 24 for a quarterback like Shedeur Sanders or Jaxson Dart. Berry and Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah remain close from their time together in Cleveland.

4:54 p.m. — Vikings have explored moving back into the top of the second round

SI's Albert Breer reported Minnesota were among a number of teams that have explored moves down to the late first round and even into the top of round two. Breer added that teams "looking to come up for a QB from the top of 2, they'll be able to find a trade partner."

2:46 p.m. — Vikings talking trade back?

The Draft Network's Ryan Fowler notes that the Vikings are among several teams "talking trade back." Fowler mentions Tennessee and Buffalo as teams that could be looking to trade up, with the Titans looking for a WR while the Bills could look to move up if Texas CB Jahdae Barron slips.

Fowler also mentioned Gophers tackle Aireontae Ersery among a group of "potential surprise" names that could be Day 1 selections.

11:11 a.m. — McCarthy pounding the table for Booker?

"J.J. McCarthy has been pounding the table for his high school teammate from IMG Academy.," says KSTP-TV's Darren Wolfson, via SKOR North. "The sense I get — I don't feel really strong about this — is that Tyler Booker is not going to be there at 24."

9:56 a.m. — Vikings asking around about veteran corners?

That's the word from SI's Albert Breer, who in his mock draft — he has Minnesota taking Alabama guard Tyler Booker at 24 — mentioned the Vikings "have also asked other teams on the availability of veteran corners."

Minnesota's cornerback room is currently headlined by Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, Jeff Okudah, Mekhi Blackmon, and Dwight McGlothern. They re-signed Muprhy while adding Rodgers and Okudah in free agency. Blackmon is coming back from a torn ACL and McGlothern was an undrafted training camp standout last year.

9:44 a.m. — Browns move up to get Shedeur Sanders?

A few days ago, the odds favored Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders going in the top 10 picks of hte draft. He now appears to be falling, and that could open the door for the Vikings to be a prime trade-up spot for teams if Sanders is still on the board when Minnesota goes on the clock with the 24th pick.

In a mock draft from Sports Illustrated, that scenario plays out and the result in the mock is Cleveland trading the first pick in the second round (33rd overall) and picks 67 (third round) and 179 (sixth round) for 24 to take Sanders.

9:21 a.m. — Goessling identifies three possibilities for Vikings at 24

Ben Goessling has been covering the Vikings for a long time, and in his draft day primer for the Star Tribune he predicts the Vikings will take Georgia safety Malaki Starks with the No. 24 selection. He also named NDSU offensive lineman Gray Zabel and Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon as possiblities at 24.

8:17 a.m. — Lewis has eyes on multiple first-round options

In his mock draft for The Athletic, Alec Lewis has the Vikings taking NDSU offensive lineman Gray Zabel. In his previous mock, he had the Vikings going with Alabama guard Tyler Booker. But he also raised some interesting questions about what Minnesota will do if Michigan All-American cornerback Will Johnson is available, and "how would the Vikings react if Zabel, Booker, (Donovan Jackson), (Kelvin Banks Jr.) and a defensive tackle like Derrick Harmon weren’t available?"