Minnesota Vikings Day 1 NFL draft live blog: Updates, rumors, analysis

The night we've been waiting for has arrived. The first round of the 2025 NFL draft is almost underway (7 p.m. CT on ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network). What will Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, Kevin O'Connell, and the Minnesota Vikings do? Will they stay put at 24 or trade down, possibly out of the first round entirely? We're about to find out.

Chances are, the Vikings themselves still don't know exactly how this thing is going to play out. They've spent months studying prospects and setting their draft board, but there are 31 other teams whose decisions can't be predicted. All the Vikings can do — and have done — is prepare as much as possible for all kinds of different scenarios, in the hopes of ensuring they leave the night satisfied with their move no matter what happens.

We'll be here to follow it all as the night unfolds, starting with the Tennessee Titans being on the clock with the No. 1 overall pick. Most of what happens will be relevant to the Vikings, even in the first few picks. If Shedeur Sanders starts to fall, could he make it to 24 — and thus entice a QB-needy team to send the Vikings a hefty trade offer? As soon as the back end of the top ten and the early teens, prospects could start to come off the board that Minnesota had real interest in.

As you wait for the 24th pick to approach, here's some of our Vikings draft preview content:

Below, we'll have live updates and analysis on the picks and rumors that come in throughout the night.

Day 1 Vikings draft updates

10:43 p.m. — The final pick of the night is Ohio State OT Josh Simmons (the player Donovan Jackson replaced at LT last season) to the Chiefs at 32. Much more to come on the Vikings' first-round pick!

10:20 p.m. — At 28, the Lions select Ohio State DT Tyleik Williams, a premier run-stopper. He'll face off against former teammate Donovan Jackson twice a year in the NFC North.

10:09 p.m. — Fascinating that the teams at 25 and 26 both traded down and out of the first round. The Vikings clearly passed up on those offers to take their guy at 24. Last three picks have been Jaxson Dart (Giants), James Pearce Jr. (Falcons), and Malaki Starks (Ravens).

9:50 p.m. — The Vikings stay put at 24 and pick Ohio State G Donovan Jackson! Full story here.

9:43 p.m. — Finally, a first-round receiver for the Packers. They take Matthew Golden from Texas at 23. The Minnesota Vikings are on the clock.

9:35 p.m. — A second RB has come off the board before a second QB, as UNC's Omarion Hampton goes to the Chargers at 22. Packers now on the clock at 23, with Vikings to follow...

9:24 p.m. — Oregon DT Derrick Harmon goes to the Steelers at 21. He felt like a very possible pick for the Vikings. Shedeur Sanders is still on the board if a team wants to trade up.

9:21 p.m. — Last two picks have been WR Emeka Egbuka to the Bucs and CB Jahdae Barron to the Broncos. Vikings just a few picks from being on the clock...

9:09 p.m. — Lots of trade chatter regarding teams looking to move down and teams potentially coming up for a QB. Vikings could fit the bill there. Maybe Browns (33 and 36) or Giants (34)?

A ton of activity at the bottom of this draft with teams looking to trade down… couple of QB-needy teams are making calls….
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 25, 2025

9:05 p.m. — No trade for Seattle. They take NDSU OL Grey Zabel. Between Zabel and Tyler Booker, the top two interior OL are off the board.

9:02 p.m. — Texas A&M EDGE Shemar Stewart goes to the Bengals at 17. And at 18, the Seahawks are reportedly talking trades.

8:53 p.m. — Ole Miss DT Walter Nolen goes to the Cardinals at 16. That's a third defensive tackle taken tonight. Does Oregon's Derrick Harmon make it to Minnesota at 24?

8:46 p.m. — The Falcons stop Georgia LB Jalon Walker's slide at 15. Eight picks left until the Vikings are on the clock...

8:35 p.m. — Another possible Vikings target off the board: Michigan DT Kenneth Grant to the Dolphins at 13. That would've been a fun one for Brian Flores. Will Derrick Harmon and/or Walter Nolen make it to 24? (Also, Penn State TE Tyler Warren to the Colts at 14).

8:27 p.m. — The first realistic potential Vikings target has come off the board tonight. It's Alabama OG Tyler Booker (J.J. McCarthy's high school teammate) to the Cowboys at 12. That's higher than most thought he would go. Will NDSU's Grey Zabel make it to the Vikings?

8:11 p.m. — Chicago's first pick of the Ben Johnson era is Michigan TE Colston Loveland. He goes over Penn State's Tyler Warren as the top TE off the board. And at 11, the 49ers are taking Georgia edge rusher Mykel Williams.

8:07 p.m. — Texas OT Kelvin Banks goes to the Saints at 9. That's three offensive tackles off the board in the first nine picks. Bears are on the clock.

8:01 p.m. — In the first slight surprise of the night, the Panthers are taking Arizona WR Tet McMillan with the 8th pick. Some thought he might fall.

7:54 p.m. — Missouri OT Armand Membou is the pick for the Jets at 7. No major surprises yet, outside of the Browns-Jags trade.

7:44 p.m. — The Raiders are taking Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty at 6. That means he isn't headed to the Chicago Bears, which feels like good news for the Vikings.

7:38 p.m. — The Browns are taking Michigan DT Mason Graham at 5. There had been some speculation that he could fall a bit, but that didn't happen.

7:33 p.m. — LSU OT Will Campbell to the Patriots at 4. The Browns are back on the clock, and they're considering trading down again, according to Dianna Russini.

7:30 p.m. — Another expected one: It's Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter to the Giants at 3.

7:20 p.m. — The Jaguars moved up for Colorado two-way Heisman winner Travis Hunter. What an aggressive move from new Jacksonville GM James Gladstone.

7:15 p.m. — And now a huge trade. The Browns have moved down from 2 with the Jaguars (5), with Jacksonville trading their second-rounder and next year's first-rounder to move up three spots.

7:14 p.m. — We are underway! As expected, the Titans have picked Miami QB Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick to get things going. Now the intrigue starts...