We are currently in the eighth week of the 2025 calendar year, and the NFL Draft has already become the focal point of the football world. This week, the NFL Scouting Combine is underway, and the Minnesota Vikings are fully engaged in their search for the next standout player to join their ranks. Last year, their interactions with quarterback J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner led to their eventual drafting.
Over the first seven weeks, 35 players have been selected across 184 mock drafts, with a new addition emerging in the eighth week. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah highlights the Vikings’ need for a dynamic running back to complement their strong passing game, similar to Jahmyr Gibbs’ impact in Detroit. With Aaron Jones entering free agency, Minnesota is eyeing TreVeyon Henderson as a potential replacement.
Several prospects are being linked to the Vikings:
– **Donovan Jackson, OL, Ohio State**: CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso notes that Jackson’s size and agility make him a perfect fit for the Vikings’ stretch-run offense.
– **Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina**: Despite tearing his ACL in October, Revel’s athleticism and physicality in man coverage make him an intriguing option. CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson compares him to a mix of Sauce Gardner and Joey Porter Jr. in terms of size and play style.
– **Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas**: With experience both outside and in the slot, Barron is seen as a potential lockdown cornerback for the Vikings, as noted by Fantasy Pros’ Kurt Blakeway.
– **Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama**: Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett suggests that while the Vikings have other pressing needs, Booker could be a plug-and-play guard to bolster their offensive line.
– **Malaki Starks, S, Georgia**: Sports Illustrated’s Daniel Flick points out that Starks’ athleticism and versatility make him an ideal candidate to revamp Minnesota’s secondary, especially with Camryn Bynum and Harrison Smith’s futures uncertain.
– **Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss**: Pro Football Network’s Anthony Pasciolla highlights Nolen’s size and mobility as assets that could strengthen the Vikings’ run defense, which struggled against Detroit in the playoffs.
– **Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame**: Despite a hip injury, Morrison’s size and ball skills make him an appealing option for the Vikings’ cornerback room, according to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Jacob Camenker.
– **Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina**: College Football Network’s Kade Nix praises Emmanwori’s instincts, suggesting he could be a key piece in rebuilding Minnesota’s secondary.
– **Jihaad Campbell, ILB, Alabama**: The Draft Network’s Daniel Harms envisions Campbell as a versatile linebacker who could thrive under defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ aggressive schemes.
– **Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon**: The Tennessean’s Nick Suss identifies offensive line as the Vikings’ biggest need, with Conerly potentially providing stability for either Sam Darnold or J.J. McCarthy.
– **Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina**: A to Z Sports’ Destin Adams sees Hampton as a potential day-one starter who could significantly improve Minnesota’s run game.
– **Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon**: Daft on Draft’s Cory Kinnan suggests Harmon could address the Vikings’ need for a disruptive interior defender.
– **Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan**: NFL.com’s Gennaro Filice describes Grant as a “freak athlete” who could bolster Minnesota’s defensive line.
– **Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo**: Vikings Wire’s Andrew Harbaugh views Alexander as a potential game-wrecker in the middle of the defense.
The table below summarizes the number of selections for each prospect across mock drafts:
| Prospect | Selections |
|————————|————|
| CB Shavon Revel Jr. | 25 |
| CB Jahdae Barron | 25 |
| CB Benjamin Morrison | 25 |
| DT Walter Nolen | 18 |
| DT Kenneth Grant | 17 |
| DT Derrick Harmon | 15 |
| OG Tyler Booker | 14 |
| S Nick Emmanwori | 14 |
| S Malaki Starks | 9 |
| CB Trey Amos | 5 |
| DT Tyleik Williams | 5 |
| RB Ashton Jeanty | 4 |
| EDGE Shemar Stewart | 4 |
| RB Omarion Hampton | 4 |
| LB Jihaad Campbell | 4 |
| CB Azareye’h Thomas | 3 |
| OT Josh Conerly Jr. | 3 |
| OL Donovan Jackson | 3 |
| CB Darien Porter Jr. | 2 |
| RB Quinshon Judkins | 2 |
| RB TreVeyon Henderson | 2 |
| OT Emery Jones Jr. | 1 |
| OG Tate Ratledge | 1 |
| EDGE Landon Jackson | 1 |
| OL Marcus Mbow | 1 |
| OT Josh Simmons | 1 |
| EDGE Mykel Williams | 1 |
| OT Jonah Savaiinaea | 1 |
| RB Kaleb Johnson | 1 |
| CB Maxwell Hairston | 1 |
| CB/WR Travis Hunter | 1 |
| DT Omarr Norman-Lott | 1 |
| DT TJ Sanders | 1 |
| OT Armand Membou | 1 |
| DT Deone Walker | 1 |
| DT Darius Alexander | 1 |
| **Total** | **213** |
This article originally appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.
Leave a Reply