The Minnesota Vikings were one of the surprise success stories of the 2024 NFL season, finishing with 14 wins under quarterback Sam Darnold. However, their playoff run was short-lived with a first-round exit. Now with Darnold off to Seattle, the Vikings are looking for a new formula to return to the postseason in 2025.
One potential path forward? Trading down in the 2025 NFL Draft. ESPN’s Ben Solak recently suggested that Minnesota should consider moving back in the draft to accumulate more picks, given their limited draft capital. “I don’t think there’s a world in which the Vikings get an A without some substantial trading down,” Solak wrote. He highlighted the fact that Minnesota currently has no picks in the second, fourth, or seventh rounds this year, and they’re also missing a fourth- and sixth-rounder in 2026.
At the moment, the Vikings only hold four selections in the 2025 draft, largely due to last year’s aggressive moves to trade up for both quarterback J.J. McCarthy and pass rusher Dallas Turner in the first round.
Fortunately, the core of the roster is solid and doesn’t require a complete overhaul. The main areas of need include finding a new starting safety to replace Camryn Bynum and upgrading the cornerback group. With the 2025 draft class offering depth at multiple positions, trading down could help the Vikings land more potential starters and build depth.
“Trade down. Accumulate future capital. Get a safety,” Solak concluded.
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