Last season, the Minnesota Vikings saw a mix of highs and lows in their secondary. While they led the NFL in interceptions with 24, they also allowed the fourth-most passing yards. With limited draft picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Vikings will need to make strategic selections to address their weaknesses. ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid suggests that Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron could be a key addition to strengthen their secondary. In his latest mock draft, Reid has the Vikings selecting Barron with the 24th pick.
Reid notes that the Vikings are likely to be active in free agency, particularly targeting defensive tackles. With only three draft picks, the team may look to trade back in the draft to gain more capital. If they address the interior defensive line in free agency, guard and cornerback would become their top priorities.
- Jahdae Barron
With all three starting corners (Byron Murphy Jr., Stephon Gilmore, and Shaquill Griffin) potentially becoming free agents, Barron could step in as an immediate starter. He has experience in every secondary position and played five seasons at Texas, starting 38 of 56 games. Last year, he won the prestigious Jim Thorpe Award for the best defensive back in college football and was a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy.
Meanwhile, Gilmore, a two-time first-team All-Pro, had just one interception in 15 starts for the Vikings and could be playing for his sixth team next season. Murphy, who joined from the Arizona Cardinals, earned six interceptions and made a Pro Bowl appearance last season. He tied for third in the NFL for most interceptions, behind only Kerby Joseph of Detroit (9) and Xavier McKinney of Green Bay (8).
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