MAJOR-BREAKING: Vikings Predicted To Land Polarizing ‘All-World’ Prospect in 2025 Draft

With the 24th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings are in a prime position to select a top-tier defensive prospect. The Vikings’ defensive line has struggled to find a consistent interior pass rusher, and with three of their key defensive linemen set to become free agents, this offseason presents an ideal opportunity to secure a foundational player. On January 23, Athlon Sports’ NFL Draft expert, Luke Easterling, unveiled an updated three-round mock draft, linking the Vikings to a highly touted prospect in the trenches—though not without some concerns.

Easterling projected that Minnesota would select Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen at No. 24 overall, citing the Vikings’ need for both defensive line and secondary help. However, in this scenario, he believes the defensive line offers more valuable options. “A five-star recruit out of high school, Nolen possesses all-world talent, but he is still working to fully unlock it,” Easterling wrote. “He could become a dominant, disruptive force for Minnesota’s defensive coordinator Brian Flores, though it may require some patience.”

Nolen, originally ESPN’s top-rated recruit in the 2022 high school class, was widely regarded as one of the nation’s most promising young defensive talents, with many outlets ranking him second only to Travis Hunter. Over his two collegiate seasons at Texas A&M and Ole Miss, Nolen recorded 10.5 sacks and earned an impressive 91.6 run defense grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF), ranking second in the country and demonstrating his ability to be a complete player.

However, there are some red flags. According to A to Z Sports’ draft analyst, Ryan Roberts, Nolen has faced concerns regarding his effort and character. “The major questions surrounding him are effort and character, with the latter being especially troubling,” Roberts noted. “Several NFL teams have already removed Nolen from their draft boards due to these issues. He hasn’t been consistently disruptive enough to overlook these concerns.” Teams considering drafting Nolen will likely need to closely evaluate his interviews. If his stock falls, the Vikings might consider trading back in the draft to land him at a later spot.