Way too early 2025 NFL Mock Draft for the Minnesota Vikings

The 2024 NFL Draft is officially over. The Minnesota Vikings have hopefully landed their quarterback of the future in JJ McCarthy. They also hope they’ve found their long-term replacement for Danielle Hunter in Dallas Turner, who they stole at pick No. 17.

Now is the time to bask in the glow and potential of all the new players and what they will look like in that glorious shade of purple. It’s also a time to look ahead and even make a very early prediction about what the 2025 Viking draft could look like. They don’t have many picks at this point, but they are expected to get a fairly high compensatory pick that should net them an additional third-rounder.

While we will mention some players in this exercise, the real points are the positions that can be addressed. Minnesota addressed some needs in the 2024 draft but left some areas of concern untouched, at least when it comes to investing in a deep draft pick. So here’s a very early look at what the Vikings could do in the 2025 NFL Draft with the three picks they currently own.

First round pick

Mason Graham – DT (Michigan)

Quite a few draft experts, analysts and even fans thought the Vikings would target a beast of a defensive lineman in the 2024 NFL Draft. They were said to be high on Texas’ Byron Murphy II, but he was picked up by the Seattle Seahawks at pick No. 16, and then the Vikings opted to go with Turner because the value was too good to pass up lie.

They haven’t addressed the position with their remaining picks, and it will likely be the team’s primary need heading into the 2025 NFL Draft unless they upgrade it heavily in free agency. If they select a defensive tackle with their first pick, Michigan’s Mason Graham would be a great option.

Graham is 6 feet tall and 318 pounds. He is explosive from the start and is tenacious in his pursuit of the ball carrier. He has the strength to throw blockers out of the way and the athleticism to get close to the quarterback quickly. He was a key piece in a very impressive Michigan defense, tallying three sacks and seven and a half tackles for a loss a season ago.

It’s unclear where Minnesota will pick next year, but if they are able to land Graham, they should pull the trigger. He could be the dawg this defense is missing right now.

Pick No. 1 in the fifth round

Xavier Truss – OG (Georgia)

Like defensive tackle, guard was a big need in depth and wasn’t touched until very late. Guard will need to be upgraded again next year, especially if Blake Brandel struggles as the starter on the left side. It’s also unclear what Garrett Bradbury’s future with the team will be beyond next season, so the interior of the offensive line as a whole will emerge as an area of major need.

Xavier Truss of Georgia would be a good start to solving that problem. He is a behemoth of a man, standing 6 feet tall and weighing over 320 pounds. For a big man, he is extremely athletic and a natural knee bender. He needs some refinement with his footwork and technique, but has been tested by the SEC and that is always a big plus.

Truss can also kick out and play tackle when necessary. That positional flexibility is a big plus and a factor that could allow him to be drafted even higher.

Pick No. 2 in the fifth round

Noah Thomas – WR (Texas A&M)

Many assumed the Vikings would acquire a wide receiver at some point in the 2024 NFL Draft. It was never a primary need, with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison at the top of the list and Brandon Powell re-signed to work off the list. Minnesota also added Trent Sherrfield in free agency earlier this year, and they have young players like Jalen Nailor and Trishton Jackson on the roster.

Again, there wasn’t a huge need, but if the value presented itself, there was widespread speculation that they could add a name to this group. That hasn’t happened and it should become a much bigger concern in 2024.

The Vikings will need to add talent to the depth behind the two stars and why not add a huge target to the room? Noah Thomas is a huge player, standing 6 feet tall and weighing 200 pounds. He has great speed and burst for being so big and posted the best season of his career as he collected 29 catches for 359 yards and five touchdowns.

Thomas would bring elite size to Minnesota’s wide receiver room and would become a nice red zone target and safety net option for McCarthy. It will be interesting to see what he does in 2025 and how far he rises, but he would be a solid addition for the Vikings.

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