2025 Minnesota Vikings Draft Profile

Team Needs: Safety, CB, DL, HB

The road to Super Bowl LIX looked like it was going to go through the Minnesota Vikings. Their 14-win regular season was one of the best marks in the league, and they looked unstoppable. Kevin O’Connell has solidified himself as one of the bright young coaches in the NFL and now and he will look to continue that trend in 2025. 

Minnesota revamped their offensive line and have made some additions by subtraction this offseason. The team will now look to build around their young players through the draft and make a run at a championship.    

 

Possible Targets

Malaki Starks – Safety, Georgia

Devin Neal – Halfback, Kansas

Jabbar Muhammad – Cornerback, Oregon

 

The defense took a big hit in the offseason as Minnesota lost both Cam Bynum and did not retain Stephon Gilmore. Both played a major part in why the team was so successful in 2024 and the team will need to find a way to replace them. The draft class has some solid secondary players in it, and they could target one in the early goings.

Georgia players have been some of the more reliable prospects in recent drafts. This year’s crop may have produced one of the best safeties in a while in Malaki Starks. 

Starks plays a very versatile style, being able to lock up slot receivers in man coverage and take away deep shots as a centerfielder. He can come into Minnesota and man either spot for them, instantly improving the defense. Similar to Bynum, he is a solid tackler and isn’t afraid to make his presence felt in the run game. Starks is a top end talent that may fall in the first round, making him a steal for the Vikings and Brian Flores’ defense. 

O’Connell’s offense needs versatile running backs to make it go. Last season saw a significant drop-off when Aaron Jones wasn’t on the field, which was exposed in the playoffs. Minnesota will need to look to add a second back that can develop into a full-time starter in the future.   

One of the most versatile and exciting backs in the draft is Kansas standout Devin Neal. Neal plays a very similar brand of football to Jones as he is a threat as a runner and in the passing game. Getting him as the spell back to Jones could pay dividends as it will keep both healthy and allow the offense to flow no matter who is in the backfield.  

As mentioned before, Gilmore most likely isn’t returning to the team in 2025. His man coverage ability is invaluable, and the Vikings will need to find a replacement for him.

Jabbar Muhammad is as close to a shut down man coverage corner as you can get late in the draft. His strength in press man and stout tackling ability is solid. Seeing as Byron Murphy Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers will be holding down two spots in the secondary, Muhammad can come in and compete for playing time in the third spot. Getting a player like this would give Minnesota tremendous value for a low price. 

The next step for Minnesota is a run at a championship and the vehicle for that run could come through the draft.