It’s an attention-grabbing look forward for the Minnesota Vikings, particularly on the quarterback place. Is Aaron Rodgers on their radar? Would they flip again to Kirk Cousins? Regardless, right here’s a five-round post-combine 2025 NFL mock draft, in response to the Professional Soccer Focus simulator.
A 14-3 season ended with a disappointing playoff loss. And the efficiency in that sport most likely despatched Sam Darnold packing. The Vikings have to attend till choose No. 24 within the draft to get a younger participant.
And here’s what the PFF simulator delivered.
Vikings get DT Walter Nolen in Spherical 1
This turned out to be a great begin for the Vikings. They wanted assistance on the line of defense, and the Mississippi product figures to be a man who can step in and play quickly, in response to evaluation by Professional Soccer Community.
“Walter Nolen is an athletic 3-technique defensive deal with, which is a precious asset in at present’s NFL,” PFN wrote. “Mix that together with his leap in manufacturing in 2024 and his top-notch pedigree, and it’s not arduous to see why many are excessive on him getting into the NFL. Though solely 21 years outdated, Nolen has proven enchancment as a technician over time, which has helped him make higher use of his freakish mixture of velocity and energy.
“He nonetheless has some extra improvement to do, however he has proven that he’s coachable, and that’s an vital trait for future success. With an NFL-ready body and in-game athleticism that’s properly above common for his place, Nolen figures to be an early-round choice within the 2025 NFL Draft. Gifted younger prospects with manufacturing at a Energy 4 degree don’t usually fall out of the primary spherical.”
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell mentioned the 2025 draft class is loaded on the offensive and defensive strains, in response to vikings.com.
“The vast majority of faculty soccer is now such an area sport,” O’Connell mentioned. “And all people all the time needs to speak in regards to the gamers who play in area with the ball in hand. Run after catch, the defensive buildings that must play towards that. The athleticism of the quarterback persevering with to be one thing that reveals up increasingly more and extra, particularly on the faculty degree.
“However I believe linemen, as properly, and that line-of-scrimmage sport has additionally translated to it being an area sport (predicated on) athleticism and totally different actions, and it is extra than simply energy and physicality,” O’Connell mentioned. “I am within the very preliminary phases of attending to know this 12 months’s group, however I can inform you that there is lots of versatility within the group.”
The Vikings didn’t have a choose in Spherical 2. They traded to get a slot in Spherical 3.
WR Savion Williams is the selection in Spherical 3
The Vikings take an opportunity right here as Williams didn’t set the world on hearth in 2024. However there’s some promise for the TCU product.
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“Savion Williams didn’t have the best alternative to showcase his full potential in TCU’s 2024 offense,” PFN wrote. “However his uncommon mix of dimension (6-foot-5, 225 kilos) and athleticism makes him one of the vital intriguing prospects in his class. With the best system, his pure capability might make him a standout playmaker on the subsequent degree.”
Looks as if a little bit of a dart throw. The odd factor is Isaiah Bond of Texas might have gone right here. If a crew needs to take a dart throw within the third spherical, Bond might be a greater guess than Williams due to his home-run capability.
The Vikings didn’t have a fourth-round choose.
Vikings come away with RB Jarquez Hunter in Spherical 5
It appeared like a very long time to attend for a operating again. However as a result of the Vikings re-signed Aaron Jones, maybe they felt a “challenge choose” may very well be the best transfer. The Auburn product has expertise.
“Jarquez Hunter was a four-year starter in faculty soccer’s hardest convention,” PFN wrote. “He has wonderful imaginative and prescient and consciousness between the tackles to acknowledge open lanes and reduce when wanted. Hunter has been a constantly productive receiver all through his faculty profession regardless of not being a pure route runner, however he has nonetheless proven he could make performs by the passing sport.
“(He’s) an explosive play creator who can constantly attain the second and third ranges of a protection, Hunter has above-average wiggle and elusiveness. He will be tough to deliver down as a result of his contact stability and lateral quickness. Ball safety is inconsistent, and he has seven profession fumbles. His move safety method nonetheless wants some refinement.”
Some ups. Some downs. All in all, not dangerous for a fifth-round choice.
With its second fifth-round choose, the Vikings grabbed tight finish Jackson Hawes of Georgia Tech. He’s no star move catcher, in response to nfldraftbuzz.com.
“NFL scouts looking for the following George Kittle will not discover their man in Hawes,” NFL Draft Buzz wrote. “However groups emphasizing a bodily run sport will uncover a late spherical gem who can contribute instantly in particular packages.”