Can the Vikings survive with only four picks? This article breaks down the ideal outcome of the 2025 NFL Draft for the Minnesota Vikings. There will not be trades involved; however, if a trade-back is ideal, it will absolutely be mentioned along with a potential target.
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Round One (24th Overall) Dream Target: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Will Johnson could go anywhere in the first round, from fifth overall to 32nd, as seen in a recent mock draft by Mike Renner for CBS.
The Michigan product is getting lots of hate for not running a 40-yard dash, given questions over his athleticism. Combine that with a 4.33-second short shuttle (13th percentile), and the critics are getting all the fuel they need to keep on critiquing.
One has to wonder if he is still hurt. The former Wolverine was hampered by injuries this year, leading to a lot of missed time. When healthy, he is arguably the best player in the class. Draft day will show how confident NFL front offices are in the chances of returning to (and maintaining) a clean bill of health.
Honestly, outside of Johnson, there is no ‘dream target’ that outweighs a trade back. Pray that Kwesi cooks up an elite trade back and snipes Grey Zabel.
Round Three (97th Overall) Dream Target: Kyle Williams, WR, Washington State
Slot wide receiver is certainly not off the table for the Vikings. Jalen Nailor and Rondale Moore should not stop anyone from upgrading.
Some have Kyle Williams as high as the top 50 on their boards, but the consensus still ranges in that third-round territory. The Washington State product dominated in Mobile at the Senior Bowl nearly every rep he took.
The fluidity, acceleration, and route manipulation piqued the interest of most onlookers as their favorite defensive backs were left in the dust while Williams looked for the endzone.
Combine these unguardable traits with elite RAC ability, and it is no surprise that this prospect could go as high as the early-second round.
Round Five (139th Overall) Dream Target: Luke Kandra, G, Cincinnati
Even with the additions of Will Fries and Ryan Kelly, the left guard spot still needs some competition.
Luke Kandra is not a well-known name, but that does not diminish his talents. While he may not be the most athletic guard in the class, Kandra shows great promise in his efficiency and effectiveness in both gap and zone systems. His run blocking and anchor are spectacular, providing a great floor for early contribution.
Some have the Cincinnati product as high as the third round, but the current consensus is much lower. NFL teams may skew towards the higher end, but there is still a chance to add a difference maker at 139.
Round Six (187th Overall) Dream Target: Hollin Pierce, LT, Rutgers
It is safe to say not many teams get starters in round six, and that is perfectly fine. With the injury concerns associated with Christian Darrisaw, a backup left tackle is far more useful than it may appear.
Rutgers’ Hollin Pierce is an absolute mammoth at 6’8 341 lbs. Many would assume that he is just a calorie king who needs to shed weight to be an NFL athlete, but this is not remotely the case.
Well, he actually used to be. Pierce has had an incredible journey to getting in as good of shape as he is now.
There is a lot of room to grow, but the Rutgers product could be the steal of the draft.
Trading Down: Need or Should?
Obviously, with four picks, it will be tough to get a ‘studded’ draft class. Quality will always beat quantity, however.
Round one features very few talents that outweigh the value of moving back to select another player like Grey Zabel or Trey Amos; however, the draft always has some insane fallers. Sticking and picking could yield the best outcome.
Unfortunately, Vikings fans know the risk of trading back from failing not too long ago in the 2022 NFL Draft. Clearly, this would be a much different scenario, but the premise still stays the same: don’t pass on great talent for more talents.
