Minnesota Vikings 7 round 2025 NFL Mock Draft: Brian Flores' defense gets fortified with star pass rusher

The Minnesota Vikings have clearly defined needs heading into the offseason: Defensive lineInterior offensive lineRunning backCornerback The order in which you stack the needs will depend on who you ask, but they are pretty obvious when you look at the roster.  If the Vikings choose to keep Sam Darnold, the Vikings will have less cap […]

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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The Minnesota Vikings have clearly defined needs heading into the offseason:

The order in which you stack the needs will depend on who you ask, but they are pretty obvious when you look at the roster. 

If the Vikings choose to keep Sam Darnold, the Vikings will have less cap space to spend on the free agent class, meaning that how they will spend their draft picks could end up being different.

In the first of our seven-round mock draft series, we take a look at how the Vikings will spend their four current draft picks.

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24. Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss

Scouting Report

The Vikings need a lot of different things as we head into the offseason. Right now, the biggest concern is with the offensive line. They struggled massively at the end of the season, especially on the interior. The other big need is on the interior of hte defensive line in terms of a pass rush.

Not only do they need someone who can generate pressure, they have to fit what defensive coordinator Brian Flores likes to do: stunt. Walter Nolen is a great addition to the Vikings in this sense, as he did a ton of stunting and slanting at Ole Miss. He also has excellent size (6'-3, 305 lbs) and athleticism to thrive in both Flores' and any scheme.

97. D.J. Giddens, RB, Kansas State

This is a loaded running back class with backs of all kinds of styles. There have been mock drafts sending running backs to the Vikings in the first round, but is it the best use of assets for the Vikings?

If they choose a more premium position in the first round, a running back with the compensatory third-round pick they get from losing Kirk Cousins would be a perfect spot. Giddens has good size, vision, and excellent balance to carve his way through the defense.

139. Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville

I loved Riley's teammate Jarvis Brownlee Jr. last year more than I did most prospects in that class. He made the All-Forno Team, and I might have liked Riley even more.

He's a physical beast at the line of scrimmage and continues that physicality throughout the route. He's a little older of a prospect and that physicality might end up hurting him as he's adjusting, but he can certainly thrive in the NFL, especially in man coverage.

161. Cobee Bryant, CB, Kansas

Kansas had one of the better passing defenses in the nation last year. Unfortunately, they couldn't stop the run. One of the reasons that the pass defense was so good was having Bryant on one side of the field.

He is a physical player who thrives at the catch point and plays in both man and zone coverage. Bryant is a player who could be a big riser throughout the draft process this year, especially if he tests well because the tape is good.

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