Minnesota Vikings NFL Scouting Combine Preview: Offense could be a focus early in the NFL Draft, making these prospects priority watches

Don’t be surprised if the Minnesota Vikings go offense early in the NFL Draft.

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love (4) celebrates after getting a first down in the first half of a NCAA football game against Southern California at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in South Bend.
MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

We have finally reached the week of the NFL Scouting Combine. This is going to be the most important week when it comes to learning both about NFL Draft prospects and how free agency could shape out.

The free agent chatter is behind the scenes, as the NFL Draft prospects are on full display. For the Minnesota Vikings, their needs are focused more on the defensive side of the football. Even so, adding more talent to maximize J.J. McCarthy or whoever starts for head coach Kevin O’Connell.

If the Vikings do go offense in round one or two, these are the likely players they could target.

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

Scouting Report

One position that the Vikings need to find a way to upgrade is the running back spot. Aaron Jones is a talented player but is injured too much, and Jordan Mason is much better as a complementary 1b. Love represents an alpha-type running back, and it’s something the Vikings need to have at some point.

If you are going to take a running back in the first round, you need that player to test as well as the on-field athleticism is on film. If the testing matches the film, the Vikings would feel a lot better about taking him at 18th overall.

Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

One of the big questions surrounding the Vikings is the future of T.J. Hockenson. There is a large portion of the fanbase that wants to move on from him this offseason, and it’s hard to blame them for feeling that way. Due to a myriad of factors, with most out of his control, Hockenson’s production dropped significantly. That’s not what you want to see from a player who is set to earn a cap hit north of $21 million.

Sadiq is the top tight end, and will likely be available when the Vikings pick at 18th overall. At 6-3 and 245 pounds, Sadiq is a versatile weapon in the passing game, thriving running up the seam and at the catch point. The big things for him will be measuring in at those numbers or better, while testing as athletic as he looks on film. If they do move on from Hockenson, Sadiq would be the top option to replace him.

KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

Scouting Report

The wide receiver position isn’t one that the Vikings are likely to prioritize early on. The only thing that could change that is a potential Jordan Addison trade, which has been widely discussed among fans and analysts, but there isn’t any signal that it will happen.

If they do choose to move on from Addison, the most likely player to replace him would be Concepcion. He thrives in every area that you could ask for with a Kevin O’Connell offense: explosive, precise route runner, and can stretch the field vertically. He would thrive in the offense just like Addison did.

Jake Slaughter, C, Florida

One position the Vikings need to look at is center. Ryan Kelly is far from a certainty to return next year, and if he doesn’t, the Vikings have just Blake Brandel and Michael Jurgens on the roster. They delivered inconsistent results during their time at center this season.

Slaughter is one of the better centers in this class, but there are questions about his athleticism. Proving himself with athletic testing and the positional drills will make a difference with his draft stock.

Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington

Scouting Report

Running back isn’t the strongest this year in the NFL Draft. After Love, it’s a couple of players who possibly could go in round two, but it’s likely to see the second running back go outside of the top 50. That could change at the combine with some explosive drills.

Coleman has done a ton of work on his body over the last year, and was listed at 5-8 and 229 pounds during his final season at Washington. The biggest question with Coleman is his long speed. If he can come out of the gates with good jumps and run under a 4.6-second 40-yard dash, he could sneak up the draft board.

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