Vikings 7-Round 2025 NFL Mock Draft: Final predictions for Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will leave Brian Flores thrilled

The NFL Draft is two days away, and the Minnesota Vikings are looking to improve their roster across the board. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has not had the best track record with the NFL Draft, with most of that coming from 2022, which has been widely viewed as a disaster. However, the first round pick from 2023 […]

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Feb 25, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center.
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The NFL Draft is two days away, and the Minnesota Vikings are looking to improve their roster across the board.

General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has not had the best track record with the NFL Draft, with most of that coming from 2022, which has been widely viewed as a disaster. However, the first round pick from 2023 and 2024 looks significantly better, as does the process to get those players.

What will the Vikings end up doing over draft weekend? There are a lot of different opinions on what they will end up doing, including a variety of positions. My final predictions are based on three things: need, talent, and the words of Adofo-Mensah.

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27. Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss

Scouting Report

The Vikings trade pick 24 to the Baltimore Ravens for picks 129 and 203

Minnesota Vikings proposed trade down with Baltimore Ravens
Minnesota Vikings proposed trade down with Baltimore RavensJoseph Hefner's trade calculator

A slight trade down makes all the sense in the world with only four picks. Finding a team to trade down with could prove to be difficult for the Vikings. There are a few teams who have been linked with a trade, but I think the Baltimore Ravens make a lot of sense, especially if one of the edge rushers at the top of the class falls to 24th overall.

One of the biggest needs on the Vikings is finding more impactful players, something that general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah mentioned in his press conference last week.

"We want to be in a place where we're proactive, not reactive. Impact-focused, not need-focused, and that's a credit to our stats, the vision and just the collaboration. We were able to put together a plan for where we're at."

That's where Nolen comes in. The number one recruit in the 2022 recruiting class, Nolen has the size and athleticism to thrive in the NFL, especially as a pass rusher. The Vikings haven't used a first-round pick on a defensive tackle since Sharrif Floyd in 2013, and he was on the verge of breaking out before a botched knee surgery after week one of the 2016 season.

Nolen could be an absolute force on the interior as a pass rusher with his combination of size and quickness while having some power in his hands. Plus, his ability to slant and stunt will be incredibly valuable for defensive coordinator Brian Flores, especially in terms of how he wants to rush the passer.

97. Cobee Bryant, CB, Kansas

Scouting Report

Cornerback is in such a weird place for the Vikings right now. Byron Murphy Jr. is the top guy in the room with some intriguing options behind him in Isaiah Rodgers and Mekhi Blackmon. Dwight McGlothern is another good developmental piece, but there isn't a lot of excitement.

Historically, the Vikings have loved to draft a cornerback around pick 100. Adofo-Mensah has done this in each of the last two years with Blackmon and Khyree Jackson. Bryant fits that motif as well. He is a little slender, but has the size and ball skills to thrive within Flores' scheme. Bryant can stay in the hip pocket of the receiver and attack the football at its highest point, while being able to crash downhill.

129. Miles Frazier, OG, LSU

Getting some depth on the interior offensive line is likely going to be a priority. Some believe they will take one in the first round with either Grey Zabel or Tyler Booker. The more likely scenario is taking one on day three.

Frazier is a solid player who had a nice career at LSU. He then thrived at the Senior Bowl, showing that he can be a solid player. Frazier likely is a backup for a year or two, but there is starting potential there.

139. Trevor Etienne, RB, Georgia

Scouting Report

This running back class is one that the Vikings need to take advantage of. Because they have Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason on the roster, Adofo-Mensah doesn't have to make it an early priority, but it should be one at some point in the NFL Draft.

Etienne is a very talented player who can thrive in multiple schemes with his burst and vision. Don't let his size fool you, Etielnne can run and catch the ball, with only one missed target coming on an inaccurate swing pass.

187. Oronde Gadsden II, TE, Syracuse

The Vikings have a tendency to bring in at least one player they hosted on a visit. That player this year is Gadsden, who was a top-30 visit. One position that the Vikings need to find depth at is at tight end. 

At this point in the draft, you are going to either find a player who is a good receiver or a good blocker. You rarely find both. The Vikings saw what Josh Oliver, who was only known as a receiving tight end at San Jose State, turn into an elite blocking tight end. The hope would be that Gadsden can grow as a blocker, because he's a really good pass catcher.

203. Chimere Dike, WR, Florida

This is a player that I've heard connected to the Vikings as far back as the Senior Bowl. One thing the Vikings need to do is find depth at wide receiver. Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are talented players with a continued future, but there is depth needed behind them. 

Dike is an intriguing prospect. After playing at Wisconsin, Dike spent his final season at Florida where he was finally given a bigger role as a wide receiver. He flourished in Billy Napier's offense, especially on crossing routes. Those will immediately translate to what Kevin O'Connell likes to do. Plus, he projects to be a really good special teams player.

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