The Minnesota Vikings find themselves in an interesting spot. After a stellar free agency period during which they got stronger at almost every position, there isn’t an obvious position of need for them at pick 24 — unlike last season, when everyone expected them to take a quarterback early.
Experts differ on who the Vikings will select in the first round, if they even make a selection. Some expect them to trade out and recoup some of the value they have lost in the middle rounds.
With the draft just seven days away, let’s see who these experts think the Vikings will select in Round 1.
Mel Kiper and Field Yates (ESPN+)
Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State
The Vikings knew they had to address the interior this offseason and went out and signed guard Will Fries and center Ryan Kelly. But Jackson would represent an upgrade over Blake Brandel at the other guard spot. Jackson has some really strong movement traits.
Kiper and Yates have the Vikings rounding out their interior offensive line by adding Donovan Jackson to an already improved room. Kevin O’Connell has made it clear that the Vikings would look to improve their offensive line.
Adding Jackson to the mix allows them to have a solid starting five on the offensive line and two good backups in Brandel and free-agent addition Justin Skule.
Marc Ross (NFL)
Jahdae Barron, DB, Texas
The Vikings brought in a ton of upgrades for Brian Flores’ defense last offseason and reaped the benefits in a 14-win campaign. After losing a number of key defensive playmakers in free agency this offseason, Minnesota gets a versatile defender who could play various positions in the secondary but would likely replace the departed Camryn Bynum.
Ross has the Vikings taking a versatile chess piece for Flores’ defense in Barron. With the loss of many key contributors in the secondary, a do-it-all defensive back could be just what the Vikings’ defense needs. Barron can fill in at almost every position in the secondary, from outside corner to slot defender and even safety.
Bleacher Report
TRADE: Vikings send pick 24 to the Cleveland Browns for 33, 67, and a conditional 2026 pick
Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
With Minnesota’s lack of picks, Bleacher Report has the Vikings moving into the early second and getting a back a third-rounder, where they currently don’t have a pick, and a 2026 conditional pick.
With the first pick in the second round, the Vikings take Trey Amos, a valuable addition to their cornerback room. Amos is a long and tall outside cornerback, something the Vikings don’t have. He would immediately come in and challenge for a starting spot in one of the weaker units on the team.
Chad Reuter (NFL)
TRADE: Vikings send picks 24 and 187 to the Kansas City Chiefs for picks 31, 95, and 133
Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State University
While Thomas’ lackluster 40-yard dash (4.6 range) at Florida State’s pro day might scare off some teams, the Vikings could really use his size on the outside to complement returning starter Byron Murphy Jr. and newly acquired Isaiah Rodgers.
Another expert who thinks the Vikings will go corner, Reuter also has the Vikings moving back down to recoup value in the middle rounds. Much like Bleacher Report, Reuter expects the Vikings to look to target a taller cornerback who can be a true outside potential shutdown corner.
Joe Riveria (USA TODAY)
Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
Hairston is a fast cornerback who has good man- and zone-coverage skills. His 4.28 40-yard dash time was the fastest at the 2025 NFL Combine. Minnesota had the NFL’s 28th-ranked pass defense last season and is devoid of a No. 1 cornerback.
Another expert who thinks the Vikings will go corner, but this time with Hairston. Hairston’s combination of size and speed, along with his coverage ability, makes him an interesting player. Adding a cornerback with his traits to Minnesota’s pass defense would strengthen a unit that may have some question marks.
