The Minnesota Vikings did a great job addressing their needs in free-agency by bringing in several marquee players at positions of need. They’ve answered all the big questions about what the team will look like, which leaves them in an ideal position heading into the draft. With that in mind, let’s see what all the experts predict the Vikings will do in the first round.
Matt Miller (ESPN+)
Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
The Vikings were aggressive in free agency, so they don’t have many glaring needs. But there is concern at cornerback, where signees Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah project more as temporary fixes than long-term solutions. Hairston can definitely be a long-term building block. Not only is he feisty in coverage, he has elite footwork and ran the fastest 40 out of all prospects at the combine (4.28 seconds).
Despite being 5’11”, Hairston’s long arms can lock down receivers when combined with his quickness. There are size and durability concerns, as he missed five games in 2024 with a shoulder injury, but he has the best movement skills of any corner in this class. The Vikings have to get younger, faster and better at cornerback. Hairston can help them get there and boost their man coverage capabilities.
Miller has the Vikings bolstering their cornerback room by drafting Kentucky’s Maxwell Hairston. Minnesota already has made moves at the cornerback, bringing back Byron Murphy and adding Isaiah Rodgers. Hairston would likely be contending with Rodgers, Blackmon, and Okudah for a starting spot almost immediately.
Mike Tannenbaum (ESPN+)
Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
Getting Barron at this point in the first round would be outstanding value for Minnesota. He could excel in Brian Flores’ defense after posting 20 pass breakups and eight interceptions over the past three seasons. Barron’s versatility would be key for the Vikings, who signed Jeff Okudah and Isaiah Rodgers and re-signed Byron Murphy Jr. this month. He played as both a slot and outside corner last season, which means Minnesota could move him to fit what it needs.
Much like his fellow ESPN analyst, Mike Tannenbaum also has the Vikings selecting a cornerback in the first round to bolster their secondary. Barron seems like he would fit in perfectly with what Brian Flores wants to do. He has the versatility to play inside and outside, along with the ball skills and ability to generate turnovers that the Vikings’ secondary excelled at last season to the tune of at least one turnover in every single regular-season game.
Bucky Brooks (NFL Network)
Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
Harrison Smith‘s decision to return for Year 14 allows Emmanwori to serve as an apprentice before taking over as a full-time starter in 2026.
Brooks has the Vikings staying in the secondary with their first-round pick but instead selecting safety over cornerback. After losing Cam Bynum in free agency and with Harrison Smith’s potential retirement becoming a more pressing concern every offseason, Brooks thinks the Vikings would be wise to take combine darling Nick Emmanwori to learn from the grizzled vet before filling in for him.
Josh Edwards (CBS)
Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
Cam Bynum is off to Indianapolis and Harrison Smith is not going to play forever. The Vikings make an investment in the future with the selection of South Carolina’s Nick Emmanwori.
Edwards also has the Vikings taking the combine standout from South Carolina, citing Smith’s age and Bynum’s departure as good reasons for the Vikings to look to the future at the safety position. While this might not be a pick that makes an immediate impact, it will pay off in the future when Smith inevitably decides to hang his cleats up.
Chris Trapasso (CBS)
Grey Zabel, OG, NDSU
After the slide back, in which they net this pick along with a fourth-round pick (No. 109), and a 2026 fourth-rounder, the Vikings pick the super-talented, small-school tackle who’ll play guard in Minnesota. Ideal scheme fit.
Trapasso has the Vikings moving back a couple of spots to add a fourth-rounder this year and a fourth-rounder next year to their thinning draft capital. He has the Vikings further bolstering their interior offensive line with Zabel from NDSU in the first round.
Zabel dominated at the Senior Bowl and would likely challenge Blake Brandel to be the Day 1 starter at left guard.
