Minnesota Vikings fans have their wish list entering the 2025 NFL Draft. They’ve fixed the offensive line in the short term and have an explosive cast of weapons to support J.J. McCarthy. They’ve also stacked the defense and will look to take another leap forward as Brian Flores returns for a third season.
With everything the Vikings have, it’s hard to say what direction they should take when they’re on the clock with the 24th-overall pick in just over two weeks. But while there are some more concrete ideas, one of the best comes seemingly out of nowhere.
Are the Vikings bold enough to take a receiver early in the draft?
People would question the decision. The Vikings are a Super Bowl contender, and they want to make as many moves as possible to get to the big game for the first time since 1977. They spent two weeks contemplating whether or not to bring in 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers so they could get a step closer to winning a championship. No matter what you think, the Vikings are here to win, and it could produce a need-based draft strategy.
But that would also be ignoring the fact that overkill is underrated. Many fans will tell you about the 1998 draft when the Vikings desperately needed a pass rusher but pounced on Randy Moss when he fell to the 21st-overall pick. John Randle‘s injury during Minnesota’s playoff run highlighted its need for a pass rusher. However, drafting Moss gave the Vikings the vaunted “Three Deep” trio of Moss, Cris Carter, and Jake Reed.
There isn’t a Moss-like prospect in this draft (or most drafts). Most of the players don’t have the high-end talent that last year’s class did with Malik Nabers or Marvin Harrison Jr. Still, the Vikings could consider taking a pass catcher based on the current state of the receiver room.
Justin Jefferson is locked as the alpha of this group and will likely stay in Minnesota until the Vikings say otherwise. However, the Vikings may prefer to stay one step ahead regarding Jordan Addison‘s future.
Addison has been productive in his first two seasons, catching 133 passes for 1,786 yards and 19 touchdowns. But that production means a payday is on the horizon. While he’s termed a “No. 2 receiver,” Addison has the talent to be a top option in an offense and could be paid as such if he has one more productive season.
Consider that Tee Higgins has only two 1,000-yard seasons during his five-year career but just earned a four-year, $115 million contract from the Cincinnati Bengals. The $28.75 million annual value looks less daunting when you consider Cincinnati can get out of the contract after two seasons. Still, that’s money the Vikings must account for if McCarthy becomes a franchise quarterback and Jefferson asks to renegotiate his deal when his guaranteed money runs out after the 2026 season.
Mix in Addison’s off-the-field issues in the past two offseasons, and his next contract may not be a bill the Vikings are willing to pay.
However, he’s not the only receiver the Vikings should be worried about.
Jalen Nailor has carved out a role on the Vikings, but his modest production (40 catches, 622 yards, seven TDs) in three seasons suggests Minnesota likely won’t be enough to earn him a second contract. Free-agent signing Rondale Moore is a wild card. The Lucky Jackson, Jeshaun Jones, and Thayer Thomas are unlikely to step into bigger roles.
This makes receiver a sneaky need for the Vikings. But is there anyone worth taking the risk on?
Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan is the top receiver in this class, and his 6’5″, 212 lb. frame stands out as a mismatch for opposing defense. But his status as a top-10 pick likely puts him outside of striking distance for the Vikings unless he tumbles down the draft boards.
The next wave of receivers comes quickly. Missouri’s Luther Burden III, Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka, and Texas’s Matthew Golden flash big-play potential that could work in a field-stretching role. Iowa State’s Jayden Higgins has also created some buzz late in the draft process. The Vikings could take a mid-round flier on Miami’s Xavier Restrepo, Texas’ Isaiah Bond, or Colorado State’s Tory Holton.
It may not elicit as strong a reaction as another guard or a cornerback would, but it could be an important piece of the puzzle. While all signs point to the Vikings feeling comfortable about Addison and Nailor, things could change with an injury or another key development.
It could be something Minnesota decides to kick down the road. But with the draft approaching, receiver could be a route they choose to take and bring Kevin O’Connell’s offense to another level.
