On the cusp of an important era for the franchise, what constitutes success for the Minnesota Vikings in projected 2025 NFL Mock Drafts? The latest simulation from PFN explores this question in more detail.
Who Could the Minnesota Vikings Draft in the 2025 NFL Draft?
Note: The draft order for the 2025 NFL Mock Draft was derived from my record and playoff predictions for the 2024 NFL regular season.
1.15) Minnesota Vikings: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
Tragedy and hardship have combined to thin the Vikings’ cornerback room in 2024. As unfortunate as it is, they may have to re-invest in the 2025 NFL Draft.
At the very least, Benjamin Morrison can be a silver lining. He’s a gnat in man coverage and a prolific playmaker who should fit well with Brian Flores’ scheme and mentality.
Rounds 4-7
5.144) CJ Daniels, WR, LSU
5.146) Phil Mafah, RB, Clemson
Vikings 2025 NFL Mock Draft Analysis
At the very least, the Vikings still have their first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. And it’ll essentially be as if they have two first-round picks as 2025 will mark J.J. McCarthy’s return from torn meniscus surgery.
But past that first-round capital, the Vikings are relatively starved for picks. Their second-round selection was first sent to the Texans and then from the Texans to the Bills. Their third- and fourth-round selections were given to Jacksonville in the trade-up for Dallas Turner.
The moves may end up being worthwhile, but for now, the Vikings only have two fifth-round picks outside of their first-round selection. Thus, ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft, it might behoove them to gain additional capital through trades. A reloading season with Sam Darnold might allow them to do that.
Nevertheless, with just three selections, the Vikings were still able to make a dent in the latest seven-round 2025 NFL Mock Draft at PFN.
With their first-round pick, the Vikings selected Notre Dame’s Benjamin Morrison, supplementing their CB room. At 6’0″, 185 pounds, Morrison is a man coverage savant whose physicality, elite matching athleticism, and playmaking ability should play very well.
In Round 5, the Vikings pivoted to the offensive side of the ball with their two picks and selected two players who could go on to be hidden gems.
Minnesota’s first pick in Round 5 was LSU wide receiver CJ Daniels — a transfer from Liberty with exciting vertical ability and flashes of superb route running flexibility.
The second pick in Round 5 was Clemson running back Phil Mafah — a tank of a ball carrier at 6’1″, 230 pounds, who has the vision, physicality, and dependability to be a quality rotational back, with volume upside.
With Aaron Jones on a one-year deal, the Mafah acquisition, in particular, could be useful for the Vikings long-term. However, Daniels also holds merit as a high-ceiling WR who improves the depth and dynamism of the WR corps past Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
