The Minnesota Vikings are facing a unique challenge heading into the 2025 NFL Draft—an extremely limited stockpile of draft picks. Currently, they only hold selections in the first, third, fifth, and sixth rounds. Without making any trades, this would mark the fewest picks the franchise has ever had in a single draft. However, the Vikings have invested heavily in free agency, spending nearly $300 million to add key players to their roster, which certainly bolstered their lineup. Despite these moves, the team remains on the older side and will need to inject youth into their roster to maintain a competitive edge in 2025.
Given these circumstances, one clear option for the Vikings is to make a bold move in the draft by trading back to acquire additional picks. ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller recently listed Minnesota as one of the top teams likely to make such a trade. With just four picks in total, including no second-round selection, the Vikings have less draft capital than any other team. They currently hold the 24th overall pick, but trading down to a position like Buffalo’s 30th or Kansas City’s 31st pick could be a smart move. In doing so, the Vikings would gain extra picks and still have the opportunity to address pressing needs, such as upgrading their defensive backfield or strengthening the defensive line.
Buffalo, with two second-round picks, and Kansas City, with two third-round picks, could provide an ideal trade partner for the Vikings to climb back into the second or third rounds. This would allow Minnesota to continue bolstering their roster with more young talent. It’s also worth noting that Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has shown a willingness to wheel and deal during the draft, as evidenced by his first-round trades last year, which helped the team secure quarterback J.J. McCarthy and linebacker Dallas Turner. Although the Vikings sacrificed picks for both this and last year’s drafts, Adofo-Mensah’s strategic approach could pay off once again in 2025.
With significant needs across the secondary and both the offensive and defensive lines, the Vikings could find great value by trading back and adding depth at these crucial positions. Expect the Vikings to be active and aggressive in this year’s draft, potentially making moves that could reshape their future.