How many picks do the Minnesota Vikings have in the 2025 NFL Draft? A number of trades during the 2024 NFL Draft cycle left the Vikings without much 2025 capital to look forward to, but there’s still something on the horizon for next April.
What Are the Minnesota Vikings Draft Picks in 2025?
- Round 1
- Round 5
- Round 5 (from CLE)
How Many Picks Do the Vikings Have in the 2025 NFL Draft?
Currently, the Minnesota Vikings have just three picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. They maintain their original selections in Round 1 and Round 5, and they have an extra Round 5 selection, which they gained from the Cleveland Browns in the Za’Darius Smith trade.
It was originally assumed that the Vikings’ decision to trade up into Round 1 and acquire Houston’s first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft cycle was to gear up for a quarterback trade.
Instead, the Vikings ended up getting Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy at 10th overall. Rather than package both first-rounders, Minnesota engaged in a Day 3 pick swap with the Jets to move from 11th to 10th. Then, the Vikings traded up from 23rd to 17th to acquire Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner.
MORE: Try PFN’s Free Mock Draft Simulator With Trades
In truth, the gambit to get both McCarthy and Turner — while successful — came at quite the price for Minnesota in 2025. Minnesota’s 2025 second-rounder was sent to Houston, and later to Buffalo by Houston, in return for former Bills and Vikings WR Stefon Diggs.
The Jacksonville Jaguars, meanwhile, received Minnesota’s third- and fourth-round picks in the Turner trade. Additionally, Minnesota’s original sixth- and seventh-round picks were also part of the Smith trade and were sent to Cleveland.
When the dust settles, it leaves Minnesota with just three picks in the 2025 NFL Draft — though there is time to add more.
What Are the Vikings’ Biggest Needs in 2025?
Quarterback is off the table for the Vikings now that they have McCarthy, though they may once again be in the market for a veteran backup when Sam Darnold’s one-year contract expires.
Elsewhere on offense, running back could be a need again once Aaron Jones’ one-year deal is up. And alongside Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison at wide receiver, there’s some demand for a competent, alignment-versatile WR3.
Most of the offensive line is set, but left guard Dalton Risner is on a one-year deal as well, leaving Minnesota with another potential void to fill in 2025.
On defense, defensive tackle is a major problem area. The unit is already weaker than the average NFL defensive line, and in 2025, nose tackle Harrison Phillips will be a free agent, along with journeyman Jerry Tillery. Minnesota’s DT room is a big reason why key 2025 prospects like Mason Graham and Deone Walker have been mocked to the Vikings already.
Another very precarious position group is the secondary as a whole. Fourth-round rookie Khyree Jackson tragically died in a car accident this summer, and Mekhi Blackmon suffered a torn ACL on the first day of camp. Irrespective of these events, depth is creeping up as an issue.
Byron Murphy II and Shaquill Griffin will be free agents in 2025, as will veteran-for-hire Fabian Moreau. At safety, Camryn Bynum will soon be a free agent, and Harrison Smith is aging fast — likely past his peak — and there doesn’t seem to be confidence that 2022 first-round pick Lewis Cine will rebound.
Listen to the PFN Scouting Podcast
Listen to the PFN Scouting Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Scouting Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms. Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Scouting Podcast on our Scouting YouTube channel.