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Adam New’s Early Vikings Mock Draft 1.0
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- Adam New’s Early Vikings Mock Draft 1.0
Wesley Hale-Imagn Images
No playoff football means it's already time to start thinking about the draft, and that means an early Vikings mock draft from me.
This year, the draft will take place in Pittsburgh and run from April 23–25. Minnesota is set to have nine picks in this year's draft, potentially, and will first pick at 18th overall unless Kwesi Adofo-Mensah makes a trade.
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Adam New's Early Stab at Vikings Draftboard
The draft order will change once the compensatory draft picks are decided, but this mock is based on the draft order as things stand, with no trades.
Round 1: Pick 18 – Colton Hood (CB), Tennessee
Tennessee defensive back Colton Hood (8) during the Vol Walk before Tennessee's home opener against ETSU at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Sept. 6, 2025. © Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
Cornerback is the popular choice in mock drafts at the moment for the Vikings, and with good reason. Minnesota desperately needs a lockdown CB on the perimeter. Byron Murphy and Isaiah Rodgers are both talented, but neither is that guy. Tennessee's Colton Hood could be.
At 6'0, and 195 lbs, Hood has an enticing blend of explosiveness, corrective twitch, proportional length, and physicality. His teammates Jermod McCoy, Mansour Delane, and Avieon Terrell are the other top-ranked CBs in this draft. Among those most likely to be available at 18, I like Hood.
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Round 2: Pick 49 – Kamari Ramsey (S), USC
We don't yet know what the future holds for Brian Flores, but whatever happens, the Vikings need to strengthen their secondary. With that in mind, I go for Kamari Ramsey in the second round. Caleb Downs is the standout safety who is being predicted to go in the top 10. After him, there are a few safety options that are being touted as late first and second-round options.
Ramsey is a big, powerful safety with lightning-quick feet and both football smarts and physicality. He'd be a great get for Minnesota in the second round.
Round 3: Pick 82 – Josiah Trotter (LB), Missouri
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Even though the defense was this team's strength, it still has areas to improve and/or get younger. If the Vikings bring back Eric Wilson, their top two linebackers will be 30+, and with Ivan Pace falling away since his rookie season, no one is pushing to break through.
Enter Josiah Trotter. The Trotter family has football in its blood. Josiah is the son and younger brother of former and current Eagles LBs Jeremiah Trotter Sr. and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. He is at his best in the box and making tackles, with room to improve in coverage.
Round 3: Pick 97 – Demond Claiborne (RB), Wake Forest
Should the Vikings move on from Aaron Jones, Demond Claiborne would be an excellent counterpart to Jordan Mason in Minnesota's backfield. Oneof the most dynamic RB prospects in this draft, he's a touch undersized but incredibly explosive working upfield and has elite lateral mobility.
Oct 11, 2025; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons running back Demond Claiborne (1) runs the ball during the second half against the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images
He's not a big goal-line threat, but Mason gets to take a role while Kevin O'Connell plots how to use Claiborne's dynamic and creative skill set.
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Round 5: Pick 156 – Jake Slaughter (C), Florida
With the future of Ryan Kelly uncertain after a series of concussions, and in the last year of his contract. The Vikings need to think about the future at center. Blake Brandel and Michael Jurgens filled in for the absent Kelly last season. Adding a center on Day 3 of the draft, like Florida's Jake Slaughter, would be a smart move.
Round 7: Pick 234 – Jack Velling (TE), Michigan State
Michigan State senior Jack Velling poses for a photo with family during a ceremony before the game against Penn State on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. © Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
Will TJ Hockenson be a cap casualty? Will the Vikings continue to put more TEs on the field to help out JJ McCarthy? If the answer to both is yes, then more options at TE are a must. Jack Velling would be a good option to add to the mix from the later rounds of the draft.
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Round 7: Pick 235 – Jack Strand (QB) MSU Moorhead
Described as a mega sleeper , the Vikings taking Minnesota State Moorhead QB Jack Strand to battle for the QB3 job would be a fun story.
Round 7: Pick 240 – Justus Ross-Simmons (WR) Syracuse
The Vikings aren't desperate for a WR, but adding a 6'3″, 210 lbs receiver like Justus Ross-Simmons would bring a different skill set to the group for training camp.
Round 7: Pick 244 – Patrick Payton (Edge) LSU
You can never have too many pass rushers on the roster for the start of training camp. Patrick Payton is a raw talent with significant potential to develop.
