Free agency has changed the Minnesota Vikings' NFL Draft philosophy. There is an argument to be made that general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has done a great job fortifying the roster enough that there isn't a single dire need remaining.
Where does that leave things when it comes to April's NFL Draft? That's an interesting question that could have a lot of different answers. They can really do whatever they want, but the priority should be to find a player who can be an impact player in 2025 and beyond. That could end up being a wide receiver.
Vikings 7-Round NFL Mock Draft
The idea of taking a wide receiver in the first round is a unique one. The Vikings have taken a first-round wide receiver twice in the last five years (Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison). However, that shouldn't change things for the Vikings if the player makes sense. They made the exception for Randy Moss in 1998 and it worked out really well.
Now, there isn't a Moss level prospect in this draft, but there are talented players who could make a real impact for the Vikings.
24. Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
When I look at this wide receiver class, there is some intriguing talent at the top. One of those players is Egbuka, who provides a quality, yet redundant skill set for the Vikings. Now, redundancy isn't necessarily a bad thing with wide receivers, as Jefferson and Addison have very similar skill sets.
Egbuka is a route running savant. He understands how to get open on all three levels with some excellent separation ability. Egbuka also pairs it with high-effort blocking ability. When it comes to Kevin O'Connell's offense, having receivers who can block is important, especially with the amount of 11 personnel they like to run.
97. Andrew Mukuba, S, Texas
Safety isn't a major need for the Vikings immediately, but it should be addressed this year in some capacity. Josh Metellus is entering the final year of his contract and Harrison Smith is at best year-to-year. Plus, Theo Jackson is being elevated to a starting-level role, but there isn't a guarantee he will be there.
Mukuba is a fascinating player. He struggled at times at Clemson before he transferred to Texas, but put it all together. Mukuba excels with the ball in the air on all three levels of the field with good instincts and an aggressive trigger. He is slightly undersized, but from the free safety spot, it works.
139. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Arizona
The running back position is so deep that players will go much higher and lower than you might think due to the sheer depth of the class. One player you likely haven't heard of is Croskey-Merritt, mainly because he only played in one game before suffering a season-ending injury.
He showed out in a major way at the Big 12 pro days and will end up having a top-30 visit with the Vikings. Because of the lack of 2024 tape on him, he's becoming a late riser and could be of interest for the Vikings.
187. Jason Marshall Jr., CB, Florida
The Vikings need to find a way to maximize the cornerback room now and in the future. They should find a way to add to the room and taking a player like Marshall would be a good bet.
Marshall was once viewed as a talented player who could end up being a first-round pick, but that didn't happen. He played in 45 games with the Gators and was very productive on the ball with 8 interceptions and 25 passes defended with good size and length. Consistency was always an issue with Marshall, but he's a good guy to take a chance on in round five.
