The Minnesota Vikings have officially completed the 2025 NFL Draft with five draft picks, while adding a backup quarterback in Sam Howell. Their draft picks were really interesting overall, especially right at the top when they took a guard at 24th overall.
- 24th overall: Donovan Jackson, OL, Ohio State
- 102nd overall: Tai Felton, WR, Maryland
- 139th overall: Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, DL, Georgia
- 201st overall: Kobe King, LB, Penn State
- 202nd overall: Gavin Bartholomew, TE, Pitt
There is one thing that the Vikings didn't end up addressing among their five NFL draft selections: the secondary.
Vikings hinted at not taking secondary in NFL Draft
The Vikings didn't do a ton to address the secondary. They did re-sign Byron Murphy Jr. and retain Harrison Smith, but the only major addition they had was cornerback Isaiah Rodgers. On the other hand, the Vikings lost Stephon Gilmore, Shaquill Griffin, Fabian Moreau, and Camryn Bynum.
Not adding more than one player who is likely to get significant snaps is a weird one, but it was something that head coach Kevin O'Connell alluded to at the NFL Owners Meetings four weeks ago when he was specifically asked about Rodgers.
"Isaiah was a guy that 'Flo' identified pretty early. I've been doing this long enough with Flo, but once he has that tone in his voice about guys, he's been pretty darn accurate."
When you consider that Rodgers was the only player they signed in the secondary that is likely to be a major factor this season, the quote certainly resonates more than it did in real time. Flores has done a great job in seeing talent and maximizing it in multiple ways.
The secondary isn't even in a bad spot this season. There are a lot of solid players in both position groups, but there is a lack of star power overall, hence why there was a belief they would target both positions with their 2025 NFL Draft class, but they chose not to, likely due to their confidence in the group as a whole.
You don't need to have stars in the secondary, as cornerback, especially, is a weak link system more than it is reliant on star power. That doesn't mean that they won't add to the group, but not making it a priority in the draft does send a strong message that the staff has confidence in them.
