Vikings Named Candidates to Make Aggressive Trade in 2025 NFL Draft…
The Minnesota Vikings must find a solution to their lack of draft picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. Minnesota enters the draft with only a first, third, fifth, and sixth-round pick. Without making any trades, this would be the least amount of picks in a single draft in franchise history. The good news is that they spent almost $300 million on free agency to add impactful players. Conversely, the older team needs youthful depth entering the 2025 season. That leaves the team with the option to attempt a big-time trade in the NFL Draft to acquire more picks. ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller named the Vikings one of the teams most likely to make a trade that would move them down in the draft. Working with one of the other Super Bowl contenders could help add some draft picks while getting value in the
process. “With only four selections in this draft, including no second-rounder, the Vikings have less draft capital than any other team. At No. 24 overall, they could benefit from sliding back to a spot like Buffalo (No. 30) or Kansas City (No. 31) to add extra picks. Minnesota could still fill needs at defensive back or defensive tackle later in Round 1.” Buffalo has two second-round picks, which could allow the Vikings to get back into the second round. The Chiefs have two third-round picks, which could give Minnesota another chance at selecting on day two. Last year, the Vikings made two trades in the first round to select quarterback J.J. McCarthy and linebacker Dallas Turner. While they lost picks for last year’s and this year’s drafts, Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will wheel and deal during the draft. Minnesota needs help on the secondary, defensive, and offensive lines, so trading back once or twice in the draft might also be a strategy.
Dolphins Trade Down, Select Texas Standout in New NFL Mock Draft…
The Miami Dolphins have many options in the first round of the NFL Draft. They could add offensive or defensive linemen, but in a new mock draft, the Dolphins decided to move back and select a position in the secondary. In a new mock draft from Chad Reuter, NFL Draft Researcher and Analyst for NFL Media, the Dolphins are trading down from pick 13 to pick 16 with the Arizona Cardinals. The Dolphins then select Texas Longhorns cornerback Jahdae Barron, pairing Barron with Jalen Ramsey. As part of the Dolphins’ trade down, the Cardinals send their third-rounder for the Dolphins’ fourth-rounder. While it initially doesn’t seem like a significant haul, the Dolphins would be moving down three spots in the first round to move up from pick 116 to pick 78. The trade-down is excellent for the Dolphins, and the player they select is as well. Barron was the highest-graded Texas defender in 2024 according
to Pro Football Focus. He had five pressures, one sack, 57 tackles, and was incredible in coverage. According to Pro Football Focus, Barron allowed 37 receptions on 68 targets for 284 yards, no touchdowns, and nine pass breakups while hauling in five interceptions. His passer rating when targeted was 34.2. If quarterbacks spiked the ball instead of throwing it, their passer rating would be 39.6. In round one, Reuter’s mock draft for the Dolphins would be a fantastic outcome. Selecting a top cornerback who has experience lining up in the slot and out wide in Barron would fill a significant need for the Dolphins. While the Dolphins have commonly mocked offensive and defensive linemen in round one, this mock takes a different approach. The Dolphins trade down, improve their draft capital, and take one of the best cornerbacks in the draft. A strong offensive and defensive line class makes Miami’s selection of Barron after a trade-down very sensible. The Dolphins add a much-needed cornerback while improving their draft capital. It’s a fresh take on the Dolphins’ draft potential and would be a solid way for Miami to start the 2025 NFL Draft.
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