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NFL free agency is now about one week old, and the Minnesota Vikings were not shy about breaking the bank on new players.
7 Predictions for the Vikings Draft Choice | After FA
The NFL Draft is less than six weeks away, and the Vikings are scheduled to pick four times — Rounds 1, 3, and 5 (twice).
So, we asked all VikingsTerritory writers to name one player apiece, after seeing the haul from free agency, whom they predict the Vikings will draft. We’ll do this exercise one more time before draft night, but here’s where our writers stand after free agency’s first wave.
These are their responses.
1. Derrick Harmon (DT)
Oregon
 breaks past Illinois Fighting Illini offensive lineman Brandon Henderson (75) during the second half at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://www.newsh2o.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/localimages/USATSI_24594921.jpg” data-large-file=”https://www.newsh2o.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/localimages/USATSI_24594921.jpg67d60db1540f3.jpg” src=”https://www.newsh2o.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/localimages/USATSI_24594921-788×444.jpg” alt=”vikings draft”><figcaption> Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>Prediction Maker</strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong>: Henrique Gucciardi</strong></p>
<p>The Vikings addressed defensive tackle in free agency with Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. But as we’ve seen with the Eagles, you can always use another great player in the trenches.</p>
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2. Kenneth Grant (DT)Michigan
 celebrates a tackle against USC during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://www.newsh2o.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/localimages/Kenneth-Grant.jpg” data-large-file=”https://www.newsh2o.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/localimages/Kenneth-Grant.jpg67d60dbc78985.jpg” src=”https://www.newsh2o.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/localimages/Kenneth-Grant-788×444.jpg” alt ><figcaption>Michigan defensive lineman Kenneth Grant (78) celebrates a tackle against USC during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>Prediction Maker</strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong>:</strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong> <strong>Adam New</strong></p>
<p>The Vikings have answered their interior pass rush problem with several big-name veteran additions. Going to the well again for the defensive line in the draft and getting a monster like Kenneth Grant, who can dominate the middle of the defensive line for years to come, just makes sense to me.</p>
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3. Tyler Booker (iOL)Alabama
 celebrates after the offense scored a touchdown during the A-Day scrimmage at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://www.newsh2o.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/localimages/USATSI_23017751.jpg” data-large-file=”https://www.newsh2o.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/localimages/USATSI_23017751.jpg67d60dc8ba1f7.jpg” src=”https://www.newsh2o.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/localimages/USATSI_23017751-788×444.jpg” alt><figcaption> Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>Prediction Maker</strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong>:</strong> <strong>Cole Smith</strong></p>
<p>I believe the Vikings will ultimately trade down in the draft. After that, they will select Alabama guard Tyler Booker, a high-school teammate of J.J. McCarthy, to continue bolstering the offensive line.</p>
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4. The Best Player Available
t5. Omarion Hampton (RB)North Carolina
 scores a touchdown as Wake Forest Demon Deacons defensive back Nick Andersen (45) defends in the fourth quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://www.newsh2o.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/localimages/USATSI_24783095_168394844_lowres.jpg” data-large-file=”https://www.newsh2o.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/localimages/USATSI_24783095_168394844_lowres.jpg67d60dd8b27c6.jpg” src=”https://www.newsh2o.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/localimages/USATSI_24783095_168394844_lowres-788×444.jpg” alt><figcaption> Bob Donnan-Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>Prediction Maker</strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong>:</strong> <strong>Ali Siddiqui</strong></p>
<p>The Vikings will trade down and take the UNC running back. Aaron Jones is back but also 30 years old. A running back for the future is needed.</p>
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t5. Omarion Hampton (RB)North Carolina
 with the ball in the first quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://www.newsh2o.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/localimages/Omarion-Hampton.jpg” data-large-file=”https://www.newsh2o.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/localimages/Omarion-Hampton.jpg67d60de3754d4.jpg” src=”https://www.newsh2o.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/localimages/Omarion-Hampton-788×444.jpg” alt><figcaption> Bob Donnan-Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>Prediction Maker</strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong>:</strong> <strong>Brevan Bane</strong></p>
<p>Minnesota could finesse him in a trade-down, but either way, the Vikings get their RBOTF, which could very well be better than the draft’s consensus top back in Ashton Jeanty.</p>
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t6. Trey Amos (CB)Ole Miss
t6. Trey Amos (CB)Ole Miss
 waits for the snap during the first half against the Furman Paladins at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://www.newsh2o.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/localimages/USATSI_24155866.jpg” data-large-file=”https://www.newsh2o.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/localimages/USATSI_24155866.jpg67d60dfd55436.jpg” src=”https://www.newsh2o.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/localimages/USATSI_24155866-788×444.jpg” alt><figcaption> Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>Prediction Maker</strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong>:</strong> <strong>Kyle Joudry</strong></p>
<p>Minnesota needs help at the position, and he offers good height. Thinking the pick occurs after a trade down.</p>
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t7. Shavon Revel Jr. (CB)East Carolina
 during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tanner Pearson-Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://www.newsh2o.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/localimages/Shavon-Revel-Jr.jpg” data-large-file=”https://www.newsh2o.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/localimages/Shavon-Revel-Jr.jpg67d60e09cd407.jpg” src=”https://www.newsh2o.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/localimages/Shavon-Revel-Jr-788×444.jpg” alt><figcaption> Tanner Pearson-Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>Prediction Maker</strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong>:</strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong> Dustin Baker</strong></p>
<p>Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will trade back, and the only real roster need that can be reasonably argued on March 15th is more cornerback help. </p>
<p>So, because other teams will be scared by Revel Jr.’s ACL recovery, he’ll fall to the Vikings, and they’ll finally — finally — connect on a CB draft pick.</p>
<p>It’s only taken a decade.</p>
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t7. Shavon Revel Jr. (CB)East Carolina
 and defensive back Shavon Revel Jr. (28) stops the run by Appalachian State Mountaineers running back Anderson Castle (1) during the first half at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://www.newsh2o.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/localimages/USATSI_24234091.jpg67d60e158333b.jpg” data-large-file=”https://www.newsh2o.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/localimages/USATSI_24234091.jpg67d60e17cc9df.jpg” src=”https://www.newsh2o.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/localimages/USATSI_24234091-788×444.jpg” alt><figcaption> James Guillory-Imagn Images<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>Prediction Maker</strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong>:</strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong> Josh Frey</strong></p>
<p>The Vikings filled their needs in the trenches and then some through free agency. Now, the big question remains at CB. Revel is a talented player, and Brian Flores will love his tenacious, physical style of play at the position.</p>
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t7. Shavon Revel Jr. (CB)East Carolina
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.Â
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
