D
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings let Mondon Jr. fall and pounced. Final grade: D.
by Andy ·
2025 NFL Draft
· 8 picks
· 2 steals
· 1 reaches
The Vikings lost the trade war and it was not close, handing partners the better end again and again. A D that will need time and luck to look better.
Leaving edge rusher unaddressed is the roster risk they will have to answer for in the fall. Every board in the league had Dart lower, and that gap is the story. On value alone, Mondon Jr. makes the weekend a net positive.
Bottom line, they will need several of these picks to beat their grades just to break even, and edge rusher is still a hole.
Pick-by-Pick
In Round 1, Pick 8 they get an anchor for the defensive front. A clean fit for the roster.
Ashton Jeanty at the Round 1 slot is neither steal nor reach, just the going rate. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
A premium they did not need to pay, Jaxson Dart a notch or two before his time. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
Fair-plus on Howard Cross III, a quiet win that adds up over a draft. A need, and now a little less of one.
A linebacker of that caliber at pick 137 is the definition of value, full stop. It adds depth where they could use a little.
Taking Cobee Bryant in the 169th overall pick is close to grand larceny; a cornerback that good had no business lasting this long. Not urgent, but hardly pointless.
DJ Campbell at the 195th pick is a sensible buy, a touch better than market for the offensive lineman. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
A market-rate wide receiver, with the board and the slot shaking hands on Dane Key. It fills a real need, too.