There is one CB I would take for Minnesota in the '25 Draft

[StickierBuns]

I love Will Johnson. Super tough, super athletic. He doesn't fuck around. They had Minnesota picking #10 in this mock, I think Johnson will be gone before that. If not, take DT Deone Walker.

"The Minnesota Vikings are relatively thin and young at the cornerback position.
Veterans Byron Murphy Jr. and Shaquill Griffin are scheduled to be free agents after this season. Josh Metellus, Akayleb Evans and Andrew Booth Jr. are up the following year.
The addition of top corner talent will go a long way to solidifying the Vikings' back end.
The 6'2", 202-pound Will Johnson is a tailor-made NFL corner, with outstanding coverage skills. He allowed a measly 29.1 passer rating when targeted as a true sophomore, per Pro Football Focus' Max Chadwick.
Minnesota should jump at the opportunity to select Johnson, because odds are he'll go much higher in the process. Still, it's an ideal pairing to address a premium position for the long haul." - Bleacher Report.

[JR44]

Would be great to finally have a legit #1 CB. If you think about it when is the last time - Winfield? Rhodes had a run other than that amazingly has been a consistent weak spot. With the lack of picks next year, I fully expect Kam to trade down to try to recoup some picks. While I was all in on doing what we had to do to get our QB this year, sure worked out well that we got JJ and kept our 1st rounders. Could go down as one of our best ever 1st rounds, hopefully next year is a big win as well.

[supafreak84]

I'd be very happy with either Johnson or Travis Hunter. The Vikings should be sitting pretty with their 1st pick to address corner or defensive line, where the top end talent is better in 2025

[JimmyinSD]

Would be great to finally have a legit #1 CB. If you think about it when is the last time - Winfield? Rhodes had a run other than that amazingly has been a consistent weak spot. With the lack of picks next year, I fully expect Kam to trade down to try to recoup some picks. While I was all in on doing what we had to do to get our QB this year, sure worked out well that we got JJ and kept our 1st rounders. Could go down as one of our best ever 1st rounds, hopefully next year is a big win as well.

With the cap space theyve built free agency will make up for a lack of draft capital in the short term, if JJM is back amd healthy, they need to add studs in the draft, the talent added in FA will make the roster harder to make so the added rookie talent needs to be good not plentiful.

[MAD GAINZ]

With the cap space theyve built free agency will make up for a lack of draft capital in the short term,  if JJM is back amd healthy, they need to add studs in the draft,  the talent added in FA will make the roster harder to make so the added rookie talent needs to be good not plentiful.

Agreed, but we still need cost controlled depth.  I would imagine next year we may go after 2-3 top FAs if they are young and a fit for our scheme.  We won't be able to fill all of our depth with FAs.

That said, if our pick ends up being towards the top of the draft, you don't pass on a stud at a position of need to trade back.  Just take him.  But if there are a number of guys we love and you can work the board to trade back a little (or a lot), we could use some extra picks on Day 2 and 3.

Long way to go before we need to have this discussion.

[supafreak84]

Agreed, but we still need cost controlled depth.  I would imagine next year we may go after 2-3 top FAs if they are young and a fit for our scheme.  We won't be able to fill all of our depth with FAs.

That said, if our pick ends up being towards the top of the draft, you don't pass on a stud at a position of need to trade back.  Just take him.  But if there are a number of guys we love and you can work the board to trade back a little (or a lot), we could use some extra picks on Day 2 and 3.

Long way to go before we need to have this discussion.

I'm looking at our free agents next year and luckily not a lot of "must sign" guys. The one that does stick out to me is Cam Bynum. Byron Murphy would be another one if he plays well. Harrison Phillips might be someone we want to bring back if Roy doesn't show improvement. We have some older guys like Harrison Smith and Aaron Jones on one year deals. But overall, I really think we are well positioned heading into next offseason. We add another impact starter in the draft and some upgraded players in free agency combined with the return of McCarthy and this team is going to be a problem for the rest of the league in 2025

[Montana Tom]

I think it is ridiculously early to start looking at draft picks from college ranks. They are perilously close to the start of the current season, and nobody has even played a game. Let's get a full body of work in on these kids before we start cherry picking who we might want.

Oh, and by the way, do you suppose anyone will create a Mock Draft for us to review next spring? LOL.

[Knucklehead]

I'm looking at our free agents next year and luckily not a lot of "must sign" guys. The one that does stick out to me is Cam Bynum. Byron Murphy would be another one if he plays well. Harrison Phillips might be someone we want to bring back if Roy doesn't show improvement. We have some older guys like Harrison Smith and Aaron Jones on one year deals. But overall, I really think we are well positioned heading into next offseason. We add another impact starter in the draft and some upgraded players in free agency combined with the return of McCarthy and this team is going to be a problem for the rest of the league in 2025

It wouldn't surprise me if they allowed Bynum to walk. They have Jackson & Ward playing behind him. They extended Metellus. They might want to save some cap & roll with a couple players on cheaper contracts.

[MaroonBells]

It wouldn't surprise me if they allowed Bynum to walk. They have Jackson & Ward playing behind him. They extended Metellus. They might want to save some cap & roll with a couple players on cheaper contracts.

Seems a bit unnecessary considering their cap space next year, and the fact that they likely won't be paying Harrison Smith. Also, Metellus isn't breaking anyone's bank, and I'm just not sure to what degree we can count on Jackson and Ward.

[supafreak84]

It wouldn't surprise me if they allowed Bynum to walk. They have Jackson & Ward playing behind him. They extended Metellus. They might want to save some cap & roll with a couple players on cheaper contracts.

It would be a huge surprise to me considering this in all likelihood is Harrison's last season in Minnesota and that Cine hasn't developed and sounds like he will be moved prior to the start of this season. Bynum is a young, impact player who they need to keep in the building

---

Also, on draft prospects for next year...my guy Benjamin Morrison is the best corner I've ever seen come through Notre Dame and a sure fire top 15 pick if he declares

https://youtu.be/dDru7Bflxlg?si=MhPEWATS8dEFvckG