The Minnesota Vikings will be leaning heavily on some recent draft picks in 2025, with J.J. McCarthy set to enter training camp as the team’s new franchise quarterback, rookie Donovan Jackson the front-runner to start at left guard, and EDGE Dallas Turner poised for a more prominent role in Year 2.
While their roster is veteran-laden and well stocked thanks to GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s shrewd moves in free agency over the years, the Vikings have a glaring need for young talent. They’ve struggled to develop draft picks into impact starters throughout Adofo-Mensah’s tenure, with their 2022 draft class the most brutal example.
Vikings analyst Judd Zulgad recently dropped his early 53-man roster projections for the team on the Purple Daily Podcast, and he predicts two more of Minnesota’s 2022 draft picks — running back Ty Chandler and linebacker Brian Asamoah II — will be on the outside looking in come cut-down day.
That outcome would be tough for Adofo-Mensah and company to swallow. It would leave sixth-round receiver Jalen Nailor as the last man standing from Minnesota’s disastrous, 10-player 2022 draft class.
Chandler could come down to a numbers game, as the Vikings are sure to keep three backs — Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason and fullback C.J. Ham — and could easily justify holding onto Chandler as an RB3 and kick returner. He’s in the final year of a cheap rookie contract, so a solid training camp could keep him in the fold.
Still, Minnesota’s trades for Cam Akers in 2024 and Mason this spring hints that the team is ready to move on from Chandler, a former fifth-round pick.
Asamoah entering the summer on the chopping block is the bigger story here, as the former third-rounder has only logged 191 total defensive snaps in his three years with the Vikings. He’s been a reliable special teams player, but you’re not targeting career special teamers with pick No. 66 overall.
Zulgad has the Vikings replacing Asamoah with veteran Eric Wilson, who rejoined Minnesota in free agency this year, and sixth-round rookie Kobe King.
For the record, Zulgad has all five of Minnesota’s 2025 draft picks making the initial 53-man roster, and as usual, some undrafted rookies should compete for roster spots, with receiver Silas Bolden, cornerback Zemaiah Vaughn and interior offensive lineman Joe Huber among the names to watch in camp.
There’s no sugarcoating it, though. Both Chandler and Asamoah entering camp on the cut line is another bad look for Adofo-Mensah’s questionable draft history.
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