Vikings trade down in new mock draft, still land offensive line help
Earlier this week, PFF's Trevor Sikkema mocked Alabama guard Tyler Booker to the Minnesota Vikings at pick No. 24. While I have no issue with the Vikings investing in the interior offensive line or drafting Booker, he is only the 45th-ranked prospect on PFF's Big Board.
It appears that Alec Lewis of The Athletic is thinking the same thing. He released his first mock draft of the 2025 season on Tuesday. Although Lewis had the Vikings drafting Booker, he projected a trade down to pick No. 29 with the Washington Commanders to select the Alabama guard.
The trade-down would give the Vikings pick No. 29 and Washington's fourth- and sixth-round picks. Lewis' trade comp came from 2022 when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers traded pick No. 27 to the Jacksonville Jaguars for pick No. 33 and additional fourth- and sixth-round selections.
Lewis explained that if the Vikings could land Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams in free agency, then fortifying the offensive line in the draft would make sense. Booker is familiar with J.J. McCarthy and has been praised for his leadership abilities.
Booker is probably the safest option. Nick Saban recruited him from IMG Academy, where he played for a season with Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Booker didn't transfer once Saban retired, and this past season he was graded as one of the best pass protectors in college football. Brugler called him a 'plug-and-play guard who should be a longtime pro.' Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said Booker is 'one of the best leaders I've ever been around,' and NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah described Booker as a player with similar leadership traits to the Houston Texans' Will Anderson Jr.
Booker is 6'5″, 325 pounds, and had an 86.5 pass-block grade in 2024, per PFF. Primarily a left guard in college, Booker would likely stay in Minnesota, taking the incumbent Blake Brandel's spot.
Lewis made selections for the Vikings' other draft picks.
Round 3: Josh Farmer, DT, Florida State
Round 4: Trevor Etienne, HB, Georgia (acquired via trade in the first round)
Round 5: Nohl Williams, CB, Cal
Round 5: Clay Webb, G, Jacksonville State
Round 6: Theo Wease, Jr., WR, Missouri (acquired via trade in the first round)
The Booker trade would help the Vikings land a potential starting running back in Etienne. This is a historically deep running back draft, and the added pick would allow the Vikings to take advantage of it without bypassing other needs.
Minnesota aggressively moved up in the 2024 draft to acquire J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner, leaving them with limited draft picks in 2025. Trading down and acquiring picks is a viable option for the Vikings when Draft Night comes around.
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