The modern NFL tends to devalue running backs and inside linebackers when it comes to the draft, but the Minnesota Vikings could take the opposite approach this April.
The Vikings hit a home run this offseason, stealing veteran running back Aaron Jones from the rival Green Bay Packers. Jones has held up well, showing his willingness to play through his injuries, and is now closing in on the fourth 1,000-yard season of his career. He appears to be in the team’s plans for 2025, but now on the wrong side of 30, that’s far from a guarantee after joining the Vikings on a one year contract in March.
The running back should be on the Vikings’ radar in the 2025 NFL Draft, either late in the first round or early in day three. The same goes for the linebacker, who projects as an even greater future need. The Vikings landed Blake Cashman in free agency, but the depth at the position has been tested by injuries throughout 2024, and Ivan Pace Jr. remains on injured reserve due to a back injury. hamstrings.
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With Pace entering a contract year in 2025, the Vikings could look to April’s draft to find his future replacement. Ian Valentino of the 33rd team predicts Minnesota will do just that by using its first-round pick on Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell. Here’s Valentino’s take on the potential fit:
Nick Saban’s 6-foot-3, 244-pound linebacker, Brian Flores will love that Jihaad Campbell is a new age Dont’a Hightower. Physical, fast and surprisingly lanky, Campbell’s passing ability and superior coverage for his size give him unique value for a linebacker. This is the kind of tone-setter Flores will want.
Minnesota believes it will pick too late in the first round to participate in the Ashton Jeanty drawor even star running back Kaleb Johnson of the Iowa Hawkeyes, so targeting a linebacker like Campbell with 175 career tackles at Alabama could be the move.
The Vikings could also go with an offensive lineman. Gophers touchdown tackle Aireontae Ersery would be fun for the area and could make sense with Christian Darrisaw coming off a season-ending knee injury. Depending on what happens in free agency, Minnesota could also have positions to fill at right guard, cornerback and safety.
That said, landing Campbell this late in the first round would be a major win for Minnesota. He is one of the most complete defensive players in the draft, according to Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN’s draft guruand has been a force this season with 108 total tackles and five sacks. He’s also a gamer, as he recently announced that he I will not withdraw from the Alabama bowl game in preparation for the NFL draft.
The Vikings used a long list of short-term contracts to build this year’s defense, and it has proven to be one of the best in the NFL. The team began investing in the future by drafting Dallas Turner in 2024, and it would be easy to see that trend continue in 2025 if Campbell falls into their lap.
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