As the 2024 NFL season ends, a new era begins with the 2025 NFL Draft. The 7-round draft selects at least 224 players every year. No matter what pick a player is selected, they can still make a lasting impact. Their impact can lead them to a new dynasty, winning their team a franchise player and the Lombardi trophy. However, picks can turn sour, winding the team up in worse conditions. For example, the 199th overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft was 7-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady, but the 2007 1st overall pick, JaMarcus Russell, played for only three years due to a lack of ability.
After coming off a heartbreaking loss in the wild-card game, the Vikings must choose who to part ways with and who to bring in.
“I never liked Sam Darnold” sophomore Simon Forbes said. “He underperforms and has never won a playoff game.”
Sam Darnold has signed a multi-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks. However, the Vikings quarterback situation is up in the air, as CFB winner JJ McCarthy is coming off an injury from the 2024 preseason and has yet to play a snap. However, online rumors say it’s likely that JJ McCarthy will start.
The biggest sore thumb in the Vikings offense was the offensive line. With an injured tackle Christian Darrisaw, the offense crumbled. Sam Darnold was sacked 48 times in the regular season. In the only 2024 playoff game for the team, Darnold was sacked 9 times (T-1 with Warren Moon and Joe Burrow). Combined, he was the third-most-sacked quarterback in the 2024 season. To fix this issue, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, the general manager of the Vikings, signed former Colts center Ryan Kelly and teammate guard Will Fries. They will replace Garrett Bradbury and Ed Ingram, who both have underperformed for many seasons.
Switching to the other side of the ball, the aging Minnesota defense is flawed. Safety Harrison Smith, now 36 years old, is winding down his career and taking fewer snaps in games. Not to mention, the Colts signed free safety Cam Bynum, who was supposed to be the replacement for the 6-time pro bowler. Analysts are eyeing cornerback Benjamin Moore out of Notre Dame, cornerback Danzel Burke from Ohio State, and defensive back Daylen Everett out of Georgia.
The Vikings find themselves at a crossroads as they look to keep the candle burning after a heartbreaking loss to the Rams. With questions circling about the draft, the front office has to make many tough decisions. The uncertain future of the quarterback role, safety positions, and the glaring issues on the offensive line present challenges but also opportunities for change.