The modern day NFL tends to devalue running backs and interior 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 away from the rival Green Bay Packers. Jones has held up well, showing a willingness to play through injuries, and is now closing in on the fourth 1,000-yard season of his career. He figures to be in the team’s plans for 2025, but now on the wrong side of 30, it’s far from a guarantee after he joined the Vikings on a one-year deal back in March
Running back figures to be on the Vikings’ radar in the 2025 NFL Draft, either near the end of the first round or early on Day 3. Ditto for linebacker, which projects as an even bigger future need. The Vikings hit on Blake Cashman in free agency, but depth at that position has been tested by injuries throughout 2024, and Ivan Pace Jr. remains on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.
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 was Valentino’s take on the potential fit:
A Nick Saban linebacker at 6-foot-3 and 244 pounds, Brian Flores will love that Jihaad Campbell is a new-age Dont’a Hightower. Physical, fast, and surprisingly rangy, Campbell’s pass-rush ability and coverage upside for his size gives him unique value for a linebacker. That’s the type of tone-setter Flores will desire.
Minnesota figures to pick too late in the first round to be in on the Ashton Jeanty sweepstakes, or 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 here. Landing tackle Aireontae Ersery of the Gophers would be fun for the area, and could make sense with Christian Darrisaw coming off a season-ending knee injury. Depending on what shakes out in free agency, Minnesota could also have spots to fill at right guard, cornerback and safety.
With that said, landing Campbell this late in Round 1 would be a major win for Minnesota. He’s one of the most complete defensive players in the draft, per ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr., and was a force this season with 108 total tackles and five sacks. He’s also a gamer, as he recently announced that he won’t be opting out of Alabama’s bowl game in preparation for the NFL Draft.
The Vikings used a laundry list of short-term contracts to build this year’s defense, and it has performed as one of the best in the NFL. The team started investing in the future by drafting Dallas Turner in 2024, and it would be easy to see that trend continuing in 2025 if Campbell falls in their lap.