The 2025 NFL Draft, scheduled for Thursday at 7 p.m. CDT, is just a few hours away. At No. 24 overall in the first round, the Minnesota Vikings are now slated to make their first selection in the yearly event.
It’s still unclear what the Vikings will do. There have been numerous mock drafts throughout the first round, not just for Minnesota. After the top five, no one can predict who will go where. It’s particularly hard to tell what news is genuine steam and what is just smokescreen.
The Minnesota front office and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah probably don’t know who will be left on the boards for them later in the first round. All we know is that the most rumored positions of interest appear to be safeties, defensive linemen, and interior offensive linemen.
JJ McCarthy wants his old teammate to get drafted by the Minnesota Vikings.
However, it seems we would know exactly who the Vikings are most interested in acquiring Thursday night if tonight’s selection were up to JJ McCarthy, the team’s 2024 No. 10 overall pick.
McCarthy has been “pounding the table” in Eagan for his former IMG Academy high school teammate, Alabama offensive guard Tyler Booker, according to Darren Wolfson (KSTP) on the Mackey & Judd Show (SKOR North) today.
The fact that Tyler Booker gets made fun of by the Minnesota Vikings in a number of locations makes this quite intriguing. It’s quite probable that the Vikings will try to select him if he is available at No. 24.
Would Tyler Booker fit in well with the Vikings?
Those who are familiar with Booker say that in addition to being a fantastic football player, he is also a wonderful person, which is likely another factor in JJ McCarthy’s strong endorsement of him. During his three seasons at Alabama, Booker played 38 games, all at left guard.
Related: 2025 Minnesota Vikings Draft Assistance: Up-to-Date Rumors, Forecasts, and Things to Look for in Round One
Since Will Fries is currently positioned on the left side, it is thought that if he were to move to Minnesota, he would take Will Fries’ place at right guard. Booker excels in pass protection, where he recorded an 86.5 rating in 2024, according to PFF. He receives far worse run block grades. He received a 63.9 grade in run blocking in 2024.
The Minnesota Vikings employ a hybrid inside zone run scheme that incorporates some gap ideas, in case you were wondering. Booker may not be the ideal scheme fit, but he isn’t exactly a match made in heaven. Soon enough, we’ll find out how much the Vikings and other teams like him in the first round.
Another interior offensive lineman that the Vikings have been repeatedly connected to is North Dakota State’s Grey Zabel. Doogie expects him to be off the board by No. 24, too.
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