With a favorable projected draft slot, the Vikings eye top talent. Explore the current order and who could fall into their reach.
We have a projected draft order as teams have made it through 12 or 13 games in the 2025 NFL season. Tankathon published its draft order updated after Monday Night Football between the New England Patriots and New York Giants.
The Minnesota Vikings (4-8) are out of serious playoff contention, but their draft order is favorable. Minnesota checks in at No. 11 on the list. Here's a look at the Top 10 teams that rank ahead of the Vikings.
- Tennessee Titans 1-11
- New York Giants 2-11
- New Orleans Saints 2-10
- Las Vegas Raiders 2-10
- Cleveland Browns 3-9
- Washington Commanders 3-9
- New York Jets 3-9
- Arizona Cardinals 3-9
- Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta) 4-8
- Cincinnati Bengals 4-8
A few things stand out from the current draft order. Perhaps the biggest takeaway is that the Los Angeles Rams could both compete for a Super Bowl and draft inside the Top 10 due to a trade with the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons' draft standing might disincentivize them from tanking, or perhaps the hope of an early second round pick could.
The Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell and the Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald react after the game at Lumen Field.Kevin Ng-Imagn ImagesDirectly ahead of the Vikings are the 4-8 Cincinnati Bengals who dominated the Baltimore Ravens in quarterback Joe Burrow's return. Should the Bengals continue to win, the Vikings could move into the Top 10 picks.
As for moving up much higher, that task could be easier said than done for Minnesota. It goes without saying that the team would have to lose out to push much higher. That is not a goal for the team, but would be a biproduct of the Vikings' struggles.
Falling below the Browns and Jets will be difficult achievement. Realistically, Minnesota could still hope for a Top 10 draft pick.
How the Vikings spend their first pick will be worth monitoring. It's uncertain if the team would even consider drafting another quarterback after spending a high pick on current starter J.J. McCarthy two drafts ago. That said, with Tennessee and New York likely set at quarterback with Cam Ward and Jaxson Dart, the top prospects could certainly fall past the first two picks in the draft if the current order holds. New Orleans may not feel as strongly about Tyler Shough as Tennessee and New York feel about their starters.
Regardless of how the draft shapes up, Minnesota looks to have a borderline premium pick on the way. They will look to fortify their roster in the draft and free agency over the 2026 offseason.