The Minnesota Vikings have the 23rd pick in the NFL Draft when Round 1 begins on April 27 in Kansas City. The Vikings own five total picks in the seven-round draft.
Vikings’ draft picks
| Round | Pick | Overall | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | 23 | 23 | |
3 | 24 | 87 | |
4 | 17 | 119 | From Lions |
5 | 24 | 158 | |
6 | 34 | 211 | Compensatory |
Full draft order
Every pick in the seven-round NFL Draft.
NFL Draft details
• Round 1: April 27, 8 p.m. ET
• Rounds 2-3: April 28, 7 p.m. ET
• Rounds 4-7: April 29, Noon ET
All rounds will be televised on ESPN/ABC and NFL Network and in Spanish on ESPN Deportes.
About the Vikings
• Head coach: Kevin O’Connell (second season)
• General manager: Kwesi Adofo-Mensah
• Last year’s record: 13-4
The Vikings are transitioning. Youth and long-term financial flexibility appear to be the guiding principles behind the team’s decision-making. Both factors explain the team’s release of LB Eric Kendricks and WR Adam Thielen and the signings of DE Marcus Davenport and CB Byron Murphy Jr. Still, this is a team that won 13 games and the NFC North title in 2022. The Vikings are not punting on competing for another division title in 2023, while also setting their sights on the years beyond.
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Vikings’ moves shed light on GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s ‘competitive rebuild’ plan
Vikings’ key position needs
Cornerback: Cornerback remains a need. Murphy’s presence will help, but the Vikings lost Patrick Peterson, Cam Dantzler and Duke Shelley. Minnesota desperately needs to add depth at the position.
Defensive tackle: Adding an imposing interior defensive lineman would also make sense. Even though the Vikings added Dean Lowry via free agency, the loss of Dalvin Tomlinson looms large.
Linebacker: Another inside linebacker could help transform a defense that ranked 27th in Football Outsiders’ DVOA in 2022. The Vikings have veteran Jordan Hicks and 2022 draftee Brian Asamoah, but an additional high-end option would be a boon.
Vikings draft analysis
NFL Draft big board: 25 prospects who could make sense for the Vikings in Round 1.
Vikings’ draft plans after the first wave of free agency: Could they move up in the first round to draft Kirk Cousins’ eventual replacement?
What we learned at the NFL combine: The Vikings are focused on their defensive front and ensuring they have enough pass-rush productivity.
The Athletic’s most recent mock drafts
March 22: Beat writer mock draft: QBs go quickly, surprise trade
Alec Lewis makes a shocking trade to move the Vikings up to No. 7 to take Kentucky QB Will Levis.
March 13: After Panthers trade for No. 1, quarterbacks go 1-2-3-4
Ben Standig has the Vikings opting for cornerback help in the form of Maryland’s Deonte Banks.
March 9: Vikings mock draft: A first-round trade to help fortify both lines of scrimmage
Vikings’ last five top picks
2022: S Lewis Cine, pick No. 32 — The safety from Georgia suffered a compound fracture last season in Minnesota’s Week 4 game in London. Cine hadn’t played many defensive snaps before then. The training staff has raved about Cine’s recovery, though, and the team has high hopes for him in 2023 and beyond.
2021: OL Christian Darrisaw, pick No. 23 — Selected to be the team’s left tackle, Darrisaw is on his way to stardom. Teammates rave about his reliability. And he’s still only 23 years old.
2020: WR Justin Jefferson, pick No. 22 — Perhaps one of the best draft picks in recent NFL memory, no receiver has produced more through three years of his NFL career than Jefferson. He is a megastar who has become the franchise’s cornerstone.
2019: C Garrett Bradbury, pick No. 18 — Drafted to be an elite center, Bradbury struggled his first few years. He showed signs of improvement this past season, however, which is why the team re-signed him in free agency.
2018: CB Mike Hughes, pick No. 30 — In three years, Hughes only played 24 games in a Vikings uniform, starting just seven. His inability to grow into a starter set the Vikings back at the position, forcing them into free agency for cornerback help.
(Photo: Nick Wass / Associated Press)