Sam Darnold has done an incredible job as the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings. However, the next few weeks are really going to tell the rest of the NFL just how good Darnold really is.
The Vikings will (probably) have a difficult choice to make on who starts at quarterback in 2025. There is a scenario in which the Vikings win a playoff game or two and decide they either want Darnold back or they don’t want him to leave for nothing.
In that case, the Vikings can consider placing the $40 million dollar franchise tag on Darnold and start shopping him around.
Considering the 2025 NFL Draft has only two legit first-round passing prospects in Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, some teams are going to be desperate to upgrade at quarterback.
Let’s see how a post Darnold tag-and-trade mock could look like.
2025 Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft: Sam Darnold tag-and-trade version
Trade:
Vikings trade Sam Darnold to Tennessee Titans for picks No. 35, 107, 179 in 2025 and a 2026 conditional third-round selection
First-Round Pick (30th Overall)
Deone Walker - DL (Kentucky)
Harrison Phillips is playing out of position on this defense. Phillips is more effective as a 3-4 defensive end than a nose tackle.
Deone Walker is a plug-and-play, three-down nose tackle. Not many 6-foot-6, 350-pound defensive lineman can move the way Walker does.
Second-Round Pick (35th Overall)
Omarion Hampton - RB (North Carolina)
Cam Akers has done a nice job in relief of Aaron Jones throughout games, but Akers is scheduled to be a free agent at season’s end. The Vikings need a viable replacement.
Hampton is the perfect compliment to Jones (assuming he is back next season). The Tar Heel’s strong frame will be especially helpful in the red zone next season.
Fourth-Round Pick (107th Overall)
Denzel Burke - CB (Ohio State)
If you asked me back in September, I would have told you Burke is a sure-fire first round pick. It wasn’t until the Oregon game that he was flat-out exposed in coverage.
As the season has gone on, we’ve seen Davison Igbinosun take over the CB1 role for the Buckeyes, but nevertheless, there’s a ton of talent in Burke's game that Minnesota's coaching staff can develop.
Fifth-Round Pick No. 1 (143rd Overall)
Marcus Mbow - OL (Purdue)
Mbow is an interesting study. He played tackle at Purdue, but the majority of draft experts believe he is better suited inside. Mbow would be a great addition to the Vikings' offensive line room and can develop into a starting guard or maybe even a starting center.
Fifth-Round Pick No. 2 (165th Overall)
Lathan Ransom - S (Ohio State)
A former highly ranked recruit who took time to develop is Columbus. His story would be no different in Minnesota, most likely an immediate special teams addition while developing his skills in a room with Harrison Smith.
Sixth-Round Pick (179th Overall)
Luke Lachey - TE (Iowa)
Iowa is a tight end factory, pushing out NFL talent year after year. Luke Lachey is no different. At one point Lachey was being talked about more than his former teammate Sam LaPorta, now the star tight end with the Detroit Lions.
Lachey has had some unlucky injury history during his tenure at Iowa, but if he can stay healthy, he is an immediate upgrade over Johnny Mundt.