Following the departures of quarterback Kirk Cousins and pass rusher Danielle Hunter this offseason, the Minnesota Vikings seemed to be on track to be rewarded with not one, but two third-round compensatory selections in the 2025 NFL Draft.
However, at least one of those compensatory picks might now be in jeopardy.
It was recently revealed that the contract the Vikings signed free-agent cornerback Shaquill Griffin to this offseason is worth $4.55 million. With Griffin signing a deal with Minnesota that is worth more than $3 million, the team is now only projected to land one third-round compensatory draft pick in 2025, according to Over The Cap.
Minnesota Vikings can still end up with two third-round compensatory picks in the 2025 NFL Draft
Despite the fact that the Vikings eliminated one of their 2025 third-round compensatory draft selections with their recent signing of Griffin, the team can still get it back this offseason.
In order for this to happen, Minnesota needs free-agent offensive lineman Dalton Risner to sign a contract with another NFL team that is worth at least $3 million.
However, if Risner re-signs with the Vikings or he signs a deal with another team that is worth less than $3 million, then Minnesota will only end up with one third-round compensatory pick in the 2025 draft.
Considering how the Vikings are currently attempting to figure out a way to trade up in the first round of this year's NFL Draft to land one of the top quarterbacks, possibly getting two additional third-round selections in the 2025 draft would be huge.
Depending on what sort of trade Minnesota is able to complete to move up in the opening round of the draft in April (if they are able to actually complete one), they might not have a pick in the 2025 draft until the third round.
Currently, the Vikings already have one third-round selection in 2025, so if they get two more in the round due to the NFL's compensatory pick formula, then they could potentially have some ammo to trade up into the second round if they feel necessary.
Risner is still a free agent as of Thursday, and Minnesota's decision to re-sign Blake Brandel earlier this month has some believing Risner won't be returning to the team for the 2024 season.
It's still possible that Risner could re-sign with the Vikings this year. But for the sake of Minnesota's chance at getting an additional third-round compensatory draft pick in 2025, let's just hope he lands a deal elsewhere this offseason.