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Minnesota Vikings News & Rumors

Vikings, OLB Andrew Van Ginkel Agree On Extension

April 29th, 2025 at 3:11pm CST by Sam Robinson

Andrew Van Ginkel impressed upon reuniting with Brian Flores, enjoying a productive season as a pass rusher to help the Vikings finish the season as a top-five defense. The team will reward the former Dolphins defender for his work.

The Vikings are giving Van Ginkel a one-year, $23MM extension, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The deal comes nearly fully guaranteed, with $22.4MM being locked in. Minnesota now has Van Ginkel signed through 2026. This will bring a significant bump for Van Ginkel, who was due a $10.78MM 2025 base salary that featured $4MM guaranteed.

Coming up earlier this offseason as an extension candidate, Van Ginkel drew interest from the Rams and Eagles last year. He has shown himself to be a viable starter on the edge — after previously working as a backup.

Reinserted into Miami’s starting lineup as a pass rusher due to Jaelan Phillips‘ 2023 injury, Van Ginkel upped his free agency stock in the weeks that followed. He signed a two-year, $20MM Vikings deal in 2024. That contract was to void if no extension occurred before the start of the 2026 league year. The Vikings have checked off that piece of business Tuesday.

Van Ginkel, 29, built on his 2023 pass-rushing production by registering 11.5 sacks last season. The former Dolphins fifth-rounder, who arrived during Flores’ first offseason in charge, accumulated an impressive 18 tackles for loss and 19 QB hits last season. Van Ginkel had previously never posted 10 TFLs in a season. In addition to his sack production, Van Ginkel also intercepted two passes and returned both for touchdowns in his Vikings debut. He now has three pick-sixes in two years.

Minnesota acquired a second first-round pick in 2024. While most assumed it was to become key ammo in the franchise’s quest to select a quarterback, the Vikings — after seeing the Patriots decline their trade-up offer for Drake Maye — then traded up from that spot (via the Jaguars) to take edge rusher Dallas Turner at No. 17. Despite the lofty investment, Turner played behind Van Ginkel and big-ticket free agent signee Jonathan Greenard. This extension certainly looks like that setup will continue in 2025.

This one-year bump resembles the Bengals’ 2023 move for Trey Hendrickson, though it comes after just one Van Ginkel season. Hendrickson signed a one-year, $21MM extension in 2023, doing so after he had outplayed his previous deal during his first two Bengals seasons. Van Ginkel’s profile does not check in on Hendrickson’s level, minimizing the chance he and the Vikings will later be at odds. Instead, a former Day 3 draftee collected a key payment during an offseason in which the Vikings both moved on from Sam Darnold and saw Kirk Cousins‘ $28.5MM dead money hit come off the books.

The Vikings have J.J. McCarthy signed through 2027, affording them opportunities to make payments previously unrealistic due to Cousins’ six-year tenure (and seven-year run on the payroll). They will bet on Van Ginkel, who has scheme familiarity but a thin record of consistent pass-rushing production. Also seeing early-career time as an off-ball linebacker, Van Ginkel had previously topped out at six sacks in a season (2023). But he has settled as an edge presence.

The Vikings, who lost Patrick Jones in free agency, will continue to send a Greenard-Van Ginkel-Turner pass rush at opponents, with this contract ensuring all three are signed for at least two more seasons.

Vikings Sign 19 UDFAs

April 27th, 2025 at 11:02am CST by Ely Allen

The Vikings owned the NFL’s smallest draft class with only five selections this year, so naturally, they added a good amount of undrafted free agents to form a 24-man rookie class. Here are the 19 UDFAs the team signed:

An undersized runner, Stewart had an incredible year for the Gamecocks. In fact, with 1,678 rushing yards and 25 rushing touchdowns in 2024, Stewart joined top ten pick Ashton Jeanty as the only two FBS backs with over 1,600 yards and 25 scores on the ground.

After two strong years at Oregon State, Bolden wasn’t very productive as a receiver for the Longhorns. He was extremely productive, though, as a punt returner, notching 315 yards on 30 returns and scoring a touchdown. His return abilities netted him $205K in guaranteed money on his UDFA contract, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

Brown is a surprising get post-draft, considering he was projected to be an early-Day 3 selection. Likely a significant injury history kept him available to this point. Huber was another likely Day 3 selection. He started 13 games at right tackle at Cincinnati before transferring and shifting inside. He started as left guard in 2023 and right guard in 2024 for the Badgers. Despite only playing offensive line since 2019, Huber’s versatility was able to net him $210K guaranteed on his UDFA deal, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2.

Chambliss was impressive in his final season at Georgia with 6.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss, but his route to a 53-man roster will likely have to come through special teams contributions. Impressive length and production should give Vaughn a chance at the opening day roster. In five years at Utah (one redshirt season), Vaughn tallied 27 passes defensed, three interceptions, three sacks, and 14.0 tackles for loss.

2025 NFL Draft Results: Team By Team

April 26th, 2025 at 10:35pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here is every team’s haul from the 2025 NFL Draft:

Arizona Cardinals

  • Round 1, No. 16: Walter Nolen (DT, Ole Miss)
  • Round 2, No. 47: Will Johnson (CB, Michigan)
  • Round 3, No. 78: Jordan Burch (OLB, Oregon)
  • Round 4, No. 115: Cody Simon (LB, Ohio State)
  • Round 5, 174 (from Cowboys)*: Denzel Burke (CB, Ohio State)
  • Round 6, No. 211 (from Cowboys)*: Hayden Conner (G, Texas)
  • Round 7, No. 225 (from Jets through Chiefs): Kitan Crawford (S, Nevada)

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

  • Round 1, No. 30: Maxwell Hairston (CB, Kentucky)
  • Round 2, No. 41 (from Bears): T.J. Sanders (DT, South Carolina)
  • Round 3, No. 72 (from Bears): Landon Jackson (DE, Arkansas)
  • Round 4, No. 109 (from Bears through Bills and Bears): Deone Walker (DT, Kentucky)
  • Round 5, No. 170 (from Cowboys)*: Jordan Hancock (CB, Ohio State)
  • Round 5, No. 173*: Jackson Hawes (TE, Georgia Tech)
  • Round 6, No. 177 (from Giants): Dorian Strong (CB, Virginia Tech)
  • Round 6, No. 206: Chase Lundt (T, UConn)
  • Round 7, 240 (from Vikings through Browns and Bears): Kaden Prather (WR, Maryland)

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

  • Round 1, No. 12: Tyler Booker (G, Alabama)
  • Round 2, No. 44: Donovan Ezeiruaku (DE, Boston College)
  • Round 3, No. 76: Shavon Revel (CB, East Carolina)
  • Round 5, No. 149: Jaydon Blue (RB, Texas)
  • Round 5, No. 152 (from Cardinals): Shemar James (LB, Florida)
  • Round 6, No. 204 (from Lions through Browns and Bills): Ajani Cornelius (G, Oregon)
  • Round 7, No. 217 (from Titans through Patriots): Jay Toia (DT, UCLA)
  • Round 7, No. 239 (from Packers through Titans): Phil Mafah (RB, Clemson)
  • Round 7, No. 247 (from Chiefs through Panthers): Tommy Akingbesote (DT, Maryland)

Read more

Seahawks Trade Sam Howell To Vikings

April 26th, 2025 at 9:45pm CST by Ben Levine

The Seahawks added Jalen Milroe on Friday night, doing so after reacquiring Drew Lock. As Sam Darnold‘s backup crew looks set, the team is moving on from Geno Smith‘s final QB2.

Seattle is sending Sam Howell to the Vikings, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. Minnesota will add the former Washington starter, who had been on the trade block ahead of his contract year. The Seahawks paired Howell with the No. 172 pick, and they acquired pick No. 142, per Albert Breer of TheMMQB.

According to Jeremy Fowler, also of ESPN, the two teams have been quietly working on this deal since last week. Once the Seahawks’ offseason moves and draft intentions made it clear that they were ready to move on from Howell, conversations began the ultimately led to today’s trade.

There’s plenty of natural connections with this trade. The Seahawks, of course, poached Darnold from the Vikings with a lucrative free agent offer. Despite Aaron Rodgers heavily hinting at his desire to join the Vikings, the organization has made it clear they’re content to roll with J.J. McCarthy as their QB1.

Assuming the Vikings stuck with the status quo, that meant they still had an opening for a backup ahead of Brett Rypien. So, in comes Howell, who brings plenty of experience to the role. The former fifth-round pick started all 17 games for Washington in 2023. The Commanders went 4-13 in those outings, with Howell completing 63.4 percent of his passes for 3,946 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions.

The Vikings have been pretty adamant that they won’t be adding Rodgers to their QBs room, and the team’s depth chart seems to be taking shape with this latest acquisition. Rypien brings four games of starting experience, so the Vikings now have two fallback options should McCarthy struggle or suffer an injury.

The Seahawks traded from their surplus and managed to move up 30 spots in the draft. The team used their new selection on Notre Dame defensive tackle Rylie Mills. The lineman finished his Fighting Irish career with 17 sacks, including a career-high 7.5 this past season. A late-season knee injury may have slightly impacted his draft position, and the Seahawks are getting an agile defensive lineman who should be able to contribute right away.

Sam Robinson contributed to this report.

2025 NFL Draft Results By Round

April 26th, 2025 at 8:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

From the No. 1 overall pick to Mr. Irrelevant (No. 257), here are the results from the 2025 NFL Draft:

Round 1

1) Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward (QB, Miami)
2) Jacksonville Jaguars (from Browns): Travis Hunter (WR/CB, Colorado)
3) New York Giants: Abdul Carter (OLB, Penn State)
4) New England Patriots: Will Campbell (T, LSU)
5) Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars): Mason Graham (DT, Michigan)
6) Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty (RB, Boise State)
7) New York Jets: Armand Membou (T, Missouri)
8) Carolina Panthers: Tetairoa McMillan (WR, Arizona)
9) New Orleans Saints: Kelvin Banks Jr. (T, Texas)
10) Chicago Bears: Colston Loveland (TE, Michigan)
11) San Francisco 49ers: Mykel Williams (DE, Georgia)
12) Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Booker (G, Alabama)
13) Miami Dolphins: Kenneth Grant (DT, Michigan)
14) Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Warren (TE, Penn State)
15) Atlanta Falcons: Jalon Walker (LB, Georgia)
16) Arizona Cardinals: Walter Nolen (DT, Ole Miss)
17) Cincinnati Bengals: Shemar Stewart (DE, Texas A&M)
18) Seattle Seahawks: Grey Zabel (OL, North Dakota State)
19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Emeka Egbuka (WR, Ohio State)
20) Denver Broncos: Jahdae Barron (CB, Texas)
21) Pittsburgh Steelers: Derrick Harmon (DT, Oregon)
22) Los Angeles Chargers: Omarion Hampton (RB, North Carolina)
23) Green Bay Packers: Matthew Golden (WR, Texas)
24) Minnesota Vikings: Donovan Jackson (G, Ohio State)
25) New York Giants (from Texans): Jaxson Dart, QB (Ole Miss)
26) Atlanta Falcons (from Rams): James Pearce (DE, Tennessee)
27) Baltimore Ravens: Malaki Starks (S, Georgia)
28) Detroit Lions: Tyleik Williams (DT, Ohio State)
29) Washington Commanders: Josh Conerly Jr. (T, Oregon)
30) Buffalo Bills: Maxwell Hairston (CB, Kentucky)
31) Philadelphia Eagles (from Chiefs): Jihaad Campbell (LB, Alabama)
32) Kansas City Chiefs (from Eagles): Josh Simmons (T, Ohio State)

Round 2

33) Cleveland Browns: Carson Schwesinger (LB, UCLA)
34) Houston Texans (from Giants): Jayden Higgins (WR, Iowa State)
35) Seattle Seahawks (from Titans): Nick Emmanwori (S, South Carolina)
36) Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars): Quinshon Judkins (RB, Ohio State)
37) Miami Dolphins (from Raiders): Jonah Savaiinaea (G, Arizona)
38) New England Patriots: TreVeyon Henderson (RB, Ohio State)
39) Chicago Bears (from Panthers): Luther Burden (WR, Missouri)
40) New Orleans Saints: Tyler Shough (QB, Louisville)
41) Buffalo Bills (from Bears): T.J. Sanders (DT, South Carolina)
42) New York Jets: Mason Taylor (TE, LSU)
43) San Francisco 49ers: Alfred Collins (DT, Texas)
44) Dallas Cowboys: Donovan Ezeiruaku (DE, Boston College)
45) Indianapolis Colts: J.T. Tuimoloau (DE, Ohio State)
46) Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons): Terrance Ferguson (TE, Oregon)
47) Arizona Cardinals: Will Johnson (CB, Michigan)
48) Houston Texans (from Dolphins through Raiders): Aireontae Ersery (T, Minnesota)
49) Cincinnati Bengals: Demetrius Knight (LB, South Carolina)
50) Seattle Seahawks: Elijah Arroyo (TE, Miami)
51) Carolina Panthers (from Broncos): Nic Scourton (DE, Texas A&M)
52) Tennessee Titans (from Steelers through Seahawks): Femi Oladejo (OLB, UCLA)
53) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Benjamin Morrison (CB, Notre Dame)
54) Green Bay Packers: Anthony Belton, T (NC State)
55) Los Angeles Chargers: Tre Harris (WR, Ole Miss)
56) Chicago Bears (from Vikings through Texans and Bills): Ozzy Trapilo (T, Boston College)
57) Detroit Lions (from Panthers through Rams and Broncos): Tate Ratledge (G, Georgia)
58) Las Vegas Raiders (from Texans): Jack Bech (WR, TCU)
59) Baltimore Ravens: Mike Green (OLB, Marshall)
60) Denver Broncos (from Lions): R.J. Harvey (RB, Central Florida)
61) Washington Commanders: Trey Amos (CB, Ole Miss)
62) Chicago Bears (from Bills): Shemar Turner (DT, Texas A&M)
63) Kansas City Chiefs: Omarr Norman-Lott (DT, Tennessee)
64) Philadelphia Eagles: Andrew Mukuba (S, Texas)

Round 3

65) New York Giants: Darius Alexander (DT, Toledo)
66) Kansas City Chiefs (from Titans): Ashton Gillotte (DE, Louisville)
67) Cleveland Browns: Harold Fannin Jr. (TE, Bowling Green)
68) Las Vegas Raiders: Darien Porter (CB, Iowa State)
69) New England Patriots: Kyle Williams (WR, Washington State)
70) Detroit Lions (from Jaguars): Isaac TeSlaa (WR, Arkansas)
71) New Orleans Saints: Vernon Broughton (DT, Texas)
72) Buffalo Bills (from Bears): Landon Jackson (DE, Arkansas)
73) New York Jets: Azareye’h Thomas (CB, Florida State)
74) Denver Broncos (from Panthers): Pat Bryant (WR, Illinois)
75) San Francisco 49ers: Nick Martin (LB, Oklahoma State)
76) Dallas Cowboys: Shavon Revel (CB, East Carolina)
77) Carolina Panthers (from Patriots): Princely Umanmielen (OLB, Ole Miss)
78) Arizona Cardinals: Jordan Burch (OLB, Oregon)
79) Houston Texans (from Dolphins through Eagles via Commanders): Jaylin Noel (WR, Iowa State)
80) Indianapolis Colts: Justin Walley (CB, Minnesota)
81) Cincinnati Bengals: Dylan Fairchild (G, Georgia)
82) Tennessee Titans (from Seahawks): Kevin Winston (S, Penn State)
83) Pittsburgh Steelers: Kaleb Johnson (RB, Iowa)
84) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jacob Parrish (CB, Kansas State)
85) Kansas City Chiefs from Broncos through Panthers and Patriots): Nohl Williams (CB, Cal)
86) Los Angeles Chargers: Jamaree Caldwell (DT, Oregon)
87) Green Bay Packers: Savion Williams (WR, TCU)
88) Jacksonville Jaguars (from Vikings): Caleb Ransaw (CB, Tulane)
89) Jacksonville Jaguars (from Texans): Wyatt Milum (G, West Virginia)
90) Los Angeles Rams: Josaiah Stewart (OLB, Michigan)
91) Baltimore Ravens: Emery Jones (T, LSU)
92) Seattle Seahawks (from Lions through Jets via Raiders): Jalen Milroe (QB, Alabama)
93) New Orleans Saints (from Commanders): Jonas Sanker (S, Virginia)
94) Cleveland Browns (from Bills): Dillon Gabriel (QB, Oregon)
95) New England Patriots (from Chiefs): Jared Wilson (C, Georgia)
96) Atlanta Falcons (from Eagles): Xavier Watts (S, Notre Dame)
97) Houston Texans (from Vikings)*: Jaylin Smith (CB, USC)
98) Las Vegas Raiders (from Dolphins)*: Caleb Rogers (G, Texas Tech)
99) Las Vegas Raiders (from Giants through Texans)*: Charles Grant (T, William & Mary)
100) San Francisco 49ers*: Upton Stout (CB, Western Kentucky)
101) Denver Broncos (from Rams through Falcons and Eagles)*: Sai’Vion Jones (DE, LSU)
102) Minnesota Vikings (from Lions through Jaguars and Texans)*: Tai Felton (WR, Maryland)

Round 4

103) Tennessee Titans: Chimere Dike (WR, Florida)
104) Jacksonville Jaguars (from Browns): Bhayshul Tuten (RB, Virginia Tech)
105) New York Giants: Cameron Skattebo (RB, Arizona State)
106) New England Patriots: Craig Woodson (S, Cal)
107) Jacksonville Jaguars: Jack Kiser (LB, Notre Dame)
108) Las Vegas Raiders: Dont’e Thornton (WR, Tennessee)
109) Buffalo Bills (from Bears through Bills and Bears): Deone Walker (DT, Kentucky)
110) New York Jets: Arian Smith (WR, Georgia)
111) Philadelphia Eagles (from Panthers through Broncos): Ty Robinson (DT, Nebraska)
112) New Orleans Saints: Danny Stutsman (LB, Oklahoma)
113) San Francisco 49ers: CJ West (DT, Indiana)
114) Carolina Panthers (from Cowboys): Trevor Etienne (RB, Georgia)
115) Arizona Cardinals: Cody Simon (LB, Ohio State)
116) Houston Texans (from Dolphins): Woody Marks (RB, USC)
117) Los Angeles Rams (from Colts): Jarquez Hunter (RB, Arizona)
118) Atlanta Falcons: Billy Bowman (S, Oklahoma)
119) Cincinnati Bengals: Barrett Carter (LB, Clemson)
120) Tennessee Titans (from Seahawks): Gunnar Helm (TE, Texas)
121) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: David Walker (OLB, Central Arkansas)
122) Carolina Panthers (from Broncos): Lathan Ransom (S, Ohio State)
123) Pittsburgh Steelers: Jack Sawyer (OLB, Ohio State)
124) Green Bay Packers: Barryn Sorrell (DE, Texas)
125) Los Angeles Chargers: Kyle Kennard (OLB, South Carolina)
126) Cleveland Browns (from Vikings through Jaguars): Dylan Sampson (RB, Tennessee)
127) Indianapolis Colts (from Rams): Jalen Travis (T, Iowa State)
128) Washington Commanders (from Texans): Jaylin Lane (WR, Virginia Tech)
129) Baltimore Ravens: Teddye Buchanan (LB, Cal)
130) New York Jets (from Lions, Broncos and Eagles): Malachi Moore (S, Alabama)
131) New Orleans Saints (from Commanders): Quincy Riley (CB, Louisville)
132) Chicago Bears (from Bills): Ruban Hyppolite (LB, Maryland)
133) Kansas City Chiefs: Jalen Royals (WR, Utah State)
134) Denver Broncos (from Eagles through Lions and Eagles): Que Robinson (OLB, Alabama)
135) Las Vegas Raiders (from Dolphins)*: Tonka Hemingway (DT, South Carolina)
136) Tennessee Titans (from Ravens)*: Elic Ayomanor (WR, Stanford)
137) New England Patriots (from Seahawks)*: Joshua Farmer (DT, Florida State)
138) San Francisco 49ers*: Jordan Watkins (WR, Ole Miss)

Round 5

139) Minnesota Vikings (from Browns): Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (DT, Georgia)
140) Carolina Panthers (from Giants): Cam Jackson (DT, Florida)
141) Baltimore Ravens (from Titans): Carson Vinson (T, Alabama A&M)
142) Seattle Seahawks (from Jaguars through Texans and Vikings): Rylie Mills (DT, Notre Dame)
143) Miami Dolphins (from Raiders): Jordan Phillips (DT, Maryland)
144) Cleveland Browns (from Patriots through Seahawks): Shedeur Sanders (QB, Colorado)
145) Philadelphia Eagles (from Jets): Mac McWilliams (CB, Central Florida)
146) New England Patriots (from Panthers): Bradyn Swinson (OLB, LSU)
147) San Francisco 49ers (from Saints through Commanders): Jordan James (RB, Oregon)
148) Los Angeles Rams (from Bears): Ty Hamilton (DT, Ohio State)
149) Dallas Cowboys: Jaydon Blue (RB, Texas)
150) Miami Dolphins: Jason Marshall (CB, Florida)
151) Indianapolis Colts: DJ Giddens (RB, Kansas State)
152) Dallas Cowboys (from Cardinals): Shemar James (LB, Florida)
153) Cincinnati Bengals: Jalen Rivers (T, Miami)
154) New York Giants (from Seahawks): Marcus Mbow (G, Purdue)
155) Miami Dolphins (from Broncos): Dante Trader (S, Maryland)
156) Kansas City Chiefs (from Steelers): Jeffrey Bassa (LB, Oregon)
157) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Elijah Roberts (OLB, SMU)
158) Los Angeles Chargers: KeAndre Lambert-Smith (WR, Auburn)
159) Green Bay Packers: Collin Oliver (DE, Oklahoma State)
160) San Francisco 49ers (from Vikings): Marques Sigle (S, Kansas State)
161) Philadelphia Eagles (from Texans): Smael Mondon (LB, Georgia)
162) New York Jets (from Rams through Steelers): Francisco Mauigoa (LB, Miami)
163) Carolina Panthers (from Ravens): Mitchell Evans (TE, Notre Dame)
164) Pittsburgh Steelers (from Lions through Browns, Eagles and Chiefs): Yahya Black (DE, Iowa)
165) Los Angeles Chargers (from Commanders through Eagles): Oronde Gadsden II (TE, Syracuse)
166) Seattle Seahawks (from Bills through Texans and Browns): Tory Horton (WR, Colorado State)
167) Tennessee Titans (from Chiefs): Jackson Slater (G, Sacramento State)
168) Philadelphia Eagles: Drew Kendall (C, Boston College)
169) Chicago Bears (from Bills)*: Zah Frazier (CB, Texas-San Antonio)
170) Buffalo Bills (from Cowboys)*: Jordan Hancock (CB, Ohio State)
171) Detroit Lions (from Cowboys through Patriots)*: Miles Frazier (G, LSU)
172) Los Angeles Rams (from Seahawks through Vikings)*: Chris Paul Jr. (LB, Ole Miss)
173) Buffalo Bills*: Jackson Hawes (TE, Georgia Tech)
174) Arizona Cardinals (from Cowboys)*: Denzel Burke (CB, Ohio State)
175) Seattle Seahawks*: Robbie Ouzts (TE, Alabama)
176) New York Jets (from Ravens)*: Tyler Baron (DE, Miami)

Round 6

177) Buffalo Bills (from Giants): Dorian Strong (CB, Virginia Tech)
178) Baltimore Ravens (from Titans): Bilhal Kone (CB, Western Michigan)
179) Miami Dolphins (from Browns through Texans): Ollie Gordon (RB, Oklahoma State)
180) Las Vegas Raiders: J.J. Pegues (DT, Ole Miss)
181) Philadelphia Eagles (from Patriots through Chargers): Kyle McCord (QB, Syracuse)
182) New England Patriots (from Jaguars through Lions): Andres Borregales (K, Miami)
183) Tennessee Titans (from Panthers through Ravens): Marcus Harris (CB, Cal)
184) New Orleans Saints (reacquired through Commanders): Devin Neal (RB, Kansas)
185) Pittsburgh Steelers (from Bears through Seahawks): Will Howard (QB, Ohio State)
186) Baltimore Ravens (from Jets): Tyler Loop (K, Arizona)
187) Houston Texans (from 49ers through Vikings): Jaylen Reed (S, Penn State)
188) Tennessee Titans (from Cowboys): Kalel Mullings (RB, Michigan)
189) Indianapolis Colts: Riley Leonard (QB, Notre Dame)
190) Indianapolis Colts (from Falcons through Rams): Tim Smith (DT, Alabama)
191) Philadelphia Eagles (from Cardinals through Broncos): Myles Hinton (OL, Michigan)
192) Seattle Seahawks (from Dolphins through Bears): Bryce Cabeldue (G, Kansas)
193) Cincinnati Bengals: Tahj Brooks (RB, Texas Tech)
194) Jacksonville Jaguars (from Seahawks): Jalen McLeod (LB, Auburn)
195) Chicago Bears (from Steelers and Rams): Luke Newman (G, Michigan State)
196) Detroit Lions (from Buccaneers): Ahmed Hassanein (OLB, Boise State)
197) Houston Texans (from Broncos): Graham Mertz (QB, Florida)
198) Green Bay Packers: Warren Brinson (DT, Georgia)
199) Los Angeles Chargers: Branson Taylor (G, Pittsburgh)
200) Jacksonville Jaguars (from Vikings through Browns): Rayuan Lane (S, Navy)
201) Minnesota Vikings (from Rams): Kobe King (LB, Penn State)
202) Minnesota Vikings (from Texans through Steelers, Bears and Rams): Gavin Bartholomew (TE, Pittsburgh)
203) Baltimore Ravens: LaJohntay Wester (WR, Colorado)
204) Dallas Cowboys (from Lions through Browns via Bills): Ajani Cornelius (G, Oregon)
205) Washington Commanders: Kain Medrano (LB, UCLA)
206) Buffalo Bills: Chase Lundt (T, UConn)
207) Philadelphia Eagles (from Chiefs): Cameron Williams (T, Texas)
208) Carolina Panthers (from Eagles through Broncos): Jimmy Horn (WR, Colorado)
209) Philadelphia Eagles (from Chargers)*: Antwaun Powell-Ryland (DE, Virginia Tech)
210) Baltimore Ravens*: Aeneas Peebles (DT, Virginia Tech)
211) Arizona Cardinals (from Cowboys)*: Hayden Conner (G, Texas)
212) Baltimore Ravens*: Robert Longerbeam (CB, Rutgers)
213) Las Vegas Raiders*: Tommy Mellott (QB/WR, Montana State)
214) Los Angeles Chargers*: R.J. Mickens (S, Clemson)
215) Las Vegas Raiders*: Cam Miller (QB, North Dakota State)
216) Denver Broncos (from Browns through Texans)*: Jeremy Crawshaw (P, Florida)

Round 7

217) Dallas Cowboys (from Titans through Patriots): Jay Toia (DT, UCLA)
218) Atlanta Falcons (from Browns through Chargers): Jack Nelson (T, Wisconsin)
219) New York Giants: Thomas Fidone III (TE, Nebraska)
220) New England Patriots: Marcus Bryant (T, Missouri)
221) Jacksonville Jaguars: Jonah Monheim (C, USC)
222) Las Vegas Raiders: Cody Lindenberg (LB, Minnesota)
223) Seattle Seahawks (from Saints through Eagles via Steelers): Damien Martinez (RB, Miami)
224) Houston Texans (from Bears through Texans): Kyonte Hamilton (DT, Rutgers)
225) Arizona Cardinals (from Jets through Chiefs): Kitan Crawford (S, Nevada)
226) Pittsburgh Steelers (from Panthers and Chiefs): Carson Bruener (LB, Washington)
227) San Francisco 49ers: Kurtis Rourke (QB, Indiana)
228) Kansas City Chiefs (from Cowboys through Lions via Patriots): Brashard Smith (RB, SMU)
229) Pittsburgh Steelers (from Falcons through Eagles): Donte Kent (CB, Central Michigan)
230) Detroit Lions (from Cardinals through Panthers and Broncos): Dan Jackson (S, Georgia)
231) Miami Dolphins: Quinn Ewers (QB, Texas)
232) Indianapolis Colts: Hunter Wohler (S, Wisconsin)
233) Chicago Bears (from Bengals): Kyle Monangai (RB, Rutgers)
234) Seattle Seahawks: Mason Richman (T, Iowa)
235) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tez Johnson (WR ,Oregon)
236) Jacksonville Jaguars (from Broncos through Eagles, Commanders and Texans): LeQuint Allen (RB, Syracuse)
237) Green Bay Packers (from Steelers): Micah Robinson (CB, Tulane)
238) Seattle Seahawks from Chargers through Patriots): Ricky White (WR, UNLV)
239) Dallas Cowboys (from Packers through Titans): Phil Mafah (RB, Clemson)
240) Buffalo Bills (from Vikings through Browns and Bears): Kaden Prather (WR, Maryland)
241) Denver Broncos (from Texans): Caleb Lohner (TE, Utah)
242) Los Angeles Rams (reacquired from Falcons): Konata Mumpfield (WR, Pittsburgh)
243) Baltimore Ravens: Garrett Dellinger (G, LSU)
244) Detroit Lions: Dominic Lovett (WR, Georgia)
245) Washington Commanders: Jacory Croskey-Merritt (RB, Arizona)
246) New York Giants (from Bills): Korie Black (CB, Oklahoma State)
247) Dallas Cowboys (from Chiefs through Panthers): Tommy Akingbesote (DT, Maryland)
248) New Orleans Saints (from Eagles through Commanders): Moliki Matavao (TE, UCLA)
249) San Francisco 49ers*: Connor Colby (G, Iowa)
250) Green Bay Packers*: John Williams (G, Cincinnati)
251) New England Patriots (from Chiefs)*: Julian Ashby (LS, Vanderbilt)
252) San Francisco 49ers*: Junior Bergen (WR, Montana)
253) Miami Dolphins*: Zeek Biggers (DT, Georgia Tech)
254) New Orleans Saints*: Fadil Diggs (DE, Syracuse)
255) Houston Texans (from Browns)*: Luke Lachey (TE, Iowa)
256) Los Angeles Chargers*: Trikweze Bridges (CB, Florida)
257) New England Patriots (from Chiefs)* Kobee Minor (CB, Memphis)

* = compensatory pick

Vikings To Sign QB Max Brosmer As UDFA

April 26th, 2025 at 6:53pm CST by Adam La Rose

With the 2025 draft in the books, UDFA signings have already begun. At least one notable quarterback deal is included among the first ones to be agreed to.

Max Brosmer – who finished his college career at Minnesota – will be staying in the state this offseason. The Vikings are set to sign him as an undrafted free agent, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports. He adds this pact includes $250K guaranteed.

Brosmer spent four years at New Hampshire, serving as the school’s full-time starter during that span. He earned first-team All-American honors in 2023 before a one-and-done campaign with the Golden Gophers. Brosmer set a new career-high in completion percentage last year (66.5%), but he only threw 18 touchdowns (coupled with six interceptions). Given the 24-year-old’s age, coupled with that level of production, the chance loomed that Brosmer would not hear his name called during the draft.

In spite of that turning out to be the case, he has not needed to wait long to land an NFL opportunity. With his deal in hand, Brosmer will turn his attention to competing for a third-string gig in Minnesota. The Vikings are in position to hand starting duties over to J.J. McCarthy after the 2024 first-rounder missed his entire rookie campaign due to injury.

Veterans Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones each departed on the open market knowing McCarthy was in place to assume the QB1 role. Questions remained entering the draft, therefore, about the Vikings’ depth under center. That was addressed to an extent earlier today with the trade acquisition of Sam Howell. The former Commander and Seahawk will be counted on to operate as a backup, while Brosmer will aim to win the third-string role. Doing so could ensure a roster spot during cutdowns; otherwise, a practice squad arrangement could be in store.

Texans Collect No. 97 From Vikings

April 25th, 2025 at 10:07pm CST by Adam La Rose

A flurry of trades is closing out Day 2 of the draft. The Texans are adding No. 97 from the Vikings, who are sliding down five spots.

Minnesota will move into tonight’s final slot (No. 102) and add No. 142 as well. In addition to 97, Houston will add No. 187. The Texans chose USC cornerback Jaylin Smith at 97.

Smith spent his entire four-year career with the Trojans, starting 32 of 43 games. His most productive campaign came in 2024, when he posted four pass deflections and a pair of interceptions. Those figures helped him earn third-team All-Big Ten honors.

Given Smith’s size (5-11, 187 pounds), it would come as no surprise if he were to operate in the slot at the NFL level. Especially given Houston’s CB setup, competing for defensive time on the inside should be expected. Smith could, at a minimum, look to earn snaps on special teams right away.

The Texans used a second-round pick on Kamari Lassiter last year, and he enjoyed a strong rookie campaign. Derek Stingley Jr., meanwhile, is on the books for years to come thanks to his monster extension signed this offseason. Those two will remain atop the depth chart for perimeter corners in 2025 and beyond. Smith could look to serve as a backup if he sees time on the outside at the NFL level.

Houston ranked sixth against the pass in 2024, and DeMeco Ryans‘ team will be expected to duplicate that success next season. Smith could manage to play a role in that effort depending on his performance in training camp, or he could at least give the team a low-cost option in the secondary for years to come.

Sam Robinson contributed to this post.

2026 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker

April 25th, 2025 at 2:18pm CST by Sam Robinson

NFL teams have until May 1 to officially pick up fifth-year options on 2022 first-rounders. The 2020 CBA revamped the option structure and made them fully guaranteed, rather than guaranteed for injury only. Meanwhile, fifth-year option salaries are now determined by a blend of performance- and usage-based benchmarks:

  • Two-time Pro Bowlers (excluding alternates) will earn the same as their position’s franchise tag
  • One-time Pro Bowlers will earn the equivalent of the transition tag
  • Players who achieve any of the following will receive the average of the third-20th-highest salaries at their position:
    • At least a 75% snap rate in two of their first three seasons
    • A 75% snap average across all three seasons
    • At least 50% in each of first three seasons
  • Players who do not hit any of those benchmarks will receive the average of the third-25th top salaries at their position

We covered how last year’s Pro Bowl invites affected the 2022 first-round class. With the deadline looming, we will use the space below to track all the 2026 option decisions from around the league:

  1. DE/OLB Travon Walker, Jaguars ($14.75MM): Exercised
  2. DE/OLB Aidan Hutchinson, Lions ($19.87MM): Exercised
  3. CB Derek Stingley Jr., Texans ($17.6MM): Extended through 2029
  4. CB Sauce Gardner, Jets ($20.19MM): Exercised
  5. OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux, Giants ($14.75MM): Exercised
  6. T Ikem Ekwonu, Panthers ($17.56MM): Exercised
  7. T Evan Neal, Giants ($16.69MM): Declined
  8. WR Drake London, Falcons ($16.82MM)
  9. T Charles Cross, Seahawks ($17.56MM): Exercised
  10. WR Garrett Wilson, Jets ($16.82MM)
  11. WR Chris Olave, Saints ($15.49MM): Exercised
  12. WR Jameson Williams, Lions ($15.49MM): Exercised
  13. DT Jordan Davis, Eagles ($12.94MM)
  14. S Kyle Hamilton, Ravens ($18.6MM)
  15. G Kenyon Green, Eagles* ($16.69MM)
  16. WR Jahan Dotson, Eagles** ($16.82MM): Declined
  17. G Zion Johnson, Chargers ($17.56MM)
  18. WR Treylon Burks, Titans ($15.49MM): Likely to be declined
  19. T Trevor Penning, Saints ($16.69MM): Declined
  20. QB Kenny Pickett, Browns*** ($22.12MM): Declined
  21. CB Trent McDuffie, Chiefs ($17.6MM): Exercised
  22. LB Quay Walker, Packers ($14.75MM): Likely to be declined
  23. CB Kaiir Elam, Cowboys**** ($12.68MM)
  24. G Tyler Smith, Cowboys ($20.99MM): Exercised
  25. C Tyler Linderbaum, Ravens ($20.99MM)
  26. DE Jermaine Johnson, Jets ($13.92MM): Exercised
  27. LB Devin Lloyd, Jaguars ($14.75MM)
  28. DT Devonte Wyatt, Packers ($12.94MM)
  29. G Cole Strange, Patriots ($16.69MM)
  30. DE George Karlaftis, Chiefs ($15.12MM): Exercised
  31. DB Dax Hill, Bengals ($12.68MM): To be exercised
  32. S Lewis Cine, Vikings: N/A

* = traded from Texans on March 11, 2025
** = traded from Commanders on August 22, 2024
*** = traded from Eagles on March 15, 2024; traded from Steelers on March 10, 2025
**** = traded from Bills to Cowboys on March 12, 2025

Giants Draft Fallout: Wilson, Dart, Daboll, Sanders, Schoen, Browns, Rams, Pack, Vikes

April 25th, 2025 at 1:10pm CST by Sam Robinson

Post-draft, Brian Daboll confirmed Russell Wilson will remain the Giants‘ starter entering the season. Considering Jaxson Dart‘s profile, it should not be expected the former Ole Miss and USC passer would have a good chance to overtake Wilson before the season. But Daboll and GM Joe Schoen’s New York fates are almost definitely tethered to Dart now.

After passing on Michael Penix, J.J. McCarthy and Bo Nix last year, the Giants traded three Day 2 picks to land Dart at No. 25. They did not view any of the non-Cam Ward QBs in this class as worthy of No. 3 overall, where Abdul Carter went as expected. But the decision to go with Dart over Shedeur Sanders provided a signature sequence during this draft’s opening night.

A pre-draft report indicated the Giants were split on Sanders (as the Dart pairing gained steam), and while the QB still had support in the building going into the draft, The Athletic’s Dan Duggan indicates the Colorado prospect’s momentum cooled as the coaches became involved in the evaluation process. Rumblings of Daboll preferring Dart look to have been accurate. The Giants did more work on Sanders compared to Dart, per the New York Daily News’ Pat Leonard, who indicates Schoen scouted on in-person Dart performance. Conversely, a pre-draft assessment tabbed the fourth-year Giants GM as having “lived in Boulder.”

It would appear Daboll drove the bus for Dart, as Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz offers, and teams’ reported issues with Sanders’ attitude look to have included a Giants encounter. A Daboll-Sanders pre-draft meeting did not go well, according to The Ringer’s Todd McShay (via the New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy). A quarterback who had entered the pre-draft process as a fairly safe top-10 pick fell out of the first round, with Giants and Steelers decisions defining the second-generation NFL prospect’s night. The Steelers chose Oregon D-lineman Derrick Harmon four picks before the Giants moved back into Round 1 for Dart.

The Giants initially contacted other teams about trading up, as Duggan adds Schoen saw some of his offers to move back up rejected. We heard midway through the first round the Giants had launched their effort to move back into Round 1 — a rumored pursuit that we now know was Dart-based — but he did not see the offers gain much traction until around 22.

The Steelers passing undoubtedly intensified the Giants’ effort to land their second-favorite QB in this class (after Ward trade efforts failed). The Chargers passed to draft Omarion Hampton, but the Texans allowed the Giants to move up three spots later. It cost the team Nos. 34, 99 and a 2026 third-round pick. The Giants held a second third-rounder this year, helping move the trade across the goal line.

Green Bay and Minnesota turned down trade offers for the Nos. 23 and 24 overall picks, according to The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman and the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling. It is safe to assume Schoen made calls to both NFC North teams, as he was leery of another QB-needy club swooping in. The Browns, Saints and Rams had been connected to making a move at this juncture of the draft, while the Steelers’ need remained after their Harmon pick.

Several teams made the Packers offers, Brian Gutekunst said. Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said talks intensified shortly before his team’s No. 24 pick. In addition to the QB-needy lot, the Falcons were angling to move up for edge rusher James Pearce Jr., which they did (via the Rams) at No. 26. That move cost a first-round pick, while the Giants escaped without needing to part with their 2026 first.

New York’s move came in part because of a fear the Browns were eyeing Dart, ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan tweets. Other teams shared this view, even though a draft-day report connected the Steelers, Rams and Saints to Dart. Though, the Browns were able to keep their Travis Hunter negotiations with the Jaguars quiet for weeks; they look to have done the same with Dart. Holding the top pick in Round 2 and a second selection three spots later (thanks to the Hunter swap), Cleveland now has its choice of the remaining QBs. The team could have put together an enticing package to move up, but it stood down. The Giants just made sure the AFC North club could not choose Dart. The Rams were not a factor for Dart, per Raanan and SNY’s Connor Hughes.

Although the Giants were still meeting on QBs this week, per Schoen, Leonard adds Daboll and Dart had begun texting daily after the Giants sent a sizable contingent to Ole Miss’ mid-March pro day. That communication understandably cooled before the draft, leaving Dart in the dark, but he will be asked to do what Daniel Jones could not. (That said, Jones was still a six-year Giants starter.) His tenure, however, moved Daboll and Schoen to the hot seat. Considering Jones was a Dave Gettleman pick, it had always seemed logical — despite the Wilson and Jameis Winston signings — this regime would tab its QB in this draft.

The Giants will aim to give Dart a full-season redshirt, Duggan adds. A previous plan did not get off the ground, as Jones replaced Eli Manning in Week 2 of his rookie season. Wilson’s post-Seattle play also may not be enough to hold off Dart, but the RPO-based college passer will almost definitely require some in-season acclimation time. Calls for the rookie will likely be loud, especially as the Giants’ schedule includes eight games against the NFC North and AFC West — not to mention the four against the teams that played for the NFC title last season.

The Schoen-Daboll regime also stands to be eager to sink or swim with a quarterback it drafted, rather than allow Wilson to steer the ship too far off course while John Mara evaluates the current power structure’s future. Going into training camp, however, Wilson will have a firm grip on the job. This will be new territory for the potential Hall of Famer, however, as he has not needed to fend off a highly drafted rookie previously.

Vikings Draft G Donovan Jackson At No. 24

April 24th, 2025 at 9:54pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Vikings were busy adding up front in free agency, and that has continued via the draft. Minnesota has selected Ohio State guard Donovan Jackson at No. 24.

Only entering the draft with four picks, the Vikings nevertheless used their top 2025 draft asset to complete an interior O-line overhaul. After signing ex-Colts Ryan Kelly and Will Fries in free agency, Minnesota is adding Jackson, who played both guard and tackle at Ohio State last season. In the NFL, however, Jackson is expected to line up inside.

Set at tackle, in rostering Brian O’Neill and a recovering Christian Darrisaw, the Vikings changed up significantly inside. They traded benched guard Ed Ingram, a 2022 second-round pick, to the Texans. Dalton Risner, a two-year stopgap of sorts, has not re-signed. It should be expected Jackson will usurp Blake Brandel at one of the guard positions, while Fries mans the other spot after the Vikes won a free agent derby to land one of this year’s top available blockers.

Jackson gave the Vikings plenty of tape to study. He started at guard throughout the 2022 and ’23 seasons, at a program known for churning out O-line talent, and slid to left tackle after Josh Simmons suffered a patellar tendon tear last season. Despite this Buckeyes nucleus’ profile rising thanks to the late-season charge to the national title last season, Jackson was already on the NFL radar after earning first-team All-Big Ten acclaim in 2022 and ’23 as a guard. He repeated that feat last season, helping Ohio State (and transfer QB Will Howard) to a championship.

The Vikes having Jackson also should help them from a roster-building sense, as Darrisaw is on a top-five LT contract while O’Neill is attached to an upper-crust RT deal. The team also gave Fries top-10 guard money to commit to the Twin Cities, while Kelly is signed to a short-term deal at a mid-market center rate.

Adam La Rose contributed to this post.

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