2025 NFL Draft: 10 sleeper players the Vikings could target in the later rounds

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The NFL Draft is the ultimate “Choose Your Own Adventure” story. The choices you make and the route you take affect the world you eventually live in.

For example, if the Minnesota Vikings target an interior offensive lineman in the first round — which seems fairly likely — the rest of the draft could go a certain way. The same goes for a potential trade down.

It’s fun to explore the scenarios at the top, but how about later on? Who could be in play on Days 2 and 3? Which lesser-known prospects are worth keeping an eye on? And why?

Here are answers to those questions in the form of 10 players Minnesota could be in the market for come Friday and Saturday of draft week:

Shemar Turner, DT, Texas A&M

Using a mid-round pick on an interior defensive lineman would be possible if the Vikings select an interior offensive lineman at the top of the draft.

Turner is an interesting prospect. He was a highly touted high schooler from DeSoto, Texas, who played all four years at Texas A&M. He played a hefty amount of defensive end but is more of an interior player than an edge rusher.

Turner offers traits but not much collegiate production. He only recorded two sacks in 2024, and his pressure rate was similarly disappointing, but he was navigating a stress fracture throughout the season that required an operation this winter. At 6-foot-3 and 290 pounds, he could be a player with a lot of potential for defensive coordinator Brian Flores and defensive line coach Marcus Dixon to mold.

Kevin Winston Jr., S, Penn State

It would not be a surprise to see Minnesota draft a safety. Harrison Smith, 36, will retire eventually. (Doubt him playing beyond this season at your peril, though.) Next to him will likely be Theo Jackson, whom the Vikings staff thinks highly of. The Vikings also believe in 2023 fourth-round pick Jay Ward, but more depth wouldn’t hurt.

Winston tore his ACL in 2024 and only played three games. The injury will likely keep him around until Day 2, but his status as a captain and his smarts on the field deserve the interest he’ll receive from plenty of teams around the NFL. Winston is an exceptional tackler, and he is still young enough at 21 to have high upside.

Penn State defense.

Sending boundary pressure (CB) to the backside of a 3×1 set. Hold the disguise. And spin the secondary.

INT for safety Kevin Winston, Jr. pic.twitter.com/m7fbmHvdgw

— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) May 22, 2024

Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss

He could go as early as the first round, but Amos ranked No. 93 on Dane Brugler’s latest big board. He has the appropriate size for a cornerback at 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, and though he’s not blazing fast, his awareness would likely keep him in play as a candidate for Flores’ system. His ball production in 2024 was impressive. Amos broke up 10 passes and intercepted three others.

There is a world in which the Vikings trade back and generate an additional Day 2 pick (or two). If Amos falls, and the Vikings believe they can snag a couple of potential starters at multiple positions, he could certainly be in play.

Kyle Williams, WR, Washington State

Wide receivers coach Keenan McCardell and head coach Kevin O’Connell have proven through the years that they have keen eyes for receiver prospects. O’Connell adored Terry McLaurin as a draft prospect. He also thought highly of Darnell Mooney, who has made good on his status as a fifth-round pick. McCardell, meanwhile, needs no introduction. It’s not just Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Jalen Nailor was the best pick of the Vikings’ 2022 draft class.

Williams is an unheralded prospect who does what McCardell most wants his receivers to do: separate. Williams can release off the line of scrimmage and win at all three levels. He also has experience returning kicks.

Kyle Williams – Washington State

Among the 2025 class, Williams is …

WR5 in Rec Yards Market Share (28.1%)
WR5 in Rec TD Market Share (32.9%)
WR5 in Experience-Adjusted Rec Yards/Team Pass Att (+0.05)

One of my favorite dynasty rookie picks at his current ADP pic.twitter.com/kKcxVZKK1b

— Marvin Elequin (@FF_MarvinE) March 31, 2025

T.J. Sanders, DT, South Carolina

Sanders is similar to Turner as a player. They are about the same size, and like Turner, Sanders stayed home for college. Sanders played all four seasons at South Carolina and possesses a level of twitch that Flores and Dixon would appreciate.

But what’s his ceiling? Sanders, according to Brugler, didn’t start playing football until his junior year of high school. His disruption ability as a pass rusher is evident on tape, but can he hold up against the run? And does he have what it takes to grow technically with his rush plan? If Minnesota deems the answer to be yes, it could open the door to seeing Sanders in purple on Day 2.

Jacob Bayer, C, Arkansas State

Would the Vikings take another interior offensive lineman in the late rounds? They added seventh-rounder Michael Jurgens last year. O’Connell mentioned Jurgens this week at the NFL’s annual meeting in Palm Beach, Fla., when discussing Minnesota’s options at left guard. If the Vikings take an interior defensive lineman (or defensive back) at the top, Bayer becomes realistic.

He was a two-star prospect from Grandview, Texas, who played at Lamar, then transferred to Arkansas State, where he played consistently for two seasons. He’s experienced, serviceable and has the necessary mobility.

Jimmy Horn Jr., WR, Colorado

Two Colorado prospects are receiving the lion’s share of the attention: Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders. Rightfully so, too. Horn, though, is a smooth receiver who displayed some burst at the combine. McCardell watched him and many other receivers on the field that day, so he’ll have a clear understanding of Horn’s capabilities.

Horn began his collegiate career at South Florida, then transferred to Boulder to play for Deion Sanders. He caught 95 passes for 1,008 yards over the last two seasons. And unlike Williams, he has returned punts in addition to his experience as a kick returner.

Jimmy Horn Jr. joined @wyche89 and me on The Insiders on @nflnetwork ahead of Friday’s Colorado Showcase, where he plans to run again despite a 4.46 40 at the Combine: “I know I’m way faster than that.” Fun visit with Horn Jr. 👇🏼 pic.twitter.com/PPWrjF8Z4K

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) April 2, 2025

Andrew Mukuba, S, Texas

A lack of size hasn’t scared the Vikings off before, but that’s the question. Is Mukuba, who was measured at 5-foot-11 and 186 pounds, too small to play safety as a pro?

Whatever the case, there are reasons Brugler listed him at No. 97 in his top 100. Mukuba, who transferred to Texas from Clemson, has the instincts and ball skills to be dynamic. He picked off five passes in 2024, anticipates route concepts and has no problem reading the quarterback’s eyes. He’s also not afraid to knife in from depth and make tackles.

Since Flores arrived, Minnesota has focused more on players’ intelligence and reactivity on the field. Drafting Mukuba would further validate those as priorities.

Tai Felton, WR, Maryland

McCardell monitored Felton at Maryland’s pro day. Felton fits the Vikings’ mold: long-levered, sudden and reliable at the catch point. In 2024, he caught 96 passes for 1,124 yards and nine touchdowns.

Still, his draft range varies wildly. Brugler did not have him in his top 100, and ESPN’s Matt Miller did not project him to be drafted at all.

Nailor is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and if he produces like he did last year, another team is likely to give him a sizable contract in free agency. Not only does Felton have traits reminiscent of Nailor as a receiver, but he can also contribute on special teams.

Jordan Polk, DB, Texas State

This is about as deep in the weeds as we can get, but Polk is a former teammate of Vikings defensive tackle Levi Drake Rodriguez at Texas A&M-Commerce. Following two seasons there, Polk transferred to Texas State, where he thrived as a safety.

Polk is slighter than Winston but not as small as Mukuba. He is in the mold of Miami Dolphins defensive back Kader Kohou (another Texas A&M-Commerce product), who went undrafted in 2022 but has stuck around in the NFL. Polk may go undrafted, but the Vikings would likely pursue him as an undrafted free agent.

(Photo of Shemar Turner: Maria Lysaker / Imagn Images)

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