The Minnesota Vikings have been highly active over the past two weeks. Since the NFL free agency negotiating window opened last Monday, the team’s front office and coaching staff have worked in tandem to bolster nearly every position group on the roster.
However, there’s still more work ahead — and plenty of opportunities to get it done. The most significant is the upcoming NFL Draft, set to kick off on April 24, exactly one month from this past Monday. While the Vikings have time to finalize their draft strategy, reports suggest they already have their eyes on a particular prospect for their first-round selection.
Minnesota Vikings targeting Oregon defensive tackle in 2025 NFL Draft
While the Minnesota Vikings remain open to exploring other positions and prospects in the first round, their preference is becoming clearer. According to Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune, if things go according to plan for Minnesota on night one of the NFL Draft, they’ll be turning in a card with the name of Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon when they’re on the clock.
Goessling discussed the Vikings’ strong interest in Harmon during Friday’s Access Vikings podcast alongside Emily Leiker and Andrew Krammer. He mentioned several times that the team is high on the 6’4”, 313-pound defensive lineman from Detroit, Michigan. Goessling added that there’s plenty of buzz behind the scenes, indicating Harmon is “high on their priority list.”
How good is Derrick Harmon?
Derrick Harmon played just one season at Oregon, appearing in all 14 games for the Ducks. During his lone campaign in Eugene, he racked up 45 tackles (11 for loss), 5 sacks, 4 passes defended, and 2 forced fumbles. Before transferring to Oregon, Harmon spent three productive seasons with Michigan State, now one of Oregon’s new Big Ten rivals.
ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper currently projects Harmon to be selected 21st overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Throughout his college career, Harmon tallied 116 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles. Pro Football Focus was especially high on his 2024 season, awarding him an 83.9 defensive grade, ranking him 12th among all interior defensive linemen in the country. Harmon also displayed a balanced skill set, earning an 80.5 grade against the run and an 86.3 grade as a pass rusher, according to PFF.
Derrick Harmon played just one season at Oregon, appearing in all 14 games for the Ducks. In that lone campaign, he recorded 45 tackles (11 for loss), 5 sacks, 4 pass breakups, and forced 2 fumbles. Before transferring to Oregon, Harmon spent three years at Michigan State—now a Big Ten rival—where he also enjoyed a successful run.
Currently, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper has Harmon projected to go 21st overall to the Pittsburgh Steelers in his latest mock draft.
Across his college career, Harmon totaled 116 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles. Pro Football Focus was particularly impressed with his 2024 performance, awarding him an 83.9 overall defensive grade, which ranked 12th among interior defensive linemen nationwide. PFF also praised his versatility, giving him an 80.5 grade against the run and an 86.3 grade as a pass rusher.
It’s not just about Derrick Harmon, though he’s clearly a prospect the Vikings are higher on than most at his position. It’s also about the bigger picture—specifically, the future of their defensive tackle group as a whole. Sure, Minnesota made a splash early in free agency by signing two of the top defensive tackles available in Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. But both veterans are in their 30s and signed to shorter-term deals, which leaves the long-term outlook at the position very much in focus.
MN Vikings have a two-pronged plan at key defensive positions
It’s clear the Minnesota Vikings still view the interior defensive line as a top priority heading into the NFL Draft, particularly with their first-round selection. Their approach mirrors what they did last offseason at EDGE rusher—signing Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard in free agency, then doubling down by drafting Dallas Turner in the first round.
Ben Goessling weighed in on the situation during the Access Vikings podcast, saying, “I wouldn’t be surprised if they add another defensive tackle. There’s a lot of depth and variety in this group, but you’ve got [both new DTs in their 20s and coming off injuries]. So, you’re not necessarily looking at guys who are long-term, five-year solutions. They’ll have to keep replenishing this defensive line.”
He continued, “That’s just the nature of the business. Players want to get paid, and [the Vikings] tend to favor veterans. But the downside is that sometimes you’re getting guys toward the tail end of their careers or ones you’re not extending beyond their current deal. There are definitely still some questions about this group.”
Andrew Krammer added, “So… Derrick Harmon, you’re a Minnesota Viking?”
Goessling replied, “Well, I think that’s a strong possibility, yes.”
We’ll find out soon enough if Derrick Harmon becomes a Viking on draft night, but based on what was discussed on Access Vikings, we have a clearer picture of Minnesota’s draft strategy—and who’s high on their board—heading into April 24.
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