One Player the Vikings Must Pray the Bears, Lions, or Packers Don’t Draft

Three Prospects Who Could Haunt Minnesota for Years to Come

As the 2025 NFL Draft inches closer, the Minnesota Vikings are preparing to make a pivotal selection at No. 24. But while Vikings fans are laser-focused on their own war room, it’s just as important to keep an eye on the enemy.

The NFC North is brimming with potential, and if the division rivals make the right picks, Minnesota could be staring down a tougher road to the playoffs. There are a few names the Vikings should be praying don’t land within the division—and each one has the potential to shift the power dynamic for years.

Chicago Bears: Ashton Jeanty Could Supercharge the Windy City

If the Bears get their hands on Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, it might be game over.

The 2024 Heisman runner-up, Jeanty isn’t just another backfield threat—he’s electric. A do-it-all weapon who can burst between the tackles, break into the open field, and line up as a receiver if needed. He brings the kind of explosiveness that defensive coordinators lose sleep over.

Pairing him with D’Andre Swift under Ben Johnson’s creative play-calling would give rookie quarterback Caleb Williams a dangerous safety valve. That’s a scary combo for any defense, especially one that’s still searching for its identity like the Vikings.

Minnesota fans should hope the Raiders scoop Jeanty early. Because if he slips to Chicago at No. 10, the Bears’ backfield could instantly become the most dangerous in the NFC North.

Green Bay Packers: Tetairoa McMillan Is a Future No. 1 WR

The Packers haven’t taken a wide receiver in the first round since 2002. If they break that streak with Tetairoa McMillan, it could be the start of a long-term nightmare for Minnesota.

McMillan has it all—size, elite body control, and a knack for making tough catches look routine. With 2,700 yards and 18 touchdowns over his last 25 games at Arizona, he’s already proven himself as a reliable game-changer.

There’s a real chance he slips to the Packers at No. 23, thanks to the rise of other wideouts in the draft class. If that happens, Green Bay gets its WR1, and Jordan Love gets a true alpha target to build around. That’s bad news for the Vikings, who already struggle to defend downfield.

“McMillan feels like a prospect that teams might regret overthinking,” analysts have noted—and if Gutekunst is bold enough to pull the trigger, the Vikings’ secondary could be facing an uphill battle for years.