Vikings land NFL’s most lucrative compensatory pick for 2025 draft thanks to old friend image

© Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

For the Minnesota Vikings, old friend Kirk Cousins is the gift keeps on giving.

“Kirko Chainz,” as he’s affectionately known by Vikings fans, left Minnesota for a massive four-year, $180 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons last offseason. And while things haven’t gone according to plan for Cousins in Atlanta, his former team will reap the benefits of his sound business skills.

Thanks largely to Cousins’ current contract, the Vikings have landed the NFL’s most valuable compensatory pick for the 2025 draft. Minnesota will add pick No. 97 overall, which will come in the third round after the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles’ regularly scheduled selection at No. 96.

While the NFL’s announcement on Tuesday fell in line with projections, this is excellent news for GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and the Vikings. They were set to enter April’s draft with a league-low three total selections, so adding a fourth to their board is huge. The fact that it’s a top-100 pick is icing on the cake.

Minnesota Vikings projected 2025 NFL Draft picks

  • Round 1, pick 24
  • Round 3, pick 97
  • Round 5, pick 140
  • Round 5,  pick 161

— Source: NFL Tankathon

The Vikings have been among the most aggressive teams during the NFL’s legal tampering period for free agents this week, reportedly committing over $280 million to expected contracts. They’re reportedly signing cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (3 years, $66M max value), defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (3 years, $60M max value) and right guard Will Fries (5 years, 88M max value) to top-market contracts.

While fans will applaud the team’s attempts to restock the roster, hitting on this year’s draft class is arguably more important than ever. Minnesota has gotten little to no returns on Adofo-Mensah’s three draft classes outside of wide receivers Jordan Addison and Jalen Nailor, and kicker Will Reichard. That list should grow in 2025 with quarterback J.J. McCarthy and EDGE Dallas Turner poised for more prominent roles, but continuing to add and develop young talent will be paramount if the Vikings are going to keep their current Super Bowl window open.

With a tip of the cap to Cousins, Minnesota added a valuable asset to help make that happen this April.

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Ryan OLeary

Ryan O’Leary has spent his entire professional career in sports multimedia, working as journalist, editor, podcaster, and in live events as a content manager and show emcee. His career highlights include working as a podcast host and audio editor for USA TODAY Sports Media Group, where he led a series of NFL podcasts for the company’s top-performing NFL sites. A born and raised New Englander, Ryan’s career kicked-off in newspapers after graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in journalism. He developed an affinity for small-town youth, high school and college sports, while also realizing his childhood dream of covering the Patriots in multiple AFC Championship Games. Ryan enjoys kicking it with family and friends, beating his dad and brother in chess, and arguing with anyone crazy enough to insist that Tom Brady isn’t the GOAT.