The Top Vikings Defensive Targets To Watch At the Senior Bowl
Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
The Reese’s Senior Bowl takes place on Saturday, one of many major events for the 2025 offseason. But it’s more than a scouting opportunity. For those not playing in the Super Bowl, it’s another slap of reality and a chance for self-reflection as teams look to get that “better luck next year” taste out of their mouths.
Checking in on the Minnesota Vikings, their biggest holes are with the interior offensive and defensive lines, secondary, and at running back. Luckily for the Vikings, this draft class matches their exact needs, supposedly being deep at interior defensive line, running back, cornerback, and safety. Unfortunately for Minnesota, they’ll only have three draft picks (a first and two fifth-round picks), at least until their compensatory picks are finalized, which should net them an additional third-rounder.
With cap space and several quality free-agent interior offensive linemen available, free agency would be the ideal strategy to upgrade that positional group. Running backs should be on the table in the draft, but given their lack of picks, spending an early pick on a back is a luxury they might not be able to afford.
With the Vikings lacking draft capital, it seems as if a trade down from Pick 24 is both imminent and necessary. For reference, a trade-down from pick 24 should net a package that includes something like a second, third, and two sixth-round picks.
An example of the kind of trade package the Vikings could expect to get if they trade down from 1.24 pic.twitter.com/EwNIjRF1Ig
— Thor Nystrom (@thorku) January 22, 2025
With the offensive needs better suited for other areas than early in the draft, let’s examine three defensive players in the Senior Bowl who are projected in the late-first/early-second round range Minnesota’s first pick should ultimately land.
Omarr Norman-Lott, Defensive Tackle, Tennessee
A natural three-technique pass rush defensive tackle, Omarr Norman-Lott is listed at 6-foot-3, 315 pounds. The senior has exceptional first-step quickness to penetrate gaps while also having the size for two-gap concepts and the lateral agility to disrupt running lanes and make plays down the line of scrimmage.
His scheme versatility is tantalizing as a three-down tackle who possesses powerful anchor strength and a high motor in pursuit of ball carriers. His Pass Rush Win Rate was 18.8%, a rate which would have him tied as best amongst interior defensive linemen, but injuries have been his biggest concern. If his medical history helps him fall down the draft, that could be to the Vikings’ benefit.
His profile suggests that he can be the interior pass-rushing disruptor the Vikings need without sacrificing their efficiency against the run. He’s a player that would (and could still) go much higher than the late first round if teams were confident with his medicals.
Trey Amos, Cornerback, Ole Miss
The soon-to-be 23-year-old is a physical corner with good size at 6-foot-1, 190 pounds who uses his length effectively in press-man coverage on the outside. His football IQ is a strength, enabling him to be a quick processor on receiver screens, and he attacks with urgency.
Despite his ideal press-man traits, he can comfortably fit in zone coverage schemes, as his spatial awareness and understanding of routes help him anticipate plays and challenge throwing windows to generate turnovers. Quarterbacks had a 51.6 completion percentage and 54.5 passing ratings while throwing toward Amos, which are the kind of numbers teams take notice of.
Amos’ active hands could leave him prone to drawing penalties, so Brian Flores and his staff would need to refine his technique with hand placement and discipline. Still, his aggressive nature is his greatest asset, and with proper coaching, Amos could become a route-disruptor with elite ball-hawking tendencies.
Walter Nolen, Defensive Tackle, Ole Miss
Walter Nolen is 6-foot-3, 305 pounds with an NFL-ready frame, which is incredibly strong for a 21-year-old. His natural raw strength and explosiveness allow him to shed blocks consistently and absorb double teams while maintaining gap discipline.
Nolen is a more natural run-stuffer than Norman-Lott, finishing second in the nation for interior linemen in PFF Run Defense Grade (91.6). That’s not to say Nolen can’t rush the passer, though. His excellent body control for his size helped him produce 35 pressures, which was tied for eighth amongst interior linemen, producing 6.0 sacks.
His biggest area for improvement involves the use of his hands to develop better release and gain leverage, but Nolen has impressive playmaking instincts and ability. His 10.9% Pass Rush Win Rate is a good start for someone who hasn’t fully refined his pass-rush moves, and he has the versatility to play all along the line, which would fit what Flores seeks.
Kwesi has his most challenging offseason ahead of him as he looks to improve a very good team into a true contender. Free agency is the first domino to add talent, and the Vikings would be wise to leverage that phase to solidify the offensive line and invest in the secondary. But the draft is going to be his best shot at landing an impact defensive playmaker, and you can bet that Kwesi will have all eyes on that side of the ball, especially with the wealth of talent available.
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