The air is electric as the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, and Sal Spice, host of Skoldiers & Spice, captures the anticipation perfectly. “In less than 48 hours, I will be living it up at the Vikings Draft party, but first we gotta talk about what might go down,” Sal exclaims, setting the stage for a lively discussion. Joined by her “security blankets,” Dustin Baker and Raun Sawh, Sal dives into the Vikings’ draft strategy with the enthusiasm of a fan who’s lived through five pre-draft Tuesdays with this crew.

The episode, recorded on April 22, 2025, is a special pre-draft edition, and the excitement is palpable. With the Vikings holding just four draft picks—thanks to last year’s trade for edge rusher Dallas Turner—the stakes are high. “I’m really excited because we can solve the mystery,” Baker says, noting the unpredictability of this year’s draft. Unlike past years, where needs were glaring, General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s aggressive free agency moves have left the roster without obvious holes. This flexibility makes the Vikings’ draft direction a puzzle, with possibilities ranging from defensive tackles to offensive linemen or even a surprise trade.

Draft Strategy and Trade Possibilities: Navigating a Thin Draft Class

With only four picks, including the 24th overall in the first round, the Vikings face a unique challenge. Raun Sawh highlights the difficulty of trading down in a draft that lacks a clear hierarchy of talent. “From 15 to 45, it’s a coin flip almost on those players talent-wise,” Sawh explains, suggesting teams in the 30s may not offer enough compensation to move up. This reality complicates Adofo-Mensah’s reputation as a “wheel and deal” GM who loves to maneuver.

Dustin Baker, however, remains optimistic about trade possibilities, particularly with the 24th pick. He points to the rising draft stock of quarterback Jaxson Dart, who’s now firmly in first-round conversations. “The Vikings’ 24th pick will be prime territory for some kind of trade because some team’s gonna want to get Jaxson Dart,” Baker predicts. He even speculates about a potential deal with the Cleveland Browns, where Adofo-Mensah’s former colleague Andrew Berry might trade the 33rd pick and additional assets to secure a quarterback like Dart. “If the Browns pick Travis Hunter at 33, they can’t go into a season with Flacco and Pickett,” Baker adds, outlining a plausible trade scenario.

The discussion also touches on the number of quarterbacks expected in the first round. Baker boldly predicts three, including Dart and Shedeur Sanders, whose draft stock has become a “great mystery” after once being a top-five lock. Sawh, meanwhile, emphasizes the depth in the trenches, suggesting the Vikings could target a defensive tackle like Walter Nolen or Derek Harmon to plan for the future.

Quarterback Controversy: The QB2 Debate Heats Up

No Vikings off-season is complete without a quarterback controversy, and the QB2 position behind starter J.J. McCarthy is no exception. “It’s not an off-season episode without QB2 controversy,” Sal quips, noting the chat’s obsession with the topic. With Joe Flacco signed elsewhere, fans are anxious about who will back up McCarthy, a top-10 pick from last year’s draft.

Raun Sawh takes a pragmatic stance, dismissing the clamor for a veteran backup. “If anything were to happen to J.J., tank for next year. You’re not winning a playoff game with any of the available quarterbacks anyway,” he says. He even entertains the idea of Aaron Rodgers as a backup, but only if he’s willing to play second fiddle. “If Rodgers wants to come in and be a backup, I’m all for it,” Sawh adds, though he doubts Rodgers would accept such a role.

Baker suggests a more likely scenario: a handshake deal with Carson Wentz. “Nobody else needs a QB2 right now, so it’s not gonna be a sprint to the wire to call Carson Wentz,” he says, predicting the Vikings could sign Wentz post-draft to avoid losing a compensatory pick. Other names like Tyler Huntley and undrafted free agents are floated, but the consensus is clear: if McCarthy goes down, the season’s hopes rest on draft positioning, not a backup savior.

Fan and Expert Opinions: A Divide in Draft Priorities

One of the episode’s most intriguing segments explores the stark divide between fan expectations and expert mock drafts. Baker, a self-proclaimed “Vikings nerd,” notes that national pundits consistently project safeties like Nick Emmanwori or Malachi Starks to the Vikings at 24. “All of those guys are saying Nick Emmanwori or Malachi Starks,” Baker says, referencing mock draft gurus who’ve nailed Vikings picks in the past. Yet, fans, including Baker and Sawh, see defensive tackle as a more pressing need.

“Why do we need five safeties for real?” Baker asks, pointing to the existing depth with Harrison Smith, Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson, and Jay Ward. Sawh agrees, citing the Vikings’ history of finding safeties in later rounds, like Cam Bynum, and their trust in Jackson’s potential. “They gave Theo Jackson money that was warranted of a starter-level contract,” Sawh notes, questioning the need for a first-round safety.

Fans also clamor for offensive line help, particularly at guard to rotate with Blake Brandel. The name on everyone’s lips is NDSU’s Gray Zabel, a fan favorite after a strong Senior Bowl performance. However, Baker doubts Zabel will last to 24, predicting he’ll go to the Seahawks in the top 20. “I think he goes to the Seahawks,” Baker says, suggesting the Vikings might target later-round guards like Dylan Fairchild or Charles Grant instead.

Bryant McKinnie’s Draft Story: A Whirlwind of Chaos and Charm

The episode’s highlight is former Vikings offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie, who joins to share his unforgettable 2002 draft experience. Drafted seventh overall by Minnesota, McKinnie’s story is a rollercoaster of late-night escapades and last-minute scrambles. “Picture Sicily,” he begins, channeling Golden Girls before recounting a night out with Julius Peppers in New York the eve before the draft.

“We went out, it was like three clubs later, get back at like five or six in the morning,” McKinnie recalls, admitting he and Peppers were hungover when security banged on his hotel door. “Somebody got in my room, and they see me sprawled across the bed. I heard him say, ‘Oh my gosh,’” he laughs. Peppers, the second overall pick, arrived even later, strolling in just 15 minutes before the draft began.

McKinnie’s journey to Minnesota was equally chaotic. After a whirlwind of media interviews, he was whisked to the airport in a limo, still in his draft suit, and flown coach on a Northwest Airlines flight. “At six-eight, they didn’t even get me the exit row,” he says, chuckling at the memory of cramming into a tiny seat while hungover. The experience, though hectic, marked the start of a successful NFL career, including a Super Bowl run with the Baltimore Ravens.

Vikings Offseason Moves: Building in the Trenches

McKinnie, an offensive lineman at heart, praises the Vikings’ off-season focus on the trenches. The team added a new center and guard from Indianapolis, along with two All-Pro-caliber defensive tackles. “Those two guys are already familiar with each other, so it doesn’t take a whole lot of everybody getting familiar,” McKinnie says, approving of the cohesive additions. He emphasizes the importance of the trenches, noting, “Everything starts up front.”

The episode also updates fans on running back Aaron Jones’ recovery from an ACL tear. “It’s going fantastic,” Baker reports, citing head coach Kevin O’Connell. With an expected return by late August, Jones could bolster the backfield alongside Jordan Mason, who earned his spot with strong pass-blocking skills.

Fan Questions and Fun Stories: Nostalgia and Laughter

The chat is buzzing, and Sal fields questions for McKinnie, from his favorite Scranton, Pennsylvania, cheesesteaks at Goodfellas to the toughest opponent he faced. “KGB was very slippery, had good hands, and was kind of fast,” McKinnie says of Green Bay’s Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, who challenged him early in his career. Fans also ask about teammates like Dante Culpepper and Jim Kleinsasser, sparking memories of McKinnie’s social butterfly days in Minnesota.

One hilarious anecdote involves a playoff game against Green Bay, where McKinnie and teammates, including Randy Moss, decided to wear their afros out. “Moss was like, ‘Oh, we’re all wearing the hair out,’” McKinnie recalls, noting the last-minute helmet adjustments required for the bold look. The camaraderie and spontaneity of those moments shine through, endearing McKinnie to fans.

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Mental Health Awareness and Final Thoughts

McKinnie shares exciting news about his upcoming mental health awareness event on May 22 in South Florida, featuring a performance by the Players’ Choir. “They’re gonna come down to perform two songs for me,” he says, highlighting his commitment to giving back. Sal, who plans to focus on mental health awareness in May, promises to have McKinnie back to promote the event and potentially feature former teammate Troy Williamson, whose candid story left a lasting impact.

As the episode wraps, Baker and Sawh offer final draft predictions. Baker bets on a trade-back to the 30-32 range for defensive tackle Walter Nolen, while Sawh advocates for staying at 24 or trading future picks to maximize the current roster. “If you’re looking to maximize the window we have now, why not go out and get ‘em?” Sawh asks.

Sal closes with a call to action for fans attending the Vikings Draft party. “If you see me there, please come and say hi,” she urges, promising fan interviews and a lively atmosphere. With draft specials and live shows planned on the Vikings 1st & SKOL Network, the stage is set for an unforgettable draft week.

Join Us and Fan!
Guest Dustin Baker @DustBaker of VikesNow, Raun Sawh @TCBrowner651, and former Vikings star, Bryant McKinnie @BryantMckinnie join Sal Spice @SalSpice on this episode of “Skoldiers & Spice” with Dave Stefano @Luft_Krigare producing this Vikings 1st & SKOL @Vikings1stSKOL show. We’re partnered with Fans First Sports Network @FansFirstSN and their NFL feed @FFSN_NFL. #SKOL #Vikings!