With just 10 days until the 2025 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings find themselves at a crossroads. Holding only four picks—No. 24 (first round), No. 97 (third), No. 139 (fifth), and No. 187 (sixth)—General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah faces pressure to maximize value. On the latest episode of The Real Forno Show, host Tyler Forness, alongside producer Dave Stefano, dives into the swirling trade rumors and unveils his highly anticipated Top 100 Big Board, offering a unique perspective on how the Vikings can address critical roster needs, particularly in the secondary.

“We’re gonna talk about my big board, just talk about some of the things,” Forness said. “Dave will probably have some questions on why I have certain players where, because look, I’m gonna be real, my big board’s usually quite a bit different from what the consensus is.”

The Vikings’ limited draft capital makes trading down from No. 24 a likely strategy, with mock drafts projecting deals to acquire mid-round picks. Forness and Stefano explore five trade scenarios involving the Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, and New England Patriots, analyzing the value and feasibility of each move.

Trade Scenarios: Maximizing Value in a Thin Draft Class

The Vikings’ draft strategy hinges on flexibility, and trading down could provide the ammunition to address multiple needs, including safety (after losing Camryn Bynum) and cornerback. Forness breaks down each trade scenario using conventional (Jimmy Johnson, Rich Hill) and analytical trade charts, offering fans a glimpse into the complex decision-making process.

Mock Trades: What Could the Vikings Gain?

Forness presents five mock trade scenarios, crafted using a trade calculator by Joseph Haner, to illustrate potential deals with the Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, and New England Patriots. Each trade aims to maximize value while addressing the Vikings’ need for more picks. Here’s a closer look at the proposed deals:

Buffalo Bills Trade

In this scenario, the Vikings trade picks No. 24 and 97 for Buffalo’s Nos. 62 and 132. Forness explains, “They take 97 and basically turn it into 62, and then they also get 132, which is a fourth-round pick, so they improve their third-round pick to a late second and get a fourth-round pick in return.” The deal nets the Vikings significant value, aligning with their history of creative trades, like the 2022 swap with the Detroit Lions that turned picks 12 and 46 into 32, 34, and 66.

Kansas City Chiefs Trade

The Chiefs, known for aggressive draft moves, could trade picks No. 31 and 66 for Minnesota’s No. 24. Forness highlights the value: “You’re getting heavy value here, which the conventional charts is like a late third-round pick.” He references a past Chiefs trade, noting, “They trade up for Trent McDuffie, trade up for Xavier Worthy. Usually when they trade up, they end up being right. Hell, they traded up for Patrick Mahomes.” The Chiefs’ history suggests they’d be a plausible partner if targeting a specific player.

Cleveland Browns Trade

Here, the Vikings trade picks No. 24 and 187 for Cleveland’s Nos. 33, 94, and 104. Forness likes the flexibility this offers: “You’re getting two picks in the area of 97. You’d have 94, 97, and 104. You could package two of those up and go up to like pick 70 or 80.” This deal nets one additional pick while upgrading a mid-sixth-rounder to a high fourth, a move Forness calls “a pretty good deal.”

New York Giants Trade

The Giants could send picks No. 34, 65, and 105 to Minnesota for Nos. 24 and 97. Forness notes, “It’s another one of those three-for-two situations, and this is where Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has been very creative, very creative, and being willing to part with some of your picks to improve them.” The trade involves an eight-spot drop from 97 to 105 but gains a top-third-round pick, offering solid value in a draft class where teams may hesitate to overpay.

New England Patriots Trade

The final scenario sees the Vikings trading Nos. 24 and 97 for New England’s Nos. 38, 69, and 77. Forness explains, “You would pick three times before 77, but then you wouldn’t pick again until 139. Not ideal to have that kind of gap, but you know what? It’s okay.” He prefers the Rich Hill trade chart, which values this deal as equivalent to an early fifth-round pick, fair for a Patriots team potentially targeting an offensive lineman or receiver rather than a quarterback.

Forness emphasizes the importance of context, recommending fans check his detailed trade analysis on Arif Hasan’s Wide Left Substack: “I highly recommend that everybody go read my piece at Wide Left. Just Google Arif Hasan NFL draft Wide Left. You’ll find it.” Stefano praises the realism of these trades, saying, “I thought they were pretty realistic. I had no issue with them. We came out ahead unlike Kwesi’s first draft, I think Kwesi’s learned a lot and I think these trades benefit the Vikings.”Buffalo Bills Trade: Swapping Picks for Depth

In a proposed trade with the Bills, the Vikings would send picks No. 24 and No. 97 to receive No. 62 and No. 132. This move upgrades their third-round pick to a late second while adding a fourth-round selection.

“They take 97 and basically turn it into 62, and then they also get 132,” Forness explained. “They’re getting a lot of value here, but that’s the kind of thing that the Vikings are gonna be looking to do.”

This trade aligns with Adofo-Mensah’s history of creative deals, like the 2022 trade with the Lions, where the Vikings moved from No. 12 to No. 32, gaining picks No. 34 and No. 66.

Tyler’s Top 100 Big Board: Shocking Rankings and Bold Takes

Forness’s Top 100 Big Board, unveiled in this episode, is a testament to his independent scouting philosophy. Unlike consensus boards, his rankings prioritize long-term potential and contextual evaluation, leading to surprises like Shemar Stewart at No. 3 and Mason Graham at No. 19.

“This is how good I think these players are,” Forness said. “The scouting process of the NFL Draft is an art. There is no concrete answer… I’m okay with that because it’s my opinion.”

Travis Hunter Leads the Pack

Colorado’s Travis Hunter, a rare cornerback/wide receiver hybrid, tops Forness’s board at No. 1. His versatility and elite playmaking make him a generational talent.

“Travis Hunter, the cornerback-wide receiver combo out of Colorado, [is a] special, special, special, special player,” Forness enthused. “If Dion Sanders wasn’t his head coach, he’d be getting a lot more love.”

Shemar Stewart: A Misunderstood Edge Rusher

Forness’s boldest take is ranking Texas A&M edge rusher Shemar Stewart third overall, far above the A to Z Sports consensus (No. 14). He argues Stewart’s low college production stems from a contain-heavy role, not a lack of talent.

“I think he’s one of the best players in this class,” Forness said. “They didn’t ask him to pin his ears back and rush the passer… You get him in the NFL when he does, he is really, really good.”

Mason Graham: Good, Not Great

Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham, a consensus top-five prospect, sits at No. 19 on Forness’s board due to concerns about his ability against double teams and shorter arm length.

“I see a good player… worthy of a mid-first-round pick,” Forness explained. “I don’t see a game-breaker… He struggles against double teams. His short arms can be a real hindrance.”

Small-School Stars: Quincy Riley and Cobee Bryant

Forness is notably high on smaller cornerbacks like Louisville’s Quincy Riley (No. 28, vs. consensus ~100) and Kansas’s Cobee Bryant (No. 50). Their ball skills and athleticism make them potential steals.

“Quincy Riley… This is a good football player, and he should be worthy of thinking about at the end of the first round,” Forness asserted. “I was right on his teammate Jarvis Brownlee Jr. last year. I’m gonna be right on Quincy Riley this year.”

Other Notable Rankings

• Jihaad Campbell (No. 7, Alabama LB): A do-it-all linebacker Forness loves for his versatility.
• Kenneth Grant (No. 14, Michigan DT): A higher-ranked defensive tackle than Graham, valued for his run-stopping ability.
• TreVeyon Henderson (No. 36, Ohio State RB): A dynamic running back with a high floor.
• Trey Amos (No. 35, Ole Miss CB): A solid second-round prospect with speed but concerns about deep coverage.

Vikings’ Draft Strategy: Balancing Risk and Reward

Forness estimates a 65% chance the Vikings trade down, 30% chance they stay at No. 24, and 5% chance they trade up, likely for a game-changer like Stewart or Campbell.

“I put trading up at like 5%. There’s gonna be a guy or two that they just think are just too good to pass on,” Forness said. “For me, it’s Shamar Stewart and Jihaad Campbell… I think they can be real difference-makers.”

The Vikings’ history of trading—moving in three of four first-round picks under Adofo-Mensah—suggests activity is likely. Forness notes that trade discussions often stem from the NFL Combine and pro days, with draft-day talks finalizing deals.

“You don’t have brand-new conversations on draft day,” he said. “A lot of these trades derive from… March.”Listen:

Fan Engagement and Community Building

The episode thrives on fan interaction, with Forness and Stefano addressing live chat questions about players like Will Johnson (No. 21, concerns about long speed), Kenneth Grant (No. 14, a priority at No. 24), and Grey Zabel (No. 57, deemed too risky per Tyler). Fans also inquire about the Vikings’ interior defensive line and potential tight end targets like Elijah Arroyo.

“Don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, ring the bell,” Forness urged. “We’re gonna have a lot of stuff over the next week and a half… You’re not gonna wanna miss any of it.”

The show’s community-driven approach, part of the Fans First Sports Network, fosters a passionate Vikings fanbase eager for draft content.

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Why This Episode Matters for Vikings Fans

The Real Forno Show offers a refreshing blend of analytical depth and fan-friendly banter, making it essential viewing for Vikings supporters. Forness’s willingness to diverge from consensus—evident in his bold rankings and trade breakdowns—provides a fresh perspective on a draft class lacking superstar talent but rich in “meat and potatoes” starters.

“This class has been a fascinating one to study,” Forness wrote in his accompanying notes. “It’s a meat and potatoes type draft, especially in the trenches.”

As the Vikings aim to bolster their secondary and defensive line, Forness’s insights into players like Riley, Stewart, and Grant could foreshadow draft-day surprises. His trade scenarios highlight Adofo-Mensah’s likely approach: prioritize flexibility, accumulate picks, and target high-upside players.

For fans, the episode is a call to action. “Hit that subscribe button. Help us out,” Forness said, noting their goal of reaching 5,700 subscribers. With live coverage planned for all three draft days, The Real Forno Show is poised to guide Vikings Nation through a pivotal offseason.

Whether you’re a draft nerd or a casual SKOL chanter, this episode delivers the knowledge and excitement to fuel your fandom. As Forness and Stefano remind us, the Vikings’ draft decisions could shape the franchise’s future—don’t miss out on the journey!

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Tyler Forness @TheRealForno of Vikings 1st & SKOL @Vikings1stSKOL and A to Z Sports @AtoZSportsNFL, with Dave Stefano @Luft_Krigare producing this Vikings 1st & SKOL production, the @RealFornoShow. Podcasts partnered with Fans First Sports Network @FansFirstSN and its NFL feed @FFSN_NFL.