Welcome to SKOL Search 2025
A Tradition of Finding Future Vikings
SKOL Search is back for its fifth year, continuing the mission to uncover NFL Draft prospects tailored for the Minnesota Vikings. This guide promises to be the most comprehensive yet, offering insights into how these potential draftees could fit into the team’s vision. With General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah leading his fourth draft, there’s a clearer understanding of his preferences in player selection.
The Draft Landscape for the Vikings
Heading into the offseason, the Vikings find themselves with just three official selections, with a likely compensatory pick coming in the third round. Despite limited resources, making the most of these selections is crucial to addressing team needs and reinforcing their roster.
Spotlight on Mason Graham
Athletic Profile and Background
- College: Arizona
- Height: 6’3”
- Weight: 315 lbs
- Class: Third-Year Junior
- Recruiting Info: 4-star recruit in the 2022 class (per 247 Sports)
- Stats:
- 213 receptions
- 3,423 yards (16.1 yards per catch)
- 26 touchdowns
- 1 rush for 3 yards
- 4-of-5 passing, 43 yards, 1 touchdown
Explosive Talent with Room for Growth
Mason Graham’s film speaks volumes about his explosive athletic ability. A natural three-technique defensive tackle, Graham shines with his quick first step, disrupting offensive lines with ease. His wrestling background is evident in his hand placement and leverage, making him a nightmare for less agile offensive linemen.
- Quickness: Graham’s burst off the line is exceptional, allowing him to penetrate gaps quickly.
- Hand Usage: His wrestling pedigree has instilled precision in hand placement, maximizing his power and control in one-on-one matchups.
- Pass Rush Plan: Graham demonstrates a calculated approach, with a devastating swim move that keeps blockers off balance.
Challenges in Graham’s Game
While Graham has an impressive skill set, there are areas where he can improve:
- Length: His relatively short arms can make disengaging from blocks more challenging, particularly against elite offensive linemen.
- Flexibility: Graham’s lower-body stiffness affects his ability to bend the arc effectively during pass rushes and execute looping stunts.
Grading Graham’s Potential
| Trait | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quickness/Penetration | 18.4/20 |
| Power | 8.3/10 |
| Pass Rush Moves | 8.7/10 |
| Counters | 8.2/10 |
| Leverage | 8.5/10 |
| Tackling | 8.6/10 |
| Size/Length | 8.1/10 |
| Run Defense | 8.8/10 |
| Awareness | 8.7/10 |
| Overall Grade | 86.3 (First-Round Grade) |
A Prospect with First-Round Potential
Graham’s talent makes him a top-tier prospect with a strong chance of being a first-round selection. His pass-rushing ability, coupled with solid run defense, offers three-down value at the NFL level. With a pressure rate exceeding 10% (10.26%), Graham is a disruptive force in the passing game.
His size, at 315 pounds, positions him well for the three-technique role, particularly given the trend toward lighter players at this position in recent drafts.
The Fit with the Vikings
While Graham is unlikely to be available when the Vikings make their first pick, it’s worth considering how he would fit into defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ scheme. Flores’ defense relies heavily on stunts and gap manipulation—areas where Graham’s lack of flexibility might limit his effectiveness.
Despite this, Graham’s raw talent and upside might tempt the Vikings if he falls to their selection. However, his overall draft stock suggests he’s more likely to be chosen within the top 10 picks.
Looking Ahead
Mason Graham represents the kind of player every team covets—explosive, disciplined, and disruptive. For the Vikings, their limited draft capital means each pick must be carefully considered. Whether or not Graham dons purple and gold, his journey to the NFL will be one to watch closely as he carves out his path to stardom.
