17 Days Until the NFL Draft: A Look at the Vikings’ No. 17 Pick Legacy — From Chad Greenway to Dallas Turner?
By [Your Name], April 12, 2025
With exactly 17 days remaining until the 2025 NFL Draft, all eyes are on the Minnesota Vikings as fans and analysts alike speculate how general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell will shape the future of the franchise. Amid the swirling rumors, big boards, mock drafts, and last-minute prospect visits, one number holds a symbolic significance this year — the 17th overall pick.
Why? Because the Vikings have a notable history with that exact draft slot. It’s a pick that has brought defensive stalwarts and potentially future stars into the purple and gold. Two names now resonate strongly with that number: Chad Greenway and Dallas Turner.
Let’s take a deeper dive into what the 17th pick has meant to the Vikings, what it could mean this year, and how the team’s identity could be shaped once again by a selection made at that very spot.
Chad Greenway: A Legacy Born at No. 17
In the 2006 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings held the 17th overall pick and used it to select a relatively unknown linebacker out of the University of Iowa — Chad Greenway.
At the time, some questioned the selection. Greenway was productive in college, but scouts wondered if he had the speed and versatility to succeed at the next level. Any doubts were quickly erased.
Though his rookie season was lost to an ACL injury, Greenway would go on to become a cornerstone of the Vikings’ defense for over a decade. From 2007 to 2016, he became the heartbeat of Minnesota’s linebacker corps, racking up over 1,100 total tackles, 18 sacks, and 11 interceptions across 156 games. He earned two Pro Bowl nods and was named the team’s Walter Payton Man of the Year not once, but twice (2011 and 2014).
More than just stats, Greenway embodied the Vikings’ identity — tough, intelligent, and reliable. Drafted at 17, he became a fan favorite and a locker room leader, solidifying the idea that great value can be found at this point in the first round.
Fast-Forward to 2024: Dallas Turner at 17
Fast forward to the 2024 NFL Draft — the Vikings, once again holding the 17th pick, selected Dallas Turner, a dynamic edge rusher from Alabama. In a class stacked with quarterback talent and offensive firepower, Turner fell just far enough for Minnesota to pounce, despite aggressive trade-up rumors that the team was eyeing a top quarterback prospect.
Turner, a former five-star recruit and SEC standout, was considered one of the most explosive pass rushers in the 2024 draft class. He posted 10 sacks and 15 tackles for loss in his final college season, helping Alabama reach the College Football Playoff and drawing comparisons to the likes of Brian Burns and Josh Allen.
The Vikings’ decision to bolster their defense with Turner spoke volumes about their strategic shift. After years of focusing heavily on the offensive side of the ball — including the 2023 acquisition of receiver Jordan Addison and quarterback development behind veteran Kirk Cousins — Minnesota prioritized revamping its defensive front under new defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
Now, as he enters his sophomore season, Turner is expected to make a major leap. After a promising rookie campaign with 6 sacks and a growing role in the defensive rotation, the Vikings are counting on him to be a long-term impact player — potentially a Greenway-like leader in the coming years.
What Makes Pick No. 17 So Pivotal in 2025?
So here we are, 17 days away from the 2025 NFL Draft, and once again, Vikings fans are asking a familiar question: Will the team hold onto the 17th pick? Or will they package it — possibly with their other first-round selection — to move up and finally secure a franchise quarterback?
There’s reason to believe that this year could mark the third major moment in team history tied to pick 17.
Reports from insiders suggest that the Vikings are actively exploring trade-up scenarios. Names like J.J. McCarthy, Drake Maye, and even Michael Penix Jr. continue to be linked to Minnesota. With two first-round picks (including their own and one acquired from the Houston Texans), Adofo-Mensah has the draft capital needed to make a splash.
Still, should they stay put at 17, there are several high-ceiling players who could impact the franchise immediately. Edge rushers like Jared Verse, corners like Kool-Aid McKinstry, or offensive tackles such as JC Latham have been projected to fall in that range.
History shows that talent abounds at pick 17 — not just for Minnesota. Across NFL history, stars such as C.J. Mosley, Derwin James, and Mekhi Parsons were all selected in that sweet spot of the draft. The Vikings know this — and fans certainly remember.
Building an Identity Through the Draft
Drafts are more than just talent acquisition; they’re about crafting an identity. When the Vikings drafted Chad Greenway in 2006, they added a stabilizing, blue-collar linebacker that reflected the team’s hard-nosed ethos. With Dallas Turner in 2024, they brought in a twitchy, modern-day edge rusher who could be the face of the defense in an era dominated by speed and hybrid schemes.
Now, the 2025 draft presents another identity-defining moment.
Will Minnesota stay the course and keep developing young defensive talent? Will they go all-in on a quarterback to compete in an increasingly high-powered NFC North, where Jordan Love, Caleb Williams, and Jared Goff loom large? Or will Adofo-Mensah surprise us all and double-down on offense, giving O’Connell another weapon?
With just over two weeks until draft night, speculation will only intensify.
A Fanbase That Knows the Stakes
Vikings fans are some of the most passionate in the NFL — and they’ve waited long enough for a deep playoff run. The last time Minnesota reached the NFC Championship was in 2017. Since then, they’ve undergone major coaching changes, cap restructures, and talent overhauls.
But one thing remains constant: the NFL Draft offers hope.
With pick 17, the Vikings have a track record of landing players who not only make a difference on the field but become synonymous with the franchise itself. Whether it’s Greenway’s leadership and loyalty or Turner’s raw athleticism and sky-high potential, that pick carries weight in the land of 10,000 lakes.
Final Thoughts
As we count down the final 17 days until the 2025 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings find themselves at a crossroads — rich with opportunity, but also under pressure. Holding another 17th pick, the franchise has a chance to make history once again.
Whether they trade it, use it to bolster the defense, or snag an offensive game-changer, one thing is clear: every pick matters, and some numbers — like 17 — seem to matter just a little more in Minnesota.
Will the next Vikings great come from pick 17? We’ll find out on April 29.
