Minnesota sent pick No. 172 to the Rams during the 2025 draft…
Minnesota sent pick No. 172 to the Rams during the 2025 draft and received Nos. 201 and 202, selecting Kobe King and Gavin Bartholomew. Los Angeles used No. 172 on Chris Paul Jr., who did not make the Rams' regular-season roster. Both Vikings selections reached the NFL roster picture, giving Minnesota the stronger early return.
Los Angeles Rams Received
- pick 2025 5th round pick (172nd overall, Chris Paul Jr.)
Minnesota Vikings Received
- pick 2025 6th round pick (201st overall, Kobe King )
- pick 2025 6th round pick (202nd overall, Gavin Bartholomew )
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Minnesota traded the 172nd pick in the 2025 draft to the Los Angeles Rams for consecutive sixth-round selections, Nos. 201 and 202. The Vikings chose linebacker Kobe King and tight end Gavin Bartholomew. The Rams selected linebacker Chris Paul Jr. at No. 172. The deal exchanged one earlier Day 3 opportunity for two later ones, creating a straightforward depth-versus-target trade for both clubs.
Minnesota Vikings Return
King reached the field in regular-season games, first with Minnesota before continuing his career elsewhere, while Bartholomew remained in the Vikings' plans and made the club's initial 53-man roster in 2026. Neither result makes the trade a major victory yet, but Minnesota generated two legitimate roster outcomes from the consecutive selections. That is the basic goal of trading down late: increase the number of chances and convert at least one into useful depth.
Los Angeles Rams Return
Paul did not establish himself with the Rams and was off the Los Angeles roster before producing regular-season value for the club. He later found another opportunity, but that does not add direct Rams value to the trade. Los Angeles paid the extra sixth-round selection to secure a preferred fifth-round target, and the early return did not justify the consolidation because the chosen player failed to stick with the team.
Value in Hindsight
The careers are still young, so the grades should remain moderate. Minnesota has already seen both acquired selections survive meaningful roster stages, including Bartholomew carrying into 2026, while the Rams received no direct regular-season contribution from Paul. That gives the Vikings a real early advantage. Future development could change the size of the gap, but the available results support Minnesota today.
Final Verdict
Minnesota wins, B- to C. The Vikings turned one pick into two prospects who reached the NFL roster picture, while Los Angeles' trade-up target did not provide Rams regular-season value. The outcome favors Minnesota without pretending that either side has produced a proven long-term starter.