Read
Watch
Listen2024 Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft – 3.0 w/Two First-Round Picks
With the offseason in full swing, fans are scrounging for every 2024 Minnesota Vikings mock draft they can find. While the 2024 NFL Draft doesn’t begin until April 25, it’s never too early to start thinking about the future. Some have even been dreaming about the draft since the moment Kirk Cousins went down with his season-ending Achilles injury, realizing the Vikings’ playoff chances just took a massive hit.
Now that Cousins has packed his bags for Atlanta, not to mention trading for an extra first-round pick, all eyes turn to the NFL Draft for Vikings fans. Now general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is in a position to either trade up for a top QB or maintain flexibility to add two impact prospects in the first round.
- Minnesota Vikings’ draft position 2024: 11th and 23rd overall picks in first round
Zygi Wilf has made it clear that reaching the postseason is always the goal, and boasting two picks in the first round places the Vikings in a strong position to continue improving Kevin O’Connell’s roster this offseason.
Related: 2024 Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft Roundup
Minnesota Vikings Draft Picks 2024
Here are the nine draft selections the Vikings currently hold.
- Round 1, 11th overall
- Round 1, 23rd overall
- Round 4, 108th overall
- Round 4, 129th overall (via DET)
- Round 5, 157th overall (via CLE)
- Round 5, 167th overall (via KC)
- Round 6, 177th overall (via CAR)
- Round 7, 230th overall (via ATL, from CLE, ARZ)
- Round 7, 232nd overall (via ARZ)
The Vikings do not have their own third-round pick this season due to the T.J. Hockenson trade, which also gives them Detroit’s fourth-round pick in this year’s draft.
2024 Minnesota Vikings Draft Needs
Here are the 2024 Vikings team needs after the first wave of NFL free agency.
- QB
- DL
- OG
- EDGE
- CB
- WR
- RB
- LB
Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft
I used the Pro Football Focus NFL Draft simulator to assist with organization. This method provides a convenient tool to work through various draft scenarios, including trades. This Vikings mock draft will receive several updates throughout the offseason, leading up to April’s three-day event.
1st Round, 5th Overall*: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
- TRADE: Minnesota Vikings trade 11th and 23rd picks to the Los Angeles Chargers for 5th + 69th picks
First, let’s address the trade. Packaging 11 + 23 = 3,196 points in the Over The Cap NFL Draft trade value chart. The Vikings are exchanging those picks with the new-look Los Angeles Chargers for No. 5 plus the 69th overall pick, which equals 3,039 points, so in that sense, the Vikings lost this trade. Yet, if it means landing their QB of the future, we’ll consider it a massive win for KAM.
If the Vikings do move up, don’t expect the Patriots or Cardinals to want to move down. The Patriots can land their QB of the future, and the Cardinals can get arguably the best player in the draft in Marvin Harrison Jr. This allows the Vikings to work something out with the Chargers, who suddenly have several needs to fill after cutting bait on Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.
As to the J.J. McCarthy pick, he’s a player some scouts are falling in love with, and there are several reports indicating the Vikings could be part of that group. McCarthy didn’t get a chance to show he could lead a team with his arm consistently, but the leadership the 6-foot-2 QB displayed while helping Michigan win the CFP National Championship left a lasting impact.
A bit of a ‘raw’ prospect in the sense that his career could go either way, boom or bust, but the Vikings feel confident in their process, believing they can develop a QB with solid traits into a star. Possessing a mild amount of mobility plus a slightly above-average arm, McCarthy’s pro-style background should lead to a shorter learning curve, and the presence of Kevin O’Connell + Josh McCown will work wonders.
Related: Kwesi Trying to Sell Sam Darnold Propaganda Because What Other Choice Does He Have?
3rd Round, 69th Overall: T’Vondre Sweat, DL, Texas
Continuing the theme of free agency, there’s no doubt that addressing the defensive line is a top need this offseason, so don’t be surprised if the Vikings fill out the trenches with one of their first two picks.
While there’s another Texas Longhorns defensive tackle on NFL Draft radars in the first round (Byron Murphy II), T’Vondre Sweat is the next best thing. Sweat is listed at a monstrous 6-foot-4, 362 pounds, which he uses to create pressure up the middle while also clogging lanes in the running game.
Here’s a quick rep of Sweat during Senior Bowl practices, showing how effective his strength and low center of gravity can be in the trenches.
That type of power definitely translates to the next level. If the Vikings could plug him into the middle of their defense, Brian Flores should have a much easier time creating pressure and patching up the run defense.
Related: Minnesota Vikings Next Franchise QB Odds, Following Kirk Cousins’ Departure
4th Round, 108th overall: Malik Washington, WR, Virginia
There are several different routes the Vikings could take on Day 3. If both the QB and DL needs are filled, it pretty much allows the front office to pick the best player available from here on out. Areas like cornerback could be addressed, but the Vikings already have three young, developing prospects here with Evans, Blackmon, and Booth. This feels like an area that needs to be addressed with another veteran if more help is brought on board.
Offensive guard is an area to watch, but there’s confidence that a deal can be worked out with Dalton Risner, eventually. That leaves the option to continue reinforcing the defensive line/pass rusher depth, or adding another weapon for their new young QB. We chose door No. 2.
At 5-foot-8, Malik Washington is not a player who will ever be expected to become a starter. After all, this is Day 3 of the NFL Draft. However, his skillset is ideal for the Vikings thanks to the presence of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, all that’s needed here is a slot weapon to replace K.J. Osborn. Washington is not a one-for-one replacement. He isn’t a strong run blocker, but the recently signed Trent Sherfield can fill that role on rushing downs and screens.
What makes Washington stand out is his speed and elite ability to change directions on a dime, making him perfect for the slot. The Vikings need someone who can be a speed demon who picks up yards after the catch, and Washington can fill that role with ease.
Malik Washington (#Virginia) among 2024 NFL Draft WRs:
— SCOUTD (@scoutdnfl) March 15, 2024
📌 #2 Overall PFF Grade
📌 #2 PFF Grade vs Zone
📌 #2 PFF Grade vs Man
📌 #5 in Contested-Catch %
📌 #7 in Yards Per Route Run
📌 #1 in Slot Yards
In an elite WR class, guys like this are going under the radar. pic.twitter.com/DAeyBwEbyL
Minnesota Vikings 7-Round Mock Draft 2024
Here is our full seven-round Vikings mock draft.
- 1st round, 5th overall: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
- 3rd round, 69th overall: T’Vondre Sweat, DL, Texas
- 4th round, 108th overall: Malik Washington, WR, Virginia
- 4th round, 129th overall: Mohamed Kamara, EDGE, Colorado State
- 5th round, 157th overall: Zak Zinter, OG, Michigan
- 5th round, 167th overall: Tarheeb Still, CB, Maryland
- 6th round, 177th overall: Erick All, TE, Iowa
- 7th round, 230th overall: Keith Randolph Jr., DL, Illinois
- 7th round, 232nd overall: Isaiah Davis, RB, South Dakota State
Related: Vikings Reportedly Offered Kirk Cousins a Multi-Year Deal with Guarantees in Year-2
More About:Minnesota Vikings