Both Minnesota Vikings’ 1st Round Draft Picks Could Win Rookie of the Year

Good or bad, the buzz around the newest additions to the Minnesota Vikings’ roster is real. For example, Mel Kiper isn’t the biggest fan of their 2024 NFL Draft class. Meanwhile, sportsbooks love it, especially the Vikings’ first two picks.

Dallas Turner, the #17 pick, is currently the frontrunner to win defensive rookie of the year award. Meanwhile, JJ McCarthy, the #10 overall pick, has the fourth best odds to win offensive rookie of the year.

Dallas Turner Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds

Let’s start with Turner, out of the University of Alabama. The Vikings took Turner shortly after the draft started with 14-straight offensive players being selected.

It was an unexpected turn of events, but the Vikings capitalized, securing one of the top defensive prospects in the draft with their second first-round pick of the draft.

Both FanDuel and DraftKings are tipping Turner as the leading candidate for the defensive rookie of the year, at +450.

Those odds are nearly twice as good as the next defensive rookie behind him, who happens to be Laiatu Latu. Latu got picked 15th by the Colts, two picks before the Vikings selected Dallas Turner.

Related: Mel Kiper Jr Not Impressed by Minnesota Vikings 2024 NFL Draft

Here’s something cool to note: Tyler Nubin, a former Gopher player who was drafted by the New York Giants as the 47th overall pick in the second round, is listed in the top 15 for best odds to win DROY (+3500).

JJ McCarthy Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds

The Vikings shook things up a little bit by trading up in the draft to snag the 10th overall pick. Their target? A potential franchise quarterback who just clinched a national championship with Michigan.

All signs point to McCarthy being a serious contender for the Vikings’ starting QB role and a strong rival to Caleb Williams in the race for offensive rookie of the year.

It’s worth mentioning that McCarthy’s odds of winning the award are higher compared to someone like Drake Maye, who was picked 3rd overall in the draft by the Patriots, just 7 spots before McCarthy.

Related: Will J.J. McCarthy Start Right Away?

The crucial factor here could very well be the supporting cast on offense for each player, as well as the coaching staff. If Maye had landed with the Vikings instead, he might have similar or even better odds than McCarthy currently does.