Sep 30, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Cooper DeJean (3) scores a touchdown on a punt return against the Michigan State Spartans during the fourth quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.
We are just days away from the 2024 NFL draft. I published my first mock draft at the end of March, and now, with a few more weeks of information digested, this is my second and final Vikings mock draft for this year.
Like last time, these are not predictions, but what I would do if I were calling the shots in Minnesota. The 2024 draft will be one of the most important in Minnesota for years and promises to define the current regime’s success (or not). We start the same way we did last time.
Trade: Minnesota sends the 11th overall pick, a 1st in 2025, and a 3rd in 2026 to the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for the 5th overall pick.
A few things have to happen for this scenario to play out. Washington, New England, and Arizona all stick and pick, leaving Minnesota’s draft QB4 on the board. Can the Vikings get away with not using pick 23 in a trade-up? That will depend on the level of desire for trading up for teams like the New York Giants and Denver Broncos. If the Vikings can pull it off and draft a quarterback and keep the 23rd pick, they can add a player for the defense. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will be cooking.
Round 1: Pick 5 – JJ McCarthy (QB) Michigan
It feels like it’s down to Drake Maye or JJ McCarthy for the Vikings, with Maye seemingly the more popular choice. I’m swimming against the tide pounding the table McCarthy “no matter what” rather than the consolation prize if Minnesota can’t get Maye. Either way, picking at 5 means you are likely taking the one that’s left, which I’m assuming is McCarthy, but I wouldn’t be at all shocked if it ends up the other way around.
McCarthy is a born winner and has been successful on every step of his footballing journey. Is he the most talented of this year QB’s? No. Will he finish up with the best stats? Probably not. However, it would surprise me if he goes on to have the most successful career out of this year’s crop of QB’s
Alternatives: Drake Maye (QB)
Round 1: Pick 23 – Cooper DeJean (CB) Iowa
Think of a defensive back with the versatility of Josh Metellus but who can also play outside cornerback. Cooper DeJean and Brian Flores are a match made in heaven, and the former Hawkeye would be a lethal weapon in the hands of the Vikings DC. DeJean does it all, including having the ability to be a punt returner.
Alternatives: Jer’Zahn Newton (IDL), Laiatu Latu (Edge), Kool-Aid McKinstry (CB)
Round 4: Pick 108 – T’Vondre Sweat (iDL) Texas
T’Vondre Sweat is huge. That is the reason he garners excitement and doubt. At 6’4 and 362 lbs, Sweat has a size that can seldom be replicated. Conditioning is the key word. Can Sweat play regularly at that size in the NFL, and if he drops some weight, will he still be effective? He answered some of those questions with a much improved 2023 college season, but the doubts linger, explaining why his draft projections range from early second round until Day 3. If the Vikings can pick him up here, he is well worth a gamble on.
Alternatives: Michael Hall Jr (IDL), Jamari Thrash (WR)
Round 4: Pick 129 – DeWayne Carter (IDL) Duke
The iDL needs some serious attention in Minnesota, so I go back to back at the position here. After gambling on Sweat’s physical traits, we go for the much smaller (6’3, 305 lbs) DeWayne Carter. A three-time captain at Duke, Carter brings versatility, consistency, and a good football IQ with a good pass-rush repertoire.
Alternatives: Leonard Taylor III (IDL), Theo Johnson (TE), Brenden Rice (WR)
Trade: Minnesota sends picks 157 and 177 to the New York Jets for pick 134 and a 6th in 2025.
Another trade, this time moving up to the back end of the fourth round by giving the Jets a fifth and the first pick of the sixth. With the previous trade leaving Minnesota with only four draft picks in 2025, bringing in the Jets’ sixth next year starts to build the Vikings’ draft stock back up.
Round 4: Pick 134 – Beaux Limmer (C) Arkansas
What is the trade for? A center. Garrett Bradbury has done okay for the Vikings but hasn’t got near to fulfilling his first-round billing. Taking Beaux Limmer here starts the process of looking at moving on from Bradbury. Limmer is a similar center to Bradbury in style and stature and may have similar difficulties in pass protection. However, those difficulties may be easier to stomach at a cheaper cost in both draft capital and dollars. Bradbury will start this season while the Vikings weigh whether Limmer can be the next man up.
Alternatives: Luke McCaffrey (WR), Zak Zinter (G)
Round 5: Pick 167 – Javontae Jean-Baptiste (EDGE) Notre Dame
The Vikings need to add to their ranks on the edge, and this feels like the right point in the draft to do it. In Javontae Jean-Baptiste, they get a good all-around player who can rush the passer and is solid against the run.
Alternatives: Nelson Caeser (Edge), JD Bertrand (LB)
Round 7: Pick 230 – Donovan Jennings (OT) USF
Donovan Jennings is an experienced OL prospect with 54 college football games under his belt. He is reportedly working on transitioning to play guard with the option of being an emergency swing tackle. Jennings would give the Vikings a player with experience and flexibility to add to the mix.
Alternatives: Charles Turner (C), Layden Robinson (G)
Round 7: Pick 232 – Will Reichard (K) Alabama
Minnesota has signed John Parker Romo, but I’m not sure about plucking a kicker from the UFL and anointing him as the starter. Drafting one of the top rookies and having a camp battle makes sense.
Alternatives: Cam Little (K), Harrison Mevis (K), Joshua Karty (K)