Dustin Baker’s Vikings Mock Draft 1.0 | 2024
Dustin Baker
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The Minnesota Vikings own nine picks heading into the 2024 NFL Draft. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has much more capital this year than last.
Minnesota needs a quarterback after Kirk Cousins departed a week and a half ago, and most expect Adofo-Mensah to trade up in the draft for a Top 4 prospect.
Dustin Baker’s Vikings Mock Draft 1.0 | 2024
So, here’s the best stab at a predictive mock draft for the 2024 Vikings. One trade was made with the New England Patriots.
Trade: The Vikings send the 11th and 23rd picks, plus a 2025 1st-Rounder, to the New England Patriots for the 3rd overall pick.
Round 1: Drake Maye (QB)
Pick Number = 3rd
College = North Carolina
This is it. The Vikings make their big splash during life after Kirk Cousins, trading up the draftboard for Maye, who already has ties to Minnesota’s coaching staff through quarterbacks coach Josh McCown.
Of all rookie quarterbacks, Maye will fit in Kevin O’Connell’s offense the most swimmingly, able to launch the rock all over the field while showcasing decent mobility. He’s 21, 6’5″, has a sweet arm, and is a good character guy, too.
The Maye Era in Minneapolis begins. Mayesota.
Round 4: Bucky Irving (RB)
Pick Number = 108
College = Oregon
Aaron Jones lessened the Vikings’ urgency for a running back fix, but he’s only scheduled to be in town for a year. He’ll also turn 30 in December. Irving isn’t a speedster, nor is he huge, but his strength is just what the doctor ordered for Minnesota’s long-term RB plans.
Round 4: Luke McCaffrey (WR)
Pick Number = 129th
College = Rice
Bloodline players always seem to thrive in the NFL, and wouldn’t you know it? Minnesota needs a WR3. McCaffrey is a contested-catch savant, stands 6’2,” and ran a 4.47 forty at the 2024 NFL Combine.
Had the Vikings signed a player like Tyler Boyd this offseason, perhaps this pick would be different, but let’s lock in McCaffrey as a long-term WR3 candidate.
Round 5: Justin Eboigbe (DT)
Pick Number = 157th
College = Alabama
Alabama players rarely enter the NFL and utterly flop, and Minnesota needs DT depth. Many thought the Vikings would invest in an impact defensive tackle during free agency. But nope. They signed Jerry Tillery, Jonah Williams, and Jonathan Bullard. Mid-tier solutions.
Eboigbe is strong and has a high motor. Pair him with Jaquelin Roy as young Vikings DTs and hope one emerges before too long.
Round 5: Zak Zinter (OG)
Pick Number = 167th
College = Michigan
This is the perfect candidate to vie for an LG spot this summer versus Blake Brandel, who seems poised to start for the 2024 Vikings.
Pro Football Network‘s A.J. Schulte said about Zinter’s draft profile, “Zinter is a starting-caliber offensive lineman in the NFL. While his relatively average athletic ability limits his ceiling at the next level, his good play strength and very good base of fundamentals give him a role in the NFL as a starting-caliber player.”
We’ll take it.
Round 6: Hunter Nourzad (C)
Pick Number = 177th
College = Penn State
There are two years left on Garrett Bradbury’s current deal, and it’s time to start developing his replacement. Minnesota need not spend 1st-Round draft capital on a center again, so Nourzad can mature behind the scenes and possibly take over in 2025 or 2026.
Round 7: Sundiata Anderson (EDGE)
Pick Number = 230th
College = Grambling State
The Vikings need EDGE depth, and if they don’t draft any such players, they’ll likely use spring and summer free agency to fill out the depth chart.
Anderson may also be available in undrafted free agency, but nevertheless, keep an eye on him late in the draft.
Round 7: Quinton Newsome (CB)
Pick Number = 232nd
College = Nebraska
Newsome has some versatility to play outside and in the slot, so Minnesota buys a lottery ticket on this Cornhusker.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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