Aug 16, 2013; Orchard Park, NY, USA; A general view a Minnesota Vikings helmet during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Bills beat the Vikings 20-16. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports.
The Minnesota Vikings walked away from Night No. 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft with two blue-chip prospects.
Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy headlined the event for Minnesota, joining the club at pick No. 10 after a trade with the New York Jets. About an hour later, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah moved up six spots on the draft ladder via trade and grabbed Alabama EDGE rusher Dallas Turner. The Vikings now have a quarterback and EDGE rusher of the future while not sacrificing future 1st-Round draft capital.
However, Adofo-Mensah indeed spent draft picks, so much so that the rest of this year’s draft piggybank and next year’s diminished substantially. Minnesota obtained the 10th overall pick from the New York, plus a 6th-Rounder on Saturday, in exchange for the 11th pick, a 4th-Rounder and a 5th-Rounder. Then, Minnesota shipped the 23rd overall pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars along with a 2025 3rd-Round pick, a 2024 4th-Rounder, and a 2024 5th-Round selection.
As it stands, Adofo-Mensah has zero picks on Friday night, with five around the bend on Saturday. These are the picks — all scheduled for Saturday:
This was a perk of not trading 2025 or 2026 1st-Round draft capital to the New England Patriots, for example, but it is the drawback of landing McCarthy and Turner. There was a hefty price — in the form of non-1st-Rounders.
Unless something changes mightily on Friday afternoon or evening, the Vikings are basically stuck for Friday night’s purposes, showcasing little ammunition to move up in Rounds 2 and 3. The club would have to package multiple Saturday picks, existing veteran players, or 2025/2026 draft capital to move up the board.
For those keeping score at home, this was the price for McCarthy and Turner, including the trade on March 15th with the Houston Texans:
The Vikings Got:
J.J. McCarthy
Dallas Turner
6th-Rounder (2024)
7th-Rounder (2024)
The Vikings Gave:
No. 11
2nd-Rounder (2024)
2nd-Rounder (2025)
3rd-Rounder (2025)
4th-Rounder (2024)
4th-Rounder (2025)
5th-Rounder (2024)
5th-Rounder (2024)
6th-Rounder (2024)
Minnesota has a handful of roster priorities with six rounds left in the draft, such as defensive tackle, interior offensive line, and arguably cornerback + WR3. And with a 4th, two 6ths, and two 7ths remaining, it’s a longshot to fill those needs sans trade(s). Expect Minnesota to revisit the veteran free agent market and, of course, the undrafted free agent wire.
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.