Vikings Sign 3 Rookies
When the Vikings entered the 2024 draft, their main objective was to acquire a quarterback who could become the new franchise quarterback long-term and possibly even challenge Sam Darnold in 2024. That player was selected 10th overall when general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah traded up for J.J. McCarthy. Star defender Dallas Turner joined about an hour later, once again after trading up.
Vikings Sign 3 Rookies
After skipping the second day of the draft because of a lack of draft picks, Adofo-Mensah continued to execute his draft plan on day three by choosing cornerback Khyree Jackson. He then added two players each in rounds six and seven.
Three of them have signed their contracts with the purple team. Those deals are mainly a matter of time, as the total compensation and the duration is set. Some detailed language can still be negotiated, as well as the guaranteed money.
On Friday, the Vikings announced the agreements with kicker Will Reichard, offensive lineman Michael Jurgens, and defensive tackle Levi Drake Rodriguez.
Reichard was a rare drafted kicker. He finished his collegiate career as the NCAA’s all-time points leader and is a reliable short and medium-range kicker. The Alabama prospect also hit 10 of 13 kicks from 50 or more yards. The knock on his game is his lack of leg strength, but having someone who consistently hits his kicks is important; hitting kicks from 60 yards out is just a sweet extra.
Former XFL kicker John Parker Romo will challenge him in training camp. He shined with the San Antonio Brahmas last spring and possesses that powerful leg, so it is guaranteed to be an intriguing competition in August.
Jurgens played center and guard at Wake Forest. Garrett Bradbury is the team’s established center, but backup Austin Schlottmann is no longer under contract. Another relevant aspect is that the left guard spot has been vacant since Dalton Risner’s departure.
Blake Brandel and Dan Feeney were signed, but Jurgens could be a surprise candidate for that role. He led all guards in the country in PFF’s run block grade and only allowed seven pressures all season.
Another area of concern on Minnesota’s roster is the interior defensive line. After missing out on the top guys in free agency and the draft, Adofo-Mensah acquired seventh-rounder Levi Drake Rodriguez.
The former Texas A&M Commerce standout has already been pegged as the team’s sleeper pick. He has an opportunity to make the team and impact Brian Flores’ defense. His competition is last year’s fifth-rounder, Jaquelin Roy, and veterans Jonathan Bullard, Jonah Williams, and Jerry Tillery.
The remaining draft choices will sign their deals in the next few months. Rarely lead those negotiations to holdouts or make noise until an agreement is announced.
Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and Classic rock is his music genre of choice. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt
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